Indications And Usage

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of itching, or hives on the skin. Hydroxyzine may be used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Since hydroxyzine also reduces activity in the central nervous system, it can be used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. It is also used together with other medications given during and after general anesthesia.

Hydroxyzine is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Administration

Usual Adult Dose for : Anxiety Oral: 50 to 100 mg orally 4 times a day

Atopic Dermatitis :Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Pruritus: Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Urticaria: Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Sedation: Oral: 50 to 100 mg orally ONCE daily

Usual Pediatric Dose for : Sedation Children Oral: 0.6 mg/kg orally ONCE daily

Anxiety-Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

Atopic Dermatitis -Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

Pruritus  : Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

Urticaria : -Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

-Over 6 years: Nausea/Vomiting

Children: Parenteral: 1.1 mg/kg IM ONCE 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses

Contraindications

Hydroxyzine, when administered to the pregnant mouse, rat, and rabbit, induced fetal abnormalities in the rat and mouse at doses substantially above the human therapeutic range. Clinical data in human beings are inadequate to establish safety in early pregnancy. Until such data are available, hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy.

Hydroxyzine is contraindicated for patients who have shown a previous hypersensitivity to it.

Precautions

The potentiating action of Hydroxyzine must be considerd when the drug is used in conjuction with central nervous system depressant such as narcotics, non-narcotic analgesics and barbiturates. Therefore when central nervous system depressants are administered concomitantly with hydroxyzine their dosage should be reduced.

Since drowsiness may occur with use of this drug, patients should be warned of this possibility and cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking hydroxyzine. Patients should be advised against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs, and cautioned that the effect of alcohol may be increased.

Adverse Reactions

Side effects reported with the administration of (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) are usually mild and transitory in nature.

Pregnancy and lactation

Clinical data in human beings are inadequate to establish safety in early pregnancy. Until such data are available, hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy.

Renal and liver Impairment

The extent of renal excretion of Hydoroxyzine has not been determined. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selections.

Laboratory Tests