Hydroxyzine is a chemical compound of organic origin. As a drug, it has sedative and antisensitizing effects. In 1956, it was synthesized and put on the pharmaceutical market. It is most commonly used in psychiatry as a sedative and nervous system inhibitor. Because of hydroxyzine's psychotropic properties, it can be purchased at a pharmacy, by prescription only.
Hydroxyzine in medicine
- Hydroxyzine acting on the central nervous system belongs to the sedative and anti-anxiety drugs. At the same time, it has an antihistamine and analgesic effect. It is sold in the form of syrup or tablets, doctors prescribe it to both adults and children. Hydroxyzine is intended for treatment:
- excessive tension
- anxieties
- anxieties
- neurotic disorders
- psychotic disorders
- psychomotor agitation
- before and after medical procedures, as a sedative
Hydroxyzine is also administered to patients suffering from itchy skin, atopic dermatitis or contact eczema. For children, it is prescribed to relieve anxiety and physical itching of the skin. The dosage of the drug is always determined by the doctor depending on the age, weight and type of ailment the patient is suffering from.
Hydroxyzine dosage in the treatment of
The duration of hydroxyzine use from the patient's perspective should be as short as possible. Therefore, doctors usually assign the lowest possible, but effective dose of the preparation. The highest dose recommended for adults and children weighing more than 40kg is 100mg of the active substance. For children and adolescents of lower body weight, the daily dose of hydroxyzine, which is 2 mg per kilogram of the patient's body weight, should not be exceeded. Each patient taking hydroxyzine should pay attention to the unit content per tablet.
The advantage of the preparation in the form of syrup applied orally is the speed of its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of the drug begins already after 5-10 minutes after taking the drug. The duration of the effect of hydroxyzine and its presence in the blood is 7-10 hours in adults, but the effect of the drug lasts much longer, usually twice as long and is up to 21 hours. In children, the time of effect is shorter due to the rapid metabolic rate of the child body and is up to 7 hours.
When a patient happens to overdose on a medication, they should contact their doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose are usually:
- feeling of extreme drowsiness
- fainting
- nausea
- vomiting
When using hydroxyzine, moreover, like other drugs with sedative and anti-anxiety effects, you should always be very careful.
Contraindications to the use of hydroxyzine
However, not all people can and should take hydroxyzine. People who are sensitive to the ingredients of the preparation should not use it, pregnant women and during lactation, people suffering from various allergies and intolerances to the active or auxiliary substance contained in the drug. Also considered as a contraindication to use some of the diseases or conditions, such as glaucoma, porphyria, impaired peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, disorders in the outflow of urine from the bladder. During the use of hydroxyzine should not drink alcohol, which can cause the appearance of side effects.
When preparing to prescribe hydroxyzine to a patient, the physician is first required to obtain information about the patient's current medical condition, specifically excluding:
- kidney and liver diseases
- diseases related to thyroid function
- seizures
- heart rhythm disorders
- hypertension
- prostate enlargement
- asthma
- breathing problems
- ulcers
- intestinal obstruction
Side effects of taking hydroxyzine
People who are poorly tolerant of the components of hydroxyzine are most likely to experience headaches, drowsiness, and dry mouth. In the case of really poor tolerance to the drug, the side effects of its use are even more severe, and may manifest as complaints coming from:
- nervous system, such as drowsiness, trouble sleeping, fatigue, headaches, nervousness, depression
- digestive system, such as nausea, abdominal pain, increased appetite, diarrhea
- cardiovascular system, such as edema, hypotension, atrial palpitations
Side effects can also take the form of:
- Dermatological problems such as rash or photosensitivity
- difficulty urinating
- excessive sweating
- visual disturbances
- respiratory problems
Hydroxyzine overdose leads to vomiting, tachycardia, fever, excessive drowsiness, or excessive sedation. There may be impaired coordination of movement, impaired consciousness, and impaired breathing. It can also lead to seizures, confusion, hallucinations, and cardiac disturbances or even circulatory collapse. The nature and severity of the side effects depends on how much you take in excess of the dose recommended by your doctor.
