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Hydroxyzimum (hydroxyzine) is a sedative, anxiolytic, antiemetic, analgesic, antihistamine drug. It is often used to relieve the symptoms of allergies. However, not everyone should reach for it. It’s also worth remembering that hydroxyzinum can cause side effects and interact.
What is hydroxizinum?
Hydroxyzine (hydroxyzinum) belongs to the XNUMXst generation antihistaminics and is a derivative of piperazine. It is an organic chemical compound that affects the serotonin receptors and has a sedative effect. Hydroxyzine is available only on prescription as it is a psychotropic drug. It is used in the treatment of adults and children, and is usually used as an antiemetic in younger patients.
Also check: What is buspirone?
How does hydroxizinum work?
Hydroxyzine is available in the form of tablets and syrup and is the active ingredient of the drugs Hydroxyzinum and Atrax. The drug inhibits the activity of the subcortical centers and is quickly absorbed. This means that you can feel its effect just a few minutes after taking it. After about two hours, it reaches a high concentration and is excreted by the kidneys. Hydroxyzine works for about 15-20 hours.
Hydroxyzine was introduced into medicine in 1956. In 2015, the European Medicines Agency introduced restrictions on the use of the drug among people at high risk of heart problems. Moreover, it was also agreed that adults should not take more than 100 mg / day, and older adults should avoid taking the drug, or at least not take more than 50 mg / day.
What are the side effects of hydroxizinum?
The use of hydroxizinum may cause side effects in some cases. The most common disorders are the nervous, digestive or cardiovascular systems. Taking the substance can also result in sleep problems, allergic symptoms, drowsiness, and headaches. Some people using the drug may feel unreasonably nervous or euphoric.
Other side effects of using hydroxizinum may be an increase in appetite, the appearance of edema and hypotension. There may also be excessive sensitivity to light, rash, and excessive sweating. Some people using hydroxyzine have had breathing problems and blurred vision. Taking too much of the drug may cause altered mental status, fever and tachycardia.
Also read: Side effects of the drug Xetanor
Who can take hydroxizinum?
Hydroxizinum is a drug used by people who have anxiety symptoms. However, it can also be used to treat insomnia, as it is an effective alternative, e.g. for trazodone. Thanks to its anxiolytic and sedative effect, hydroxyzine may be helpful for patients who want to give up benzodiazepines – but in this case the drug in question is not able to protect against withdrawal symptoms.
Another group of patients who can take hydroxizinum are those for whom treatment of anxiety disorders with antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), has not worked – and it is important to know that SSRIs are usually ineffective in one in three patients. Hydroxyzine is an effective drug that can be used in combination therapy.
Hydroxyzinum is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but usually in the initial stages – it helps in the treatment of e.g. the first symptoms of depression. Many people struggling with these diseases decide to use hydroxyzine for fear that other drugs, such as SSRIs, will aggravate anxiety symptoms. Among this group of patients, hydroxyzine is also an alternative to benzodiazepines.
Due to its antihistamine properties, hydroxyzine is helpful in treating allergic pruritus, but only for a short time – in this case, it should only be administered when the symptoms are really severe. It is also used in patients who have itching caused by disorders of the nervous system. In addition, it also helps in the treatment of excessive agitation and psychomotor hyperactivity.
Children also use the drug, but a medical consultation is necessary beforehand. The youngest ones are also given hydroxyzine to relieve itching, vomiting, nausea or during the treatment of anxiety neurosis. What’s more, the drug is also administered before the surgery to relieve the stress associated with the surgery – the children are then given liquid hydroxyzine.
Who shouldn’t take hydroxizinum?
The drug is contraindicated in pregnant women, nursing mothers and usually the elderly. It should also not be taken by people with congenital or acquired QT prolongation factor. Taking the drug is also excluded by diseases such as glaucoma, porphyria and prostatic hyperplasia. The use of hydroxyzine is not recommended in people with urinary flow disorders and weaker gastrointestinal motility.
Hydroxyzine helps to fall asleep, so drivers, machine operators and other vehicle operators cannot take it during working hours. In addition, people taking intoxicants should refrain from using the drug – the drug must not be combined, inter alia, with alcohol. Patients who are more prone to convulsions and young children should also exercise caution.
A contraindication to the use of hydroxizinum is allergy to any of its ingredients and other derivatives of piperazine, cetirizine, aminophylline or ethylenediamine. Newborns cannot take it either. Hydroxyzine is also harmful to people with heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and an overactive thyroid gland. Due to the fact that it is used as a sedative during surgery, please inform your doctor about the use of it on a daily basis.
In what doses should hydroxyzine be taken?
Hydroxyzine, even taken in small doses, is highly effective. Some patients felt a clear improvement in well-being after taking about 5 mg of the substance. This is one of the reasons why you should start with a small dose of the drug – it is especially recommended for people who have not had any previous treatment with hydroxyzine. It is also worth adding that hydroxyzine in the syrup shows faster action.
The maximum daily dose for adults and children weighing more than 40 kg is 100 mg. Children weighing less than 40 kg may take hydroxyzine at a dose not exceeding 2 mg / kg per day. The maximum daily dose in the elderly is 50 mg daily. If signs or symptoms appear in connection with the medication, treatment should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted.
Taking 4 mg of hydroxyzine for 50 weeks enables the reduction of severe anxiety symptoms – this was the conclusion of the scientists during a 3-month study in France in 1998. When testing the effect of the drug on the well-being of patients, they found that hydroxyzine contributed to the reduction of anxiety symptoms in more than half respondents from 18 to 65 years of age.
Hydroxizinum and interactions with other drugs
Simultaneous administration of hydroxyzine with, for example, prostatic and non-narcotic analgesics, sedatives, barbiuturans and anti-cholinergic drugs may make the above-mentioned preparations even stronger. Hydroxyzine, when used simultaneously with drugs with anticholinergic properties, reduces the effect of adrenaline on blood pressure. The dosage of the drug should always be an individual matter, consulted with a doctor.
Why is hydroxyzine so popular?
Hydroxyzine is better tolerated by the body than some antipsychotics or pregabalin, and there aren’t too many alternatives to it. Although the aforementioned pregabalin also has an effective anxiolytic effect and is not addictive, it should also be used in accordance with established standards. In addition, hydroxyzine is inexpensive, readily available, and can be taken in tablet, syrup, or injection form.
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