Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. It is approved for the treatment of anxiety. However, hydroxyzine is also used to treat difficulty sleeping, nausea, itching, and allergies.

Atarax is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of itching caused by allergies and anxiety. Atarax may be used alone or with other medications. Atarax belongs to a class of drugs called Antihistamines, 1st Generation, Antiemetic Agents, Antihistamines, Piperazine Derivatives.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Stop using Atarax and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as tremors, confusion, seizures, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

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. The dose to treat anxiety and tension is 50 to 100 mg 4 times daily.

Most people will start to feel it kick in within 30 minutes and will feel its maximum effect at around 2 hours. While it’s great that it gets to work quickly, keep in mind that you can also expect to feel many of its potential side effects quickly, as well.

Key messages. ATARAX (hydroxyzine) is an antihistamine that can increase the risk of QT prolongation (QTP) and torsade de pointes (TdP) which may lead to dizziness, palpitations, syncope, seizures, and sudden cardiac death.

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.

Hydroxyzine has its maximal effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. The recommended dose for treating itching (pruritus) is 25 mg given 3 or 4 times daily by mouth or by intramuscular injection.

Hydroxyzine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. It also works by decreasing activity in the brain.

Hydroxyzine has effective anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative properties. It can induce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. On top of being versatile, this medication does not share any of the abuse, addiction or dependence potentials that come with other similar drugs.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted side effects (such as confusion, drowsiness) and age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving hydroxyzine.

Hydroxyzine, as with most antihistamines, has a very sedative property, which makes it useful for treating insomnia. The common dose prescribed is 50mg at bedtime, but it can go up to 100mg without any significant adverse effect.

As reported in our case, an acute exacerbation of panic disorder was effectively managed by hydroxyzine in a healthy adult. If practitioners recognize this association, extensive use of benzodiazepines may be prevented.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed drugs for panic today and offer fewer side effects than the tricyclic antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro).

Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia.

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. Side effects of hydroxyzine and Xanax that are similar include drowsiness and dry mouth.

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is great for allergies, but curl up on the couch after taking it and get ready for a nap. Atarax (hydroxyzine) helps relieve itching and/or anxiety while helping you to sleep. Atarax (hydroxyzine) can be given in the muscles for faster relief at a doctor’s office.