Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Tell your doctor if you have a fever, skin rash, or worsening of skin problems after using this medicine. This medicine may cause a serious skin condition called acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
The typical hydroxyzine dosage for this use in adults is 50 to 100 mg. For this use, the total maximum dose of hydroxyzine in 24 hours is 400 mg. The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.
Hydroxyzine for Motion Sickness
Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving hydroxyzine injection as scheduled. If you miss a dose of oral hydroxyzine, take it as soon as you remember. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with hydroxyzine. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop hydroxyzine. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use hydroxyzine later in pregnancy.
What’s the maximum dose of hydroxyzine in 24 hours?
If you’re experiencing sleep difficulties, options like melatonin supplements, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and practicing good sleep hygiene may be beneficial. Taking steps to avoid known allergens and using air purifiers to reduce exposure to airborne irritants can also help minimize symptoms and improve overall comfort. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another highly effective option. To manage anxiety, alternatives to Hydroxyzine include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft).
Alternatives for Allergic Reactions
Common side effects may include drowsiness and a dry mouth. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not take hydroxyzine if pregnant or breastfeeding. Hydroxyzine also adds to the effects of the tricyclic class of antidepressants, for example Although, both hydroxyzine and cetirizine act as antihistamines, hydroxyzine causes more sedation than cetirizine.
Hydroxyzine’s dual role as an antihistamine and anxiolytic makes it a versatile ally against allergies and anxiety—but its power demands prudence. Generic hydroxyzine is typically cheaper and equally effective. Hydroxyzine’s therapeutic benefits are counterbalanced by significant risks in specific populations and drug combinations.
What Are Side Effects of Vistaril?
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first. Hydroxyzine can interact with other medications, potentially increasing side effects or reducing the effectiveness of one or both drugs. Hydroxyzine’s versatility stems from its ability to address multiple conditions, from allergic reactions to preoperative anxiety. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Hydroxyzine is used to help manage anxiety symptoms and itchiness due to allergic conditions in children of all ages.
Overdose Risks & Emergency Steps
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker Does interact with other drugs you are taking? In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using hydroxyzine.
You can also schedule a telemedicine appointment with one of our providers to explore these options in greater detail. It’s important to consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. The medication can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or other side effects in a nursing infant. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is crucial to discuss your options with your healthcare provider. Our telemedicine providers are available to address your concerns.
What strengths does hydroxyzine oral tablet come in?
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. If your Hydroxyzine guide dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Hydroxyzine is also approved to provide sedation (a state of relaxation) before surgery or other medical procedures. Hydroxyzine is also approved to help treat itching caused by conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema). In some cases, doctors may prescribe different dosages from those shown below. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Hydroxyzine comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken up to four times per day.
Nutrition & Supplements
- Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia.
- As a sedative when used as premedication and following general anesthesia, Hydroxyzine may potentiate meperidine (Demerol®) and barbiturates, so their use in pre-anesthetic adjunctive therapy should be modified on an individual basis.
- Vistaril is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
- Side effects reported with the administration of Vistaril are usually mild and transitory in nature.
Other reported signs and symptoms were convulsions, stupor, nausea and vomiting. The most common manifestation of overdosage of Vistaril is hypersedation. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Cases of QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been reported during post-marketing use of hydroxyzine.
- Tell your doctor if you have a fever, skin rash, or worsening of skin problems after using this medicine.
- The effectiveness of hydroxyzine as an antianxiety agent for long-term use, that is, more than 4 months, has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies.
- This medicine is also used to relieve symptoms of allergic conditions (eg, chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses).
- You may report side effects to the FDA at FDA-1088.
- A contraindication refers to a specific condition or situation in which using a particular medication could be harmful.
This will help them know if hydroxyzine is right for you. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Keep hydroxyzine out of the reach of children. Do not share hydroxyzine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Hydroxyzine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and Vistaril’s clinical effects are usually noted within 15 to 30 minutes after oral administration. Pharmacological and clinical studies indicate that hydroxyzine in therapeutic dosage does not increase gastric secretion or acidity and in most cases has mild antisecretory activity. Hydroxyzine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to hydroxyzine products, and in patients with known hypersensitivity to cetirizine hydrochloride or levocetirizine hydrochloride. Hydroxyzine pamoate is contraindicated for patients who have shown a previous hypersensitivity to any component of this medication.
These medications are typically administered in controlled settings to ensure safety and effectiveness. When sedation is required for medical procedures, alternatives such as midazolam (Versed) or propofol may be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. If you use Hydroxyzine to manage motion sickness, alternatives include medications like meclizine (Antivert).
Inform patients about the signs of AGEP, and discontinue hydroxyzine at the first appearance of a skin rash, worsening of pre-existing skin reactions which hydroxyzine may be used to treat, or any other sign of hypersensitivity. The majority of reports occurred in patients with other risk factors for QT prolongation/TdP (pre-existing heart disease, electrolyte imbalances or concomitant arrhythmogenic drug use). Since drowsiness may occur with use of the drug, patients should be warned of this possibility and cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate). Clinically significant respiratory depression has not been reported at recommended doses.