Atarax 10mg Tablet: View Uses, Side Effects, Price and Substitutes | 1mg (2024)

FAQs

How much Atarax should I take for anxiety? ›

Hydroxyzine is used to help control anxiety and tension caused by nervous and emotional conditions. It can also be used to help control anxiety and produce sleep before surgery. This medicine is also used to relieve symptoms of allergic conditions (eg, chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses).

As with other antihistamines, hydroxyzine can cause drowsiness. This may be helpful for people struggling with insomnia, but it may interfere with various activities, such as driving. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine pamoate are both available as lower-cost generics.

Atarax is also used for symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested. Benadryl is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC) while Atarax is available by prescription.

Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) and alprazolam (Xanax) are two commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications. Both medications kick in quickly and share some common side effects, such as drowsiness and dry mouth. Alprazolam — especially high doses — can be habit-forming, but hydroxyzine does not have this risk.

You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation. This medicine may cause a serious skin condition called acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).

Hydroxyzine has the potential to block hERG channels and other types of cardiac channels, resulting in a potential risk of QT interval prolongation and cardiac arrhythmia events.

After you take a dose of hydroxyzine, your kidneys and liver break down and get rid of the drug. If you have a kidney or liver problem, your body may not break down hydroxyzine as well. This can cause the level of the drug in your body to become too high, which increases your risk of side effects.

Official answer. Atarax was most likely discontinued in the US due to business reasons by its manufacturer. It was not removed from the market for safety or effectiveness reasons, according to the FDA. A generic version of Atarax known as hydroxyzine hydrochloride is available in the US and is very affordable.

What should I avoid while taking hydroxyzine? ›

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants.

Taking other CNS depressants with hydroxyzine can increase your risk for serious side effects, such as trouble breathing. Examples of CNS depressants include: opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin) certain sleep medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien)

Your hydroxyzine dosage can depend on your age, medical conditions, and why you're taking it. Most adults take between 25 mg and 100 mg of hydroxyzine 3 to 4 times a day. Children's hydroxyzine dosages are generally much lower than what's used for adults.

Hydroxyzine is an H1 antihistamine used in the treatment of itching, antiemetics or to calm nerves. However, the use of this product requires certain guidelines to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

Monoamine Transporters in Health and Disease

Hydroxyzine easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier, and blocks various dopamine and 5-HT receptors. Therefore sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects are observed.

Before taking hydroxyzine oral tablets, tell your doctor about any heart problems you have. Hydroxyzine can cause abnormal heart rhythms and low blood pressure. Your risk for these side effects is higher if you already have heart problems before taking hydroxyzine.

How quickly does it work? Hydroxyzine starts to work quickly, usually within the first 15 to 30 minutes after you take a dose. Side effects like drowsiness, dry eyes, blurred vision, or a dry mouth, may occur quickly too. Sometimes, people can feel nauseous or have stomach upset when they take this medicine.

The initial dose of hydroxyzine to help with sleep in adults is 25mg to be taken at night, every night, up to a maximum daily dose of 100mg. Its use is not recommended in the elderly, but if it is prescribed, the maximum dose should be 50mg. A dose of 25mg hydroxyzine at bedtime may: reduce sleep onset time.

For treating anxiety, you'll likely start with a total daily dosage of 50 mg to 100 mg of hydroxyzine, taken in divided doses. This means you'll take 12.5-mg to 25-mg doses two to four times per day. The maximum recommended dosage for treating anxiety in adults is 100 mg, taken up to four times per day.

The half-life is between 16-24 hours, but it may be shorter in children and longer in older adults or people with impaired kidney or liver function. Because the effects peak at 2 hours, hydroxyzine may be prescribed to be taken 3-4 times per day, or every 6-8 hours.