Hydroxyzine Hcl (hydroxyzine HCl)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Hydroxyzine is a piperazine-derivative antihistamine.
Hydroxyzine is used for the symptomatic management of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneuroses and as an adjunct in patients with organic disease states who have associated anxiety; for the management of pruritus caused by allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria or atopic or contact dermatoses, and in histamine-mediated pruritus; and for its sedative effects before and after general anesthesia. The efficacy of hydroxyzine as an anxiolytic agent during long-term administration (i.e., longer than 4 months) has not been established; most clinicians believe that benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and meprobamate are more effective than hydroxyzine for anxiety. Patients with a history of long-term therapy with hydroxyzine should be evaluated periodically to determine the efficacy and need for further treatment.
Hydroxyzine should not be used as the sole agent for the treatment of depression or psychoses.
Generic name: hydroxyzine HCl
Pronunciation: (hye-DROX-i-zeen HYE-droe-KLOR-ide)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Hydroxyzine Hcl
Indications
The following indications are listed for Hydroxyzine Hcl:
- Allergic Dermatitis
- Anxiety
- Pruritus Of Skin
- Sedation As Adjunct To Anesthesia
- Urticaria
Also known as: Adjunct Sedation, Cnidosis, Itching Wheals, Itchy Skin Eruption, Nettle Rash, Pruritic Dermatitis, Uredo, Urticarial Rash, Urtication, Weal.
Dosing
Dosage of hydroxyzine hydrochloride or pamoate is expressed in terms of the hydrochloride. Dosage must be carefully adjusted according to individual requirements and response, using the lowest possible effective dosage.
For the symptomatic management of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneuroses and as an adjunct in patients with organic disease states who have associated anxiety, the usual adult oral dosage of hydroxyzine is 50-100 mg 4 times daily. The usual oral dosage of hydroxyzine for the symptomatic management of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneuroses and as an adjunct in organic disease states in children 6 years of age or older is 50-100 mg daily given in divided doses; for children younger than 6 years of age, the usual oral dosage is 50 mg daily given in divided doses.
For prompt control of acutely disturbed or hysterical patients and for the management of agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal, the usual adult IM dose of hydroxyzine is 50-100 mg. This dose may be repeated every 4-6 hours, as needed to control symptoms.
For the management of pruritus caused by allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria or atopic or contact dermatoses, and in histamine-mediated pruritus, the usual adult oral dosage of hydroxyzine is 25 mg 3 or 4 times daily. The usual oral dosage of hydroxyzine for the management of pruritus caused by allergic conditions in children 6 years of age or older is 50-100 mg daily given in divided doses; for children younger than 6 years of age, the usual oral dosage is 50 mg daily given in divided doses.
For sedation before and following general anesthesia, the usual adult dose of hydroxyzine is 50-100 mg orally or 25-100 mg IM. When used as a sedative before and following general anesthesia in children, the usual dose of hydroxyzine is 0.6 mg/kg orally or 1.1 mg/kg IM.
For control of nausea and vomiting (excluding nausea and vomiting of pregnancy), the usual initial IM dose of hydroxyzine is 25-100 mg in adults and 1.1 mg/kg in children. Subsequent dosage should be adjusted according to individual requirements and response.
For control of emesis, to permit reduction in opiate dosage, or to allay anxiety in prepartum and postpartum states, the usual initial adult IM dose of hydroxyzine is 25-100 mg. Subsequent dosage should be adjusted according to individual requirements and response.
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine pamoate are administered orally; hydroxyzine hydrochloride may also be administered by IM injection. Because severe adverse effects may occur, the drug must not be administered by subcutaneous, intra-arterial, or IV injection. (See Cautions: Local Effects.) Oral therapy should replace IM therapy as soon as possible.
For IM administration, the commercially available hydroxyzine injection is used without further dilution. The Z-track technique of injection may be used to prevent subcutaneous infiltration. For IM administration in adults, injection should be made preferably deep into the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus or the midlateral thigh. The deltoid area should be used with caution and only if well developed, in order to avoid radial nerve injury. IM injections should not be made into the lower and mid-third of the upper arm. For IM administration in children, injections should be made preferably into the midlateral muscles of the thigh; in infants and small children, the periphery of the upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus should be used only when necessary (e.g., burn patients), in order to minimize the possibility of damage to the sciatic nerve.
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Drug interactions
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There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
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There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
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There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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Although there are no adequate and controlled studies to date in humans, hydroxyzine has been shown to be teratogenic in mice, rats, and rabbits when given at dosages substantially greater than the therapeutic human dosage. Pending accumulation of further data regarding safety in pregnant women, hydroxyzine is contraindicated during early pregnancy.
It is not known whether hydroxyzine is distributed into milk. The manufacturers recommend that hydroxyzine not be given to nursing women.
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ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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