Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion, hallucinations)
, shaking (tremor), difficulty urinating, fast/irregular heartbeat.
How long can dogs be on hydroxyzine?
In many instances it will need to be combined with a corticosteroid. Hydroxyzine is effective for
six to eight hours
in the dog. Hydroxyzine is used in cats with feline symmetrical alopecia of allergic origin, miliary dermatitis, and eosinophilic granuloma complex.
What are the most common side effects of hydroxyzine?
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- difficulty with swallowing.
- fast heartbeat.
- hives, itching, or skin rash.
- irregular or slow heart rate.
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue.
- shortness of breath.
Is hydroxyzine or Benadryl better for dogs?
Diphenhydramine has a sedative effect on dogs, so don’t be surprised if your dog becomes quite drowsy and quiet with each dose.
Hydroxyzine is prescribed for long-term use in dogs with an atopy allergy
. It works very well in dogs with seasonal allergies who can’t avoid their triggers.
Is hydroxyzine the same as Benadryl?
Generally speaking,
hydroxyzine is an antihistamine related to over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Benadryl and Zyrtec
that are used to treat symptoms of allergies and colds such as runny nose and itchy or watery eyes.
Can hydroxyzine cause psychosis?
The authors summarize that hydroxyzine is an effective drug for the treatment of anxiety and tension, but patients should be informed that
abrupt withdrawal of hydroxyzine can be associated with psychotic symptoms
.
Is 25mg of hydroxyzine strong?
The recommended dose of Vistaril for treating itch (pruritus) is 25 mg, 3 or 4 times daily
. For sedation, the recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg.
Why was Atarax discontinued?
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.
Is Xanax Stronger than hydroxyzine?
The authors were able to determine that
alprazolam was more effective than hydroxyzine for pre-surgery anxiety
. While there are no available studies directly comparing these two medications for anxiety disorders, there is a study that compared hydroxyzine to a different benzodiazepine — bromazepam — in people with GAD.
Is hydroxyzine the same thing as Xanax?
Hydroxyzine and Xanax belong to different drug classes
. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties and Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine class. A brand name for hydroxyzine is Vistaril.
What drugs should not be taken with hydroxyzine?
Certain medications (e.g.,
sotalol, quinidine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, droperidol, pimozide, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, probucol, tacrolimus
) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation and should not be used in combination with hydroxyzine.
Can a dog overdose on hydroxyzine?
Overdose / acute toxicity:
Fine, rapid tremors and rarely seizures will also occur with overdoses
. There is no specific antidote available. Treatment consists of supportive and symptomatic care. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet may have received an overdose of hydroxyzine.
Can a dog overdose on sucralfate?
Overdoses of sucralfate are not usually serious
. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility.
Can dogs take hydroxyzine for anxiety?
Hydroxyzine HCl is not FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine; however,
it is a commonly accepted practice for veterinarians to prescribe this medication for dogs and cats
. Hydroxyzine HCl is an antihistamine which is useful to treat allergic conditions that affect the skin such as hives, itching, and rashes.
What is the most effective antihistamine for dogs?
Also recommended as an antihistamine for dogs is
clemastine fumarate
. It is one of the most effective antihistamines for dogs that suffer from itchy skin.
Can dogs take hydroxyzine pamoate?
Hydroxyzine pamoate (available as capsules) is a prescription antihistamine that is
useful to treat allergic conditions in dogs and cats
that affect the skin such as hives, itching, and rashes.
Is Atarax safe for dogs?
What is hydroxyzine? Hydroxyzine (brand names: Atarax®, Vistaril®, Masmoran®, Multipax®) is an antihistamine used to treat allergic and itchy conditions or as a sedative/tranquilizer.
Its use in cats, dogs, ferrets, horses, and birds to treat itchiness is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’
.
What is an alternative to hydroxyzine?
There are other medications that might be better tolerated and have stronger evidence to help with anxiety than hydroxyzine (Vistaril).
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine (Prozac)
, are commonly the first-choice options for anxiety.
Which is better Ativan or hydroxyzine?
Ativan (lorazepam) is an effective medicine for occasional or short-term anxiety
. It’s less likely to have drug interactions, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms compared to similar drugs. Atarax (hydroxyzine) helps relieve itching and/or anxiety while helping you to sleep.
Can hydroxyzine worsen anxiety?
One study also suggests cetirizine and hydroxyzine have a greater chance of causing anxiety and mood changes than other antihistamines
. Hydroxyzine can also be used to treat anxiety conditions. So if you notice your symptoms worsen after starting this medication, contact your provider to discuss it further.
How long does it take for hydroxyzine to wear off?
Hydroxyzine’s half-life is about
14 hours
. So it takes about 14 hours for your body to get rid of half of a dose of hydroxyzine. Typically, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your system. For hydroxyzine, this means the drug will stay in your system for about 70 hours after your last dose.
Does hydroxyzine help muscle spasms?
Hydroxyzine has demonstrated bronchodilator activity (opening up of the airways); antihistaminic (relieves symptoms of allergy including itch), antiemetic (relieves nausea and vomiting), and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects; as well as
skeletal muscle relaxation
.
Can you take hydroxyzine and Benadryl together?
Because it is an antihistamine—like Benadryl—hydroxyzine is sometimes prescribed to relieve symptoms of allergic reactions. However,
hydroxyzine and Benadryl should not be used together
. Hydroxyzine typically helps with skin-related symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching or hives.
