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If you have an upset stomach after taking hydroxyzine, you may want to take it with food. Your doctor or prescribing nurse will provide you with instructions on how often and when to take this medication, as well as the maximum amount to take in a day. As with all antihistamines, hydroxyzine works by reducing the effects of histamine . One ingredient in some cough suppressants called dextromethorphan can be especially dangerous because it can cause extreme sedation and respiratory depression.
If you or a loved one struggle withalcohol abuse, you may be curious about what drugs are used to help people withalcohol withdrawal syndrome, or AWS. Hydroxyzine is the generic name of a medication that goes by the brand name Vistaril. Previously, Hydroxyzine was used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Although, the method has been eliminated as there are better drugs of choice.
Long-Term Side Effects
To relieve dry mouth, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chew sugarless gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Must be warned against operating a motor vehicle or hazardous machinery. Children receiving hydroxyzine should be kept under observation by their parent or guardian for the remainder of the day.
If you’re concerned about changes in your weight while taking hydroxyzine, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. If you have questions about using hydroxyzine for a condition it isn’t approved to treat, talk with your doctor. If you’d like to know more about using hydroxyzine for dogs, talk with your veterinarian. Do not administer any medications to a pet without qualified medical guidance.
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine if hydroxyzine is right for you. However, the desire to self-medicate with alcohol to alleviate anxiety is risky.
Hydroxyzine Addiction, Abuse and Detox: What is it and How Can You Recover?
To find out if identification of optimal therapeutic window could work for your anxiety treatment, visit Minded and get a free assessment. Minded offers online appointments with board-certified psychiatrists and nurse practitioners. If you already have a hydroxyzine prescription, Minded can help you refill or renew it online. Our team of professionals can also assist with adjusting your dosage or advising you about other medications that might be a good fit for your needs. A 2017 study published in Neurology Clinical Practice also found that there is a risk of becoming dependent on or misusing Benadryl. However, as with benzodiazepines, this risk may be higher in people who have a history of addiction.
For this use, hydroxyzine is what’s known as a premedication. This is medication given before surgery to help relieve certain symptoms, such as anxiety. If you’re concerned about avoiding alcohol during your hydroxyzine treatment, talk with your doctor. Also, let your doctor know if you’ve had an allergic reaction to Zyrtec or Xyzal , which are similar to hydroxyzine. Your doctor will likely not prescribe hydroxyzine due to the risk of harm. If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to hydroxyzine, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.
If you’re having a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also get free 24/7 support from a suicide and crisis expert by calling or texting 988. If you’d prefer to chat online, you can chat with a suicide and crisis expert by visiting the Lifeline Chat. If anxiety is a long-term condition that is being treated, it can feel overwhelming to consider giving up alcohol forever.
Learn about the drug’s dosages, forms, strengths, uses, and more. This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication. Hydroxyzine oral tablets can interact with several other medications. They can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.
If you have questions about using hydroxyzine for an off-label condition, such as panic attacks, talk with your doctor. Controlled substances are drugs regulated by the government to prevent possible misuse. You can learn more about controlled substances at the Drug Enforcement Agency website.
- For example, it helps your immune system fight off infections.
- However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Hydroxyzine was once one of the drugs used to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome until the late 1960s.
- The drug comes in other dosage forms, like a liquid solution, that may be easier for you to take.
Refill medications and get certain necessary prescriptions. While not everyone ends up taking an anti-anxiety medication, it is important to understand how to safely take one when you do. If your symptoms are not improving or you have any questions about changing or stopping medication, reach out to your Ro-affiliated provider for guidance. Because hydroxyzine can be passed to your baby through breast milk, taking it while breastfeeding is not recommended. Talk to your doctor or the experts at Minded if you experience any of these or other side effects.
What is Hydroxyzine?
Medications used to treat insomnia or help you fall and stay asleep should never be mixed with alcohol. Antipsychotics may be prescribed for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The increase in prescriptions would indicate that abuse is also becoming more common. However, because this drug isn’t one that is typically abused, no studies have been done. You can find many instances of abuse by searching online forums likeBluelight and Reddit.
Individuals may also feel dizzy, have a hard time concentrating, and experience poor judgment and memory. Other symptoms, such as nausea, dry mouth, and upset stomach can become more severe. Many people who struggle with anxiety try to self-medicate their symptoms by drinking alcohol.
Antihistamines
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydroxyzine injection in the elderly. Hydroxyzine was one of the drugs often used to treat the symptoms of AWSuntil the late 1960s. Doctors did not know if any drug was better than the others in AWS because there were no major studies to compare the drugs. But in 1969, a study came out showing that the best drug to treat AWS was a drug called Librium, or chlordiazepoxide.
A patient feels like this is the best and the happiest time of his day. However, if you combine Hydroxyzine and alcohol, it can be addictive. Overdose with hydroxyzine is possible and can be life-threatening. Pairing it with alcohol can increase the risk of magnified side effects and risks. Use caution when drinking alcohol because hydroxyzine may increase the effects of alcohol.
Young children and older adults may have a higher risk of side effects from hydroxyzine. In both of these groups, doctors will likely prescribe a lower dose at the start of treatment. Like most drugs, hydroxyzine can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Side Effects
It’s very important that your child takes the exact dose of hydroxyzine prescribed for them. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Provide sedation before surgery or another medical procedure.