Can hydroxyzine get you high. Is Vistaril abuse common. What are the effects of misusing Atarax. How does hydroxyzine compare to other antihistamines. Why do some people abuse this medication.

The Basics of Hydroxyzine: An Overview of Atarax and Vistaril

Hydroxyzine, also known by brand names Atarax and Vistaril, is a versatile antihistamine medication that has been in use since its synthesis in 1956. Despite its age, it remains one of the most popular antihistamines due to its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.

Primary uses of hydroxyzine include:

• Allergy relief
• Treatment of itching
• Motion sickness prevention
• Anxiety management
• Mood disorder treatment
• Opioid withdrawal symptom relief

The effectiveness of hydroxyzine can vary depending on an individual’s biological makeup and specific condition. Its versatility and relatively low risk profile have contributed to its enduring popularity in the medical field.

The Mechanism of Action: How Hydroxyzine Works in the Body

Hydroxyzine’s effectiveness stems from its unique mechanism of action within the body. When ingested orally, the medication is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal system and enters the bloodstream.

Interaction with Histamine Receptors

Once in the bloodstream, hydroxyzine travels to cells with histamine receptors. The chemical structure of hydroxyzine allows it to compete with histamines for these receptor sites. As a histamine antagonist, it prevents histamine from acting on the body, effectively suppressing histaminic edema, flares, and pruritus.

Sedative Properties and Antiemetic Effects

At the subcortical level, hydroxyzine’s binding to histamine receptor sites produces sedative properties. This action also contributes to its effectiveness as an antiemetic, helping to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness or opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Key facts about hydroxyzine’s mechanism:

• Half-life of approximately 20 to 25 hours
• Metabolized by the liver without affecting liver function
• One major metabolite is cetirizine
• No known toxicity

The Appeal of Atarax: Non-Habit Forming Anxiety Relief

Hydroxyzine’s popularity, particularly for treating anxiety, stems from its unique properties compared to other anxiolytic medications. Unlike benzodiazepines, Atarax is non-habit forming, which means it does not cause tolerance or dependence, even if users experience a mild high from hydroxyzine.

Advantages of Hydroxyzine Over Other Anxiety Medications

• No development of physical dependence
• Absence of withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation
• Ability to quit use without tapering
• Minimal side effects, primarily mild sedation

These characteristics make hydroxyzine an attractive option for patients seeking anxiety relief without the risks associated with more potent anxiolytic medications.

The Potential for Abuse: Can Hydroxyzine Get You High?

While hydroxyzine is generally considered safe and non-addictive, some individuals may abuse the medication in an attempt to achieve a “high.” The potential for a hydroxyzine high, while limited, does exist due to its sedative and mildly euphoric effects.

Understanding the Hydroxyzine High

Users seeking a hydroxyzine high may experience:

• Feelings of relaxation
• Mild euphoria
• Sedation
• Reduced anxiety

It’s important to note that these effects are typically mild compared to more potent substances, and the risk of addiction is significantly lower than with other medications used for similar purposes.

Hydroxyzine Abuse: Demographics and Motivations

While hydroxyzine abuse is not as common as the abuse of other medications, it does occur, particularly among certain demographics. Understanding who is most likely to abuse hydroxyzine and why can help in prevention and education efforts.

Who Is Most Likely to Abuse Hydroxyzine?

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that teenagers are more likely to engage in hydroxyzine abuse compared to other age groups. This could be due to several factors:

• Easier access to the medication
• Perception of lower risk compared to other drugs
• Experimentation and peer pressure
• Seeking alternatives to more controlled substances

Motivations for Hydroxyzine Abuse

Individuals may abuse hydroxyzine for various reasons:

1. To experience sedation or relaxation
2. To self-medicate for anxiety or sleep issues
3. To enhance the effects of other substances
4. Out of curiosity or for recreational purposes

Understanding these motivations can help healthcare providers and educators address the root causes of hydroxyzine abuse and provide appropriate interventions.

Comparing Hydroxyzine to Other Antihistamines: Abuse Potential and Effects

While hydroxyzine belongs to the antihistamine class of medications, its potential for abuse and effects differ from other common antihistamines. Understanding these differences can provide context for why some individuals may seek out hydroxyzine specifically.

Hydroxyzine vs. First-Generation Antihistamines

Hydroxyzine shares some similarities with other first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl):

• Both can cause sedation
• Both have some potential for recreational use
• Both can interact with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants

However, hydroxyzine’s effects are generally considered milder and less likely to cause significant cognitive impairment compared to diphenhydramine.

Hydroxyzine vs. Second-Generation Antihistamines

Compared to newer, second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin):

• Hydroxyzine is more likely to cause sedation
• Hydroxyzine has a higher potential for recreational use
• Second-generation antihistamines are less likely to cross the blood-brain barrier

These differences in effects and abuse potential highlight why hydroxyzine may be sought out for non-medical purposes more often than other antihistamines.

The Risks of Hydroxyzine Abuse: Short-term and Long-term Consequences

While hydroxyzine is generally considered safe when used as prescribed, abusing the medication can lead to various risks and consequences. Understanding these potential outcomes is crucial for anyone considering misusing hydroxyzine.

Short-term Risks of Hydroxyzine Abuse

Immediate effects of hydroxyzine abuse may include:

• Excessive sedation
• Impaired coordination and reaction time
• Dry mouth and constipation
• Blurred vision
• Confusion or disorientation

These effects can be particularly dangerous if the individual engages in activities requiring alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

Long-term Consequences of Chronic Hydroxyzine Abuse

While hydroxyzine is not typically associated with severe long-term consequences, chronic abuse may lead to:

• Tolerance to the sedative effects
• Cognitive impairment
• Increased risk of accidents due to sedation
• Potential interactions with other medications or substances

It’s important to note that while hydroxyzine itself may not cause physical dependence, the psychological aspects of chronic abuse can still be problematic.

Recognizing and Addressing Hydroxyzine Abuse: Signs and Treatment Options

Identifying hydroxyzine abuse early can help prevent more serious consequences and allow for timely intervention. While the signs may be subtler than with more potent substances, there are still indicators to watch for.

Signs of Hydroxyzine Abuse

Potential indicators that someone may be abusing hydroxyzine include:

• Excessive drowsiness or sedation
• Seeking multiple prescriptions from different healthcare providers
• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Using hydroxyzine in combination with alcohol or other drugs
• Neglecting responsibilities due to medication use
• Experiencing withdrawal-like symptoms when not using the medication

Treatment Options for Hydroxyzine Abuse

While hydroxyzine abuse may not require the same level of intervention as more addictive substances, addressing the underlying reasons for misuse is crucial. Treatment options may include:

1. Counseling or therapy to address any underlying mental health issues
2. Education about the risks of medication misuse
3. Development of healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety or sleep issues
4. Gradual tapering of hydroxyzine use under medical supervision
5. Exploration of alternative treatments for the original condition

It’s important for individuals struggling with hydroxyzine abuse to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Prevention and Education: Reducing the Risk of Hydroxyzine Misuse

Preventing hydroxyzine abuse begins with education and awareness. By understanding the potential risks and promoting responsible use, we can help reduce the likelihood of misuse.

Strategies for Preventing Hydroxyzine Abuse

Some key strategies for prevention include:

• Educating patients about proper use and potential risks
• Encouraging open communication between patients and healthcare providers
• Implementing proper storage and disposal practices for medications
• Promoting awareness of alternative treatments for anxiety and sleep issues
• Addressing underlying mental health concerns that may lead to substance abuse

The Role of Healthcare Providers in Prevention

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in preventing hydroxyzine abuse by:

1. Carefully assessing patients before prescribing hydroxyzine
2. Monitoring patients for signs of misuse or abuse
3. Providing clear instructions on proper use and potential side effects
4. Considering alternative treatments when appropriate
5. Collaborating with mental health professionals when necessary

By taking a proactive approach to prevention and education, we can help ensure that hydroxyzine remains a safe and effective treatment option for those who need it.

Understanding the potential for hydroxyzine abuse, its effects, and the associated risks is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients. While hydroxyzine’s abuse potential is lower than many other medications used for similar purposes, it’s important to remain vigilant and promote responsible use. By educating ourselves and others about the proper use of hydroxyzine and recognizing the signs of misuse, we can help ensure that this valuable medication continues to benefit those who need it while minimizing the risk of abuse.

Getting High on Hydroxyzine: Why People Abuse Vistaril

Hydroxyzine, or Atarax, is one of the oldest antihistamine drugs created and is capable of creating euphoric sensations or a ‘hydroxyzine high’ without becoming addictive. This medication was first synthesized in 1956, but it is still widely used today. In fact, it’s one of the most popular antihistamines available due to its effectiveness and versatility. As an antihistamine, this medication is primarily used to treat allergies. It can provide relief for itching, motion sickness and hyperalgesia. It’s also used to treat anxiety, mood disorders and even opioid or opiate withdrawals. The effectiveness of the drug will depend on one’s biological makeup and condition.

Hydroxyzine Abuse, Dependence and Addiction

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. This is one of the primary reasons why this medication is extremely appealing to patients since a hydroxyzine high is not going to be too addictive. Many patients whether hydroxyzine high will lead to abuse and dependence. It is possible, although the demographics that tend to fall victim to hydroxyzine abuse are teenagers. To get a better idea of how others have reacted to hydroxyzine, check out Erowid for hydroxyzine, Atarax, hydroxyzine pam and Vistaril. This website provides a collection of reports on various experiences others have had with hydroxyzine. It tells you whether they’ve gotten an Atarax high, or whether they felt nothing at all. Check out the hydroxyzine erowid experiences to find out more about the drug.

Common Brand Names of Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine is the generic version of the medication. You can find the medication in its generic form easily at pharmacies. The generic forms usually tend to be cheaper. Still, some patients may prefer certain brands instead. The active ingredients and formula can be packaged and sold under the following brands:

• Atarax
• Hyzine
• Vistaril
• Vistazine

Out of all the brands available, Atarax and Vistaril are the most popular. Hydroxyzine can also be found in other medications that contain other chemical compounds as well. This medication is a chemical component of drugs like Marax and Hydrophed. Both treat asthma, and the hydroxyzine within it is enough to cause a hydroxyzine high.

Mechanism of Action for Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine often comes in a tablet form, and in strengths starting from 10mg all the way up to 50mg. It can also be administered via an intramuscular injection. The pills are round and either yellow or white in color. If Atarax or Vistaril is taken orally, it will be rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. There, it will enter the bloodstream and travel through the body until it reaches cells with histamine receptors. The chemical structure of hydroxyzine competes with histamines. It will bind to the same receptor sites on cell surfaces. As a result, this medication is a histamine antagonist and prevents it from acting on the body. It suppresses histaminic edema, flares, and pruritus. This drug has quite a high affinity for the receptors, so it will win when competing with histamine. This is one of the reasons why this medication is so effective and popular. At the subcortical level, binding to the histamine receptor sites yields sedative properties. This is also why the drug can be used as an antiemetic to prevent nausea and vomiting. It is great for treating motion sickness or opioid withdrawal symptoms. Hydroxyzine has a half-life of approximately 20 to 25 hours. Once it degrades, it is metabolized by the liver and cleared from the body. When broken down, one of the major metabolites of hydroxyzine is cetirizine. Unlike many other medications, metabolizing this drug will not affect the liver at all. This drug has no toxicity.

Why Atarax Is So Appealing

There’s a huge demand for hydroxyzine, especially for treating anxiety. Unlike benzodiazepines, Atarax is non-habit forming. This means that hydroxyzine does not cause tolerance or dependence even if you achieve a high from hydroxyzine. Since the body does not develop dependence, there are no hydroxyzine withdrawal symptoms. Without any Atarax withdrawal symptoms, it’s easy to quit using the drug. Users can quit cold turkey without having to gradually taper off of the medication. The only significant side effect of Vistaril is sedation, but this effect tends to subside with time. Some patients also report experiencing mild euphoria or high from taking this medication. This is from interactions at the subcortical level. Since the addictive potential for this drug is almost non-existent, it is not one of the most abused over-the-counter drugs. Patients can feel safe when taking this medication for anxiety or allergies. They are not going to become dependent on it, like with prescription opioids. Patients also won’t have to take larger doses to get the same effects. Atarax can be used for long-term treatment of anxiety. While some conditions only require a prescription length of several weeks, some patients have taken this medication for several years without experiencing any negative side effects. Still, most doctors would recommend following up with patients who are taking Vistaril long-term. This is to ensure that the medication is still doing its job and that patients are not developing any negative effects from the drug. This is true when comparing hydroxyzine vs Xanax.

How Quickly Will You Feel the Effects of Hydroxyzine?

Another benefit of Vistaril is that it is fast-acting. You can feel its effects once the compounds are absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. If taken orally, the effects are usually felt within 15 to 30 minutes. That’s quite quick in comparison to many other similar drugs. You can determine when you should take the medication based on when the effects will kick in. For example, if you are taking the medication for motion sickness, take it 30 minutes before you get on the car, plane or train. This way, you’ll already feel the effects of the drug before the condition even has a chance of kicking in.

Dosage Information of Vistaril

The prescribed dosage for hydroxyzine is determined by factors, like your age, medication condition, and weight. Make sure that you take the hydroxyzine dosage as prescribed. Misuse can lead to overdose or unwanted side effects. Take the medication at the prescribed times as well for the best results possible. With that said, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is near the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose, and just take the dose that is next up on the schedule. Do not double your dose. Doubling your dose can be dangerous, and may cause an overdose. When used to treat anxiety, 50mg of hydroxyzine pam is prescribed to patients for around 12 weeks. The treatment is divided into three daily doses. In comparison to other alternatives like bromazepam, Atarax had the highest efficiency rating. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose depending on how you’re reacting to the drug.

Hydroxyzine Side Effects

Much like many other medications, hydroxyzine can cause some unwanted hydroxyzine side effects. Most of these Atarax side effects are rather mild and will subside with time. If they don’t subside, they can usually be managed. This way, the symptoms will have a less intense effect on your wellbeing. Understanding what hydroxyzine side effects are normal will help you determine when to seek medical help. Approximately 1% of patients who have taken Atarax, Vistaril or some form of hydroxyzine pamoate have reported the following Vistaril side effects:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth, nose or throat
• Loss of or decreased appetite
• Stomach pains
• Nausea

If you are concerned about Vistaril side effects, speak with your doctor immediately. You should seek medical attention if these Atarax side effects worsen or persist for an extended period of time. In most cases, you will find that the hydroxyzine side effects will slowly disappear with time. After several doses, you shouldn’t experience any hydroxyzine side effects at all. If you experience hydroxyzine high, the intensity of the high may also disappear with time. It’s not uncommon for many patients to never experience any Atarax side effects. This is one of the many benefits offered by this medication.

Serious and Severe Atarax Side Effects

In most cases, Vistaril use should not result in any side effects at all; however, everyone’s body is different. Some people may respond negatively to this medication. It may be due to their environment or their genetics that they get a hydroxyzine high. If you experience any of the more serious Vistaril side effects, there’s a good chance that Vistaril is simply not the medication for you. You should highly consider switching to another alternative. Some of the more serious Atarax side effects that have been reported include:

• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Difficulties urinating
• Fast heartbeat
• Fatigue, exhaustion or weakness
• Hallucinations
• Hyperexcitability
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Rashes
• Restlessness
• Sore throat
• Tremors
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Stop taking the medication and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the more serious hydroxyzine side effects. You should also stop taking the medication if you start showing signs of an allergic reaction. This might include itching or hives. Continuing to take the medication may be dangerous and deadly.

Atarax Overdose Symptoms

Although hydroxyzine is not addictive, some patients have tried larger doses to see if they get a bigger high or if they can enjoy a stronger euphoric sensation. Although Vistaril is relatively safe, too large of a dose can result in an overdose and can be dangerous. Common symptoms of a hydroxyzine overdose include:

• Blurry vision
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Decreased awareness or responsiveness
• Delirium
• Depression
• Difficulties urinating
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Flushed skin
• Hallucinations and psychosis
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
• Seizures
• Severe sleepiness
• Shaky limbs
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting

If you or someone you know is experiencing a Vistaril overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately. Fortunately, recovery is extremely likely if the individual survives the first 24 hours. Depending on the severity of the overdose, the affected individual may experience permanent or severe damage to the muscles and brain. The damage will be even more pronounced if the overdose results in a cardiac or respiratory arrest or depression. In general, those who overdose may be ‘addicted’ to the medication. This would be a psychological addiction since it is impossible to develop dependence or tolerance to the drug. If you are unsure of whether you or someone you know is addicted or not, take one of our addiction quizzes to find out.

Information Needed Before Calling 9-1-1

Calling 9-1-1 is the best way to ensure that the affected individual gets immediate help. To get the best response possible, have the following information ready before calling 9-1-1:

• The age of the individual, as well as their weight
• The name of the product, as well as the strength
• The time when the medication was taken, as well as the amount taken
• Whether the medication is prescribed for the individual or not

Don’t leave out any information. Now is not the time to be shy. If the individual was taking Atarax to get hydroxyzine high, let 9-1-1 know. It’s important to equip the first responders with as much information as they need to make an informed decision about which treatment to use.

Possible Treatments for a Vistaril Overdose

Once the affected individual is brought to a hospital, their vital signs will be carefully monitored. This includes their pulse, their blood pressure, their body temperature and their breathing rate. Atarax overdose symptoms will be treated with:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing support, like a ventilator
• Gastric lavage
• Intravenous fluids
• Laxatives
• Medications

Blood and urine tests, as well as chest x-rays and EKGs, will be performed. The type of tests recommended would depend on the patient’s condition, as well as the dosage they took. Many factors come into play to ensure that patients are safe and recovering from the incident, especially if the drug was taken to achieve a hydroxyzine high.

Warnings or Precautions Involved with Taking Hydroxyzine

Before taking hydroxyzine, make sure to let your doctor know if you have any medical conditions or allergies. It’s also important to inform your doctor of the other medications you’re taking to ensure that there will be no adverse effects between the two. Atarax and Vistaril are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The medication may affect the fetus. Also, it is not known whether the compounds in this medication will diffuse into breastmilk. Seniors should also use extra caution if they are taking this medication. This is because the sedative effects of this medication tend to be more pronounced as an individual gets older. Due to the sedative effects of this medication, don’t drive after you’ve taken it.

Interaction with Medications

Hydroxyzine is known to interact with certain medications and substances. In particular, it’s been known to interact with:

• Alcohol
• Anticholinergics
• Barbiturates
• Narcotics
• Psychiatric medications
• Sedatives

If you are taking any of those medications, make sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Based on your situation and circumstances, the doctor will either stop one of the medications or change you from one medication to another. Another solution is to change the way that you are taking each of the medications. If the hydroxyzine side effects and interactions are relatively minor, your doctor may leave everything as it is. It’s also a good idea to let your doctor know if you are taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal medications. You never know what might potentially interact with the hydroxyzine. While this medication is safe on its own, it can be dangerous when combined with other substances. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.

Dealing with a Psychological Addiction

While it’s not possible to get physically addicted or even dependent on hydroxyzine, some people may feel the need to take larger and larger doses. This is a form of psychological addiction although it has more to do with one’s mental state than with the medication. In these situations, you can still seek help from a recovery center, like Northpoint Washington. We’ll help you delve further into the underlying causes behind your addiction. Perhaps, you’re using hydroxyzine as an escape for dealing with other situations, like with a hydroxyzine high. Or, perhaps, you simply have a personality that is prone to addiction. If you believe that you are misusing hydroxyzine, we can help you learn how to identify triggers and build better habits. We offer therapies like mindfulness-based relapse prevention. While you might not be addicted or be susceptible to relapses, you can learn quite a lot from this type of therapy. Therapies, like mindfulness-based relapse prevention, will teach you how to be more aware of your own mental state. It will also explore your relationship with addiction. If you’re interested, contact us for more information. We’re happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Hydroxyzine be Used to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal?

Up until the late 1960s, hydroxyzine was a medication that was often used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But the main reason it was used was because doctors really did not have any other options at that time. There were no major studies that had been done on other medications to show that they might be effective. In 1969, a study was done that showed that Librium was a much better option to use for alcohol withdrawal. Librium is a benzodiazepine. Since that time, benzos have been the top drug of choice for people recovering from alcoholism. In order to understand why hydroxyzine is not the best choice for alcohol withdrawal, it is important to understand why the symptoms occur. It has to do with two important chemicals in the brain – GABA and glutamate. These chemicals have opposite effects in the brain; glutamate is excitable while GABA is calming. When you drink alcohol, the effects of GABA are enhanced while glutamate is suppressed. This results in the brain becoming quite sensitive to glutamate. When you stop drinking, the brain becomes over excited because it is no longer being suppressed and no GABA is blocking it. Benzos fit the GABA receptors in the brain, which calms it down. But hydroxyzine does not, and so it cannot counteract the glutamate in your brain. That makes it a poor choice for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Taking Hydroxyzine Long-Term?

There are some doctors who use hydroxyzine as a type of “rescue” medication for patients with periodic anxiety. It generally is not something that people take long-term unless they are taking it as an allergy medication. Even so, there are no known risks for the long-term use of hydroxyzine. It is not physically addictive at all.

Are There People Who Should Not Take Hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine is quite safe for most anyone to use, whether they take it regularly or not. But it may be contraindicated in certain situations. For example, you should not take it if you:

• Have an allergic reaction to it.
• Have been diagnosed with long QT syndrome or have a family history of it.
• Are in your first or second trimester of pregnancy.
• Have or have had a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
• Have urination issues, such as bladder obstruction.
• Have glaucoma.
• Have heart disease or if your heart beats more slowly than normal.
• Have too little or too much potassium in your blood.
• Have recently suffered a heart attack.
• Are breastfeeding.

Is Hydroxyzine the Same as Xanax?

No, these drugs are not the same, but sometimes people confuse them. Both are available by prescription only, but hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication used to treat allergic reactions and anxiety. Xanax is also used to treat anxiety, but it is classified as a benzodiazepine drug. It works by enhancing the effects of GABA in the brain.

Can You Get Addicted to Hydroxyzine?

It is not possible to get physically addicted to hydroxyzine. This could be one of the reasons why doctors may be so willing to prescribe it for their patients. It can be quite effective in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. But even though it is not possible to get physically addicted, it is possible to form a psychological addiction to this medication. This happens when a person has been taking it for a long period of time. As time goes on, they begin to feel as though they need it. Without it, they fear that their symptoms will return. A psychological addiction can be just as troubling as a physical one. If you believe you are addicted to hydroxyzine, it is important to get the help you need.

What is Drug Rehab?

A drug rehab center is a place people can turn to for help once they get addicted to a drug or alcohol. Many substance abuse treatment programs also treat behavioral addictions like gambling and shopping. There is a lot that happens during drug rehab. If you choose an inpatient program, you should expect to be there for about 28 days. Some types of addictions require the patient to go through detox when they arrive at the treatment center. But hydroxyzine is not one of those drugs. If you choose to go to rehab for hydroxyzine addiction, you will begin therapy right away. The goal of drug rehab is to understand what lies at the root of the addiction. A lot of people who use hydroxyzine do so because it helps with their anxiety. That means that they have a co-occurring disorder that needs to be treated appropriately in order to get them off this drug. In this case, a dual diagnosis treatment program is needed in order for the person to stop using successfully. This type of rehab ensures that both conditions are treated at the same time. It can help the patient understand the connections between them and increase their chances of a positive long-term outcome.

What Happens After You go to Rehab?

Once you have completed rehab, your recovery journey has only just begun. It is so important for you to continue to get help and support from both peers and professionals. While that does not mean you need to remain in an inpatient program long-term, it does mean that you need to continue to get some type of treatment. For many people, their aftercare following an inpatient stay means going to an intensive outpatient program. Others may do quite well by going to Narcotics Anonymous meetings and outpatient therapy. The staff can provide recommendations for the type of treatment they feel you will benefit from the most.

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Hydroxyzine Addiction Treatment Program | Drug Rehab Center

Hydroxyzine is a medication that many people abuse without realizing the dangers of it. It is possible to become addicted to this medication, and many people do. If you’re currently taking it, you may wonder why it has been so difficult for you to stop. It’s possible that you are already addicted.

Fortunately, hydroxyzine abuse and addiction can be remedied. However, it does require that you receive professional treatment to stop taking it successfully. By going through hydroxyzine detox, you can get the assistance you need to recover.

This concept might be fairly new to you, regardless of how long you’ve been taking this drug. We’d like to offer you information so that you’re educated on its dangers and risks. We’d also like to provide you with everything you need to know about detoxing from hydroxyzine for your recovery.

On This Page

• What is the Hydroxyzine Drug?
• Hydroxyzine Pamoate Abuse
• What are the Recovery Rates?
• What Makes Hydroxyzine so Addictive?
• Side Effects of Atarax
• Combining Hydroxyzine With Other Drugs
• Treating a Vistazine Addiction
• Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
• Detoxing From Hydroxyzine
• What to do AfterDetox
• Can You Overdose on Hydroxyzine?
• How to Get Professional Help

What is the Hydroxyzine Drug?

Hydroxyzine is a medication that is classified as an antihistamine. It has a number of different uses, and is prescribed under several different names, including:

• Hydroxyzine HCL
• Atarax
• Vistaril
• Hydroxyzine Pamoate
• Hyzine
• Vistazine

This is not an over-the-counter medication, and must be prescribed by a doctor. Patients are always cautioned to follow their physicians’ instructions exactly when taking this drug. It’s usually prescribed two to three times a day, but many people choose to only take it at bedtime. It does have sedating qualities.

Atarax Abuse and Addiction Statistics

The number of prescriptions for Atarax has increased over time. According to statistical reports, there were just over 5,000,000 prescriptions written for it in 2004. By 2015, that number jumped to more than 7,500,000.

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. It may be a drug that is in its infancy for abuse, but it could potentially become more common in the years to come.

What is Vistaril Prescribed for?

Vistaril is prescribed for several different reasons. It is often given to patients who suffer from severe allergies because it helps with itching. It may also be prescribed to patients who experience itching when they take prescription opiate medications. Many doctors will use it to treat anxiety in the short-term. Its sedative effects can be helpful to relax patients before they have surgery as well.

Hydroxyzine Pamoate Abuse

People who abuse hydroxyzine pamoate will usually use it because of the euphoria they experience. In lower doses, such as 10mg, the medication may only be mildly sedating. However, when hydroxyzine pamoate is taken in higher doses, the euphoria becomes intensified.

The increase in the number of prescriptions for hydroxyzine indicates that this medication is in high demand. Doctors and patients alike seem to view it as a drug with lower risks compared to benzodiazepines. Because it is physically non-habit forming, it’s often chosen more frequently.

Most people who abuse it may be doing so inadvertently. They may notice that their normal dose doesn’t work as well as it once did. This indicates that they are forming a tolerance to it. To compensate for this, they may increase their dosage on their own. This is a classic form of abuse, and it will result in a euphoric hydroxyzine high.

Eventually, these individuals may continue upping their dosages to feel the effects of the drug. They may even start using their medication in alternate ways to see what it does.

How is This Drug Usually Abused to Get People High?

There are several different ways in which people taking Atarax may use it to get high. They may:

• Continue taking higher and higher doses.
• Crush the pills and then snort the powder.
• Chew the pills instead of swallowing them with water.
• Combine their medication with other drugs or with alcohol.
• Dissolving the pills in water or another solution and injecting them.

The hydroxyzine high is very euphoric. It can quickly reduce anxiety, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. Abusers indicate that they usually experience an uplifted mood according to accounts onErowid. It is very sedating, especially in higher doses. It also can make you much more sociable and talkative. For people who struggle with anxiety, this is a desirable trait.

How Can Abuse Lead to a Hydroxyzine Addiction?

For any drug, chronic abuse can lead to addiction. You will form a tolerance as you continue taking it, and as your dose increases over time. Eventually, you will start to believe that you need hydroxyzine to feel like yourself.

What are the Recovery Rates for People Addicted to This Drug?

Addiction recovery rates are about the same across the board. However, research does show that they may be a little higher for a drug that is non-habit forming.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 40% and 60% of addicts recover after treatment. By getting the right kind of help, it’s possible to increase that percentage. You also have a better chance of remaining in recovery if you continue to get support after treatment is over.

What Makes Hydroxyzine HCL So Addictive?

Hydroxyzine is not known to be physically addictive at all. Again, this is one of the reasons so many doctors probably prescribe it so freely. However, it can become psychologically addictive very quickly.

When you get used to experiencing the Hydroxyzine HCL high, you may come to feel that you need it. It’s something that you get used to, and you eventually may not know how to function without it. This is what makes it so addictive, and why treatment is necessary for recovery.

Signs and Symptoms of a Vistaril Addiction Explained

The signs and symptoms of an addiction to Vistaril are hard to miss. Still, people tend to have a hard time believing that they have become addicted to this medication. They may realize that their use of it is problematic, but they’re not ready to call it an addiction. This may largely stem from the fact that Vistaril is considered non-addictive, physically.

If you’re addicted to Vistaril, you may or may not be aware of the problem. There are certain signs that you should be looking for to indicate that you may need treatment. They include:

• Struggling with important relationships in your life.
• Hiding your Vistaril use from the people you love.
• Having withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.
• Continuing to use Vistaril even though you’re having negative effects.
• Neglecting activities with your loved ones because you’d rather use.
• Being unable to stop using even when you want to.
• Obsessing about using your medication, or having enough on hand.
• Purchasing Vistaril illegally.
• Finding that you need to continually increase your dosage to get the same effects.

If you can relate to any of these, it indicates that you may have an addiction to Vistaril. If you’re still unsure, you can start by taking a prescription drug addiction quiz. This will give you additional information.

If you are addicted to Vistazine, you need to get the right kind of treatment. This may involve a period of detoxification and rehabilitation. It’s not recommended for you to stop taking this drug cold turkey. Doing so can eventually result in a relapse if you begin to get intense cravings for it. While relapses do happen, they can be avoided with professional help.

What are the Side Effects of Atarax?

Every drug or medication you take is going to have potential side effects. Sometimes these will linger, and other times they will go away with continued use of the drug. Regardless of how long you’ve been using this medication, it’s important to know the side effects of Atarax.

The Mental Effects

When you begin taking Atarax, you may notice some significant mental changes. You may find that you have extreme mood swings. Sometimes people suffer from confusion or hallucinations. You could also become restless; especially when you first start taking it.

These are considered to be serious side effects, and they should always be discussed with your doctor. It’s best not to assume that they will go away, because they may not.

The Physical Effects

Physical side effects from Atarax are also quite common. You may notice any of the following:

• Blurred vision
• A dry mouth
• Bouts of constipation
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Excessive drowsiness or fatigue

Occasionally, more severe side effects may present themselves. These can include:

• Body tremors or shaking
• Problems with urination
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• Swelling or itching consistent with an allergic reaction

The Short-Term Effects Explained

In the short-term, the above side effects are what people can expect to experience. However, if they take higher doses than what they are prescribed, these effects may be intensified. Also, they do run the risk of experiencing complications at the higher dosages, even with short-term use.

The Risks of Continued Hydroxyzine Abuse and Long-Term Effects

If you have been taking hydroxyzine long-term, you may be unaware of the risks involved. This is not supposed to be a long-term drug. Usually, doctors advise only staying on it regularly for a few weeks. After that, it’s acceptable to be used on an as-needed basis.

According to Wikipedia, the long-term use of Hydroxyzine is connected to tardive dyskinesia. This is a disorder that causes repetitive and involuntary muscle movements. People with this condition may jerk their bodies or move slowly. They may also not be able to control their grimacing or sticking out their tongues.

Some doctors also believe that there may be undue stress on the heart with long-term hydroxyzine use. Eventually, it can lead to heart arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest in some people.

Is it Dangerous to Combine Hydroxyzine Pamoate With Other Drugs or Alcohol?

Hydroxyzine pamoate has many contraindications with other drugs, according to Drugs.com. Some of the ones they list are:

• Adderall – It’s effects are completely the opposite of what hydroxyzine does in the body.
• Benadryl – This medication is also an antihistamine and it may increase the side effects of both drugs.
• Gabapentin – Combining this medication with hydroxyzine pamoate may also increase side effects. Elderly people are to be especially warned.
• Norco – This drug is an opiate pain reliever, and combining it with hydroxyzine is not recommended. Taking both together can result in central nervous system depression, among other dangerous outcomes.
• Alcohol – Drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine can be dangerous. The nervous system side effects can be increased, and judgment may be even more impaired.

If you’re taking Atarax, please inform your doctor before you take any other medication. Also, you should refrain from drinking or using illicit drugs while using this medicine. You may suffer from interactions that could make you sick, or even put your life at risk.

Is it Safe to Use Hydroxyzine for Alcohol Withdrawal?

Hydroxyzine may be considered for some people going through alcohol withdrawal. When compared to benzodiazepines, it presents fewer risks due to its non-addictive properties. This medication is very sedating, and it results in a calming sensation for people with anxiety. It’s also very effective for the treatment of other alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

However, there may be times when hydroxyzine isn’t the best option for someone going through alcohol withdrawal. It’s not recommended for patients who suffer from ulcers or heart problems. It may not be safe for those with liver disease either.

Using hydroxyzine to self-medicate your alcohol withdrawal symptoms is not recommended. It may seem as though it would work, but it could cause more harm than good.

Treating a Vistazine Addiction the Correct Way

If you are addicted to Vistazine, you need to get the right kind of treatment. This may involve a period of detoxification and rehabilitation. It’s not recommended for you to stop taking this drug cold turkey. Doing so can eventually result in a relapse if you begin to get intense cravings for it. While relapses do happen, they can be avoided with professional help.

Is it Necessary to Detox From Vistaril?

Most professional addiction treatment experts agree that patients should go through a quality drug detox program. This is going to assist you as you get through the difficulties of withdrawal. You may experience symptoms that take you by surprise, and you might not know how to manage them. Not to mention that attempting to manage them on your own can be dangerous.

It’s much safer to detox in a professional drug detoxification center. This will ensure that you’re treating the physical side of your addiction the right way.

Is it Safe to Attempt an At-Home Detox for Atarax?

Sometimes people insist upon doing an at-home drug detox when they’re addicted to Atarax. This might be something that sounds appealing to you as well. However, you need to know that it might not be safe for you to do it.

You could end up experiencing complications that result in a need for immediate medical help. If that’s the case, and you’re alone, you may not be able to get it.

If you refuse to enter into professional treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to offer you some guidance on how to safely detox from Atarax. At the very least, they need to know what you intend to do.

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms You Might Experience

Even when you take a drug that isn’t physically addictive, you still can experience physical withdrawal symptoms. This is important for you to understand, and why you shouldn’t just stop taking hydroxyzine HCL on your own.

Some hydroxyzine withdrawal symptoms may be mild in nature, and others may be more severe. You could experience any combination of the following:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Brain fog or trouble with concentration
• Extreme fatigue
• Insomnia or other sleep associated issues
• A return of your anxiety
• Possible panic attacks
• Cravings for your medication
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Bouts of constipation

Fortunately, many of these symptoms can be controlled with the proper treatment. It’s important for you to know what you can expect during your hydroxyzine detox.

The Process of Detoxing From Hydroxyzine

Every Vistaril detox program addresses this addiction in a different way. However, most agree that it’s not necessary to stop the use of it abruptly. Doing this can drive the body into shock, which can be counterproductive, and make the recovery even more difficult. Instead, they usually begin with a medical taper.

Tapering off hydroxyzine means that you will take smaller and smaller doses over time. You may have a slight sense of discomfort as you adjust, but your body will get used to it. Eventually, you’ll be ready to come off the medication altogether.

Is Medicated Detox Appropriate for Hydroxyzine?

This is a difficult question to answer. Most doctors would advise against prescribing a potentially addictive medication to someone with this addiction. You could eventually just trade one addiction for the other. However, there may be some medications given to you as preventative measures.

For instance, if you are considered to be a seizure risk, you may be given an anticonvulsant. If doctors are concerned about your blood pressure or heart rate, they may be prescribe something to help.

Non-Medicated Detox Treatments

You will most likely find that your doctor will lean toward a more holistic approach during your detoxification. This will involve improving your overall health during your stay at the detox center. You may meet with a nutritionist to make some changes to your diet. They will want to see that you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. You will also probably begin an exercise program.

Both of these methods are going to work well to help your body get rid of toxins associated with Vistaril. Those toxins are what is causing you to have withdrawal symptoms. When you’re eating properly, and drinking enough water, you will notice that your body is prepared to process them. You will also release excess toxins through your sweat when you exercise.

What to do After You Have Detoxed

Once you have gone through hydroxyzine detoxification, you’ll need to take the next step in your recovery. This will involve going to a hydroxyzine rehab for further treatment. You may find that you’re feeling much better after you detox, and it may even seem like you’re ready to go home. However, you need to address the mental part of your addiction.

There was a reason why you began to abuse hydroxyzine. That reason is what eventually led to your addiction. It’s vital for you to figure out what the cause of it was. If you don’t, you won’t be able to get the proper treatment to help you recover.

Can You Overdose on Hydroxyzine?

Most people think of this drug as being fairly safe and mild when compared to other substances. However, it is possible to suffer from a hydroxyzine overdose. This most often happens when people attempt to recover on their own, and then they relapse.

If you overdose on hydroxyzine, you may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Problems with urination
• Shortness of breath
• Blurry vision
• Enlarged pupils
• A fast heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Delirium and/or hallucinations
• Extreme anxiety
• Problems with coordination
• Flushed skin

You need to get immediate medical attention if you or a loved one suspects an overdose. Otherwise, it can be fatal.

A Hydroxyzine Addiction Treatment Program in Edmonds, WA is What You Need

We can help you here at Northpoint Washington in Bellevue if you are abusing or are addicted to hydroxyzine. We offer an excellent detoxification program that can help you meet your recovery goals. We also have a rehabilitation center, which is essential for your long-term recovery.

It’s not easy to admit that you’re a drug addict. You may not have even thought it was possible to get addicted to Vistaril. Now that you are, you’re wondering what your next step should be. We want to assure you that recovery is possible. You only need the right kind of support.

How can we answer your questions about hydroxyzine abuse, addiction and detox? Please contact us right away at 425.437.3298.

Talk to a Rehab Specialist

Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They’ll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and make sure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free.

425.437.3298Contact Us

Atarax in Anxiety Disorders (Review) | Ryabokon I.V.

Anxiety is a state of fear, anxiety experienced by a person in the conditions of expectation of trouble. The causes of anxiety are varied: emotional instability, a sharp change in living conditions, the upcoming performance of a difficult task, etc. Anxiety can arise on the basis of a premonition of a future threat (punishment or loss of loved ones). Usually, anxiety leads to defensive reactions. Anxiety is the result of frustration or its expectation and is the primary psychological manifestation of stress. Z. Freud considered anxiety as a symptomatic manifestation of an internal emotional conflict caused by the fact that a person unconsciously suppresses sensations, feelings or impulses that are too threatening or annoying for him. With the onset of anxiety, there is an increase in behavioral activity, a change in the very nature of behavior, and additional physiological mechanisms of adaptation to changed conditions are activated.

Anxiety is a person’s tendency to experience a state of anxiety. Most often, a person’s anxiety is associated with the expectation of the social consequences of his success or failure. Anxiety and anxiety are closely related to stress. On the one hand, anxious emotions are symptoms of stress. On the other hand, the initial level of anxiety determines individual sensitivity to stress. Like stress in general, anxiety is not necessarily good or bad.
Sometimes anxiety is natural, appropriate, useful. Everyone feels anxious, restless or tense in certain situations, especially if they have to do something out of the ordinary or prepare for it. For example, speaking in front of an audience with a speech or taking an exam. A person may experience anxiety when walking down an unlit street at night or when they get lost in a strange city. This kind of anxiety is normal and even beneficial, as it prompts you to prepare a speech, to study the material before the exam, to think about whether you really need to go out at night all alone.
In other cases, anxiety is unnatural, pathological, inadequate, harmful. It becomes chronic, permanent and begins to appear not only in stressful situations, but also for no apparent reason. Then anxiety not only does not help a person, but, on the contrary, begins to interfere with his daily activities.
The line between a “normal” stress response and a pathological anxiety disorder is often very blurred, making it difficult for a person to know when to seek professional help. These subsyndromic anxiety disorders are the most difficult to diagnose, often remain untreated, while having an extremely negative impact on the quality of life of the patient and those around him. It is believed that treatment options should be considered when anxiety about mundane events is beyond the patient’s control. Also, the following disorders may be the reason for prescribing therapy: nervousness, fussiness, impaired concentration, irritability, sleep disturbance, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction.
In everyday medical practice, various herbal medicines, tranquilizers, barbiturates, antidepressants, and some antipsychotics are used to treat anxiety disorders.
One of the most powerful and quickly stopping sleep disorders and anxiety are benzodiazepine drugs. Among the disadvantages of treatment with benzodiazepines, one should name: withdrawal syndrome (rapid resumption or transient increase in symptoms after discontinuation of the drug), the risk of addiction and the formation of drug dependence, impaired cognitive functions (attention, concentration, memory), impaired coordination. Therefore, drugs of the benzodiazepine group are not recommended for more than 2 weeks.
Hydroxyzine (Atarax) does not belong to either the benzodiazepine group or the phenothiazine family. The non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic Atarax (hydroxyzine) is a derivative of diphenylmethane (Diphenylmetane), a histamine h2 receptor antagonist.
Hydroxyzine, one of the oldest psychotropic drugs, was introduced into clinical practice as early as 1955. Atarax has a pronounced anti-anxiety, antihistamine, antipruritic and antiemetic effect. By reducing the concentration of histamine at the central level, it has the ability to reduce anxiety, reduce aggressiveness and cause a persistent anxiolytic effect [2]. The drug acts already 15–30 minutes after ingestion (Cmax is observed 2 hours after taking the drug) and retains this effect for 6–8 hours. Its main advantages are the absence of the “rebound” phenomenon, addiction (dependence), withdrawal symptoms and positive effect on cognitive function.
Hydroxyzine has been successfully used in various fields of medicine: as a means of controlling tobacco smoking [3]; in pediatric dentistry [4]; for its intended purpose – for the treatment of anxiety neurosis (even in the era of the existence of such a nosological form) and for “mild” depression [5]; in violations of behavior and learning in children [6]. Due to its antihistamine properties, hydroxyzine has been used in allergology, for the treatment of itching [7], in urticaria pigmentosa (mastocytosis) in children [8]; in oncology [9]; in burn patients [10], in narcology [11], and in many other conditions.
Recently, there has been interest from researchers in the use of hydroxyzine in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The prevalence of this pathology and the associated burden of social consequences in the modern scientific literature look very significant. According to one review [E.G. Starostina. Generalized anxiety disorder and symptoms of anxiety in general medical practice. Rus. honey. magazine 2004; 22 (222), 12: 1277] with reference to numerous foreign works, “GAD is among the top ten diseases with the greatest temporary disability and, according to this indicator, is on the same level with coronary artery disease, diabetes, joint diseases, peptic ulcer, and from mental disorders – with depression or even ahead of it.”
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT for the treatment of GAD [17], the anxiolytic activity of Atarax at a dose of 50 mg (in 3 doses of 12.5 mg in the morning and afternoon plus 25 mg in the evening) was shown, which manifested itself in a statistically significant, rapid and significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety already at the end of the 1st week of treatment, which persisted for another 1 week after discontinuation of treatment (n=110; course duration 4 weeks; assessment on the Hamilton-A scale). At the same time, the phenomenon of “rebound” or return of anxiety was not observed.
In another double-blind multicenter RCT [18], in which, along with placebo control, the benzodiazepine drug bromazepam was also used, it was shown that hydroxyzine used for 3 months was statistically significantly different from placebo and as effective as the comparator drug. At the same time, against the background of benzodiazepine, twice as often as with the use of hydroxyzine, adverse severe drowsiness was observed (n = 334; dose of hydroxyzine 50 mg / day in 3 doses; bromazepam – 6 mg / day in 3 doses; improvement on the Hamilton-A scale >50 %; p<0.03 at the end of the 6th week and p<0.001 - after 12 weeks; the number of patients responding to treatment: 40% at the 6th and 60% at the 12th week, respectively).
Another study [19] showed the efficacy of Atarax (50 mg in 3 doses), comparable to that of the control buspirone (20 mg in 3 doses), with a statistically significant difference between Atarax and placebo on the 28th day of treatment (p<0. 015) . There was no “rebound” phenomenon with abrupt withdrawal of both drugs (n=244; age 18–65 years).
In addition, one of the advantages of hydroxyzine is that, unlike benzodiazepines, it does not depress cognition [20] (triple crossover, double-blind RCT; comparison of a single dose of 50 mg of hydroxyzine with a single dose of 2 mg of lorazepam and placebo; n = 9; healthy volunteers; 3-day interval before crossing; assessment of cognitive functions after 2–5 hours after taking comparators).
Some studies have shown a positive effect of hydroxyzine on cognitive function [21] (comparison with lorazepam; double-blind multicenter RCT; n=30; GAD, Atarax 100 mg in 3 doses, lorazepam 4 mg in 3 doses; Beck score at 28– day of treatment). Unlike lorazepam, with the same anxiolytic activity, hydroxyzine restored cognitive function to normal limits.
Similar results were obtained in another, less evidence-based study, an open RCT (A.E. Bobrov et al. Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry named after S. S. Korsakov. 1988; 2. GAD; n=50; outpatients; treatment course of 4 weeks, plus 2 weeks of follow-up).
Given the characteristics of the drug (rapid onset of action, good tolerance), the absence of dependence and depression of the central nervous system make it an alternative drug to benzodiazepines in children and adolescents. In a study conducted at the Children’s Psychiatry Center [23], Atarax was prescribed for various forms of mental illness in children and adolescents with manifestations of anxiety, irritability, and insomnia-type sleep disorders, and its effectiveness was evaluated. The study included 50 patients aged 5 to 18 years with various forms of mental illness, who were under outpatient observation and treatment at the Children’s Psychiatry CVL. At the end of the 4th week of therapy, there was a decrease in the manifestations of anxiety and various fears noted earlier: falling asleep in the dark, staying at home in the absence of parents, fears of animals, noise of household appliances; in one case, a five-year-old boy could stay at home with a nanny without parents (he had previously had a pronounced affective reaction). In addition, sleep improved in all patients already in the second week of therapy, tearfulness, capriciousness, and irritability were reduced. Simultaneously with the reduction of anxiety, the mood improved in 7 patients with a mixed anxiety and depressive reaction due to adjustment disorder and with a mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, which was associated not with the direct antidepressant effect of Atarax, but with the comorbid dependence of anxiety and depression: anxiety was reduced – depression was gone.
In a comparative study [22] of etifoxine and Atarax (hydroxyzine), the compared anxiolytics demonstrated high efficacy in a wide range of psychopathological manifestations of adjustment disorders and generalized anxiety disorder. The results of therapy with etifoxine and Atarax showed the comparability of the clinical effect of the compared drugs, which was confirmed by a number of formalized indicators. The share of respondents turned out to be comparable: 73.3 and 53. 3% in the HARS assessment; 66.7 and 53.3% in the CGI–S assessment for the groups treated with etifoxine and Atarax. The main clinical effect of the drugs in both groups was a decrease in the severity of manifestations of mental anxiety: the most rapidly reduced symptoms of internal tension (etifoxine – on the 2nd, Atarax – on the 3rd week), reactive (emotional) lability (one of the sub-items of “depressive mood “). In general, similar dynamics of cognitive anxiety was observed in both groups.
In summary, it can be reiterated that hydroxyzine (Atarax) has shown clear advantages over benzodiazepine anxiolytics in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Being as therapeutically effective as benzodiazepine anxiolytics, it does not give the phenomena of “rebound”, does not depress cognitive function and does not cause pathological dependence.

Literature:
1. Psychotropics 2000/2001 Lundbeck.
2. Krebs MO. Le trouble anxieux: cliniqu et implicacion neurobiologiques. La Revfue des Entretiens de Bichat 2001; 2 (5).
3. Turle G. An investigation into the therapeutic action of hydroxyzine/Atarax in the treatment of nervous disorders and the control of tobacco–habit. Brit J Psychiat 1958; 104: 82 p. 33.
4. Lang L. An evaluation of the efficacy of hydroxyzine (atarax–vistaril) in controlling the behavior of child patients. J-Dent-Child 1965; 32, 4: 253–8)
5. R.Middlefell, K.Edwards Hydroxyzine/Atarax in the relief of tension associated with anxiety neurosis and mild depressive states. Brit J Psychiat 1959; 105:792–4.
6. Segal L, Tansley A. A clinical trial with Hydroxyzine (Atarax) on a group of maladjusted educationally subnormal children. J Mental-Science; Br J Psychiat from 1963; 1957; 103:677–81.
7. Rhoades R, Leifer K, Cohan R, Wittig H. Suppression of histamine–induced pruritus by three antihistamine drugs. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1975 Mar.; 55, 3: 180–5.
8. Kettelhut B, Berkebile C, Bradley D, Metcalfe D. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of ketotifen versus hydroxyzine in the treatment of pediatric mastocytosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989 May; 83, 5: 866–70)
9. Broder L, Lean N, Hilsenbeck S. A randomized blinded clinical trial comparing delta–9–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and hydroxizine (HZ) as antiemetics (AE) for cancer chemotherapy (CT). PROC-AM-ASSOC-CANCER-RES; 1982; 23:514.
10. Vitale M, Fields-Blache C, Luterman. A Severe itching in the patient with burns. J burn care & rehabilitation 1991; 12, 4: 330–3.
11. Kaim S, Klett C, B. Rothfeld. Treatment of the acute alcohol withdrawal state: a comparison of four drugs. Agressologie: revue internationale de physio-biologie et de pharmacologie appliquees aux effets de l’agression, 1968; 9, 2: 305–8.
12. Chignon G. Le trouble anxiete Generalise: du probleme diagnostique au defi therapeutique. Nervure Jpsychiat 1988; 11 (suppl.): 1–16.
13. Wittchen H–U, Jakobi F. Size and burden of mental disorders in Europe – a critical review and appraisal of 27 studies. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2005; 15:357–76; see the February issue of our magazine for details).
14. Goodwin R, Gorman J. Psychopharmakologic Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and risk of major Depression. Am J Psychiat 2002; 159: 1935–7
15. Goodwin R.D., Jack M. Gorman. Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Psychotropic Drugs and Risk of Major Depressive Disorder
16. Martin P. Coprescription, Antidepresseurs et anxiolytiques: consequences pratiques de la meilleure connaissance desmecanismes d’action putatifs des anxiolytiques. Actuel Psychiat 2001; 19(1/2): 2–7.
17. Ferreri M, Hantouche T, M. Billardon. Interet de l’hydroxizyne dans des trouble d’anxiete generalisee: etude controlee en double aveugle versus placebo. L’encephale 1994; 20:785–91.
18. Llorka P. et al. Efficasy and safety of hydroxisyne in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a 3–month double–blind study. J Clin Psychiatry 2002; 63:1020–7.
19. Lader Scotto J. A multicenter double–blind comparison of hydroxizine, buspirone and placebo in a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. Psychopharmacology 1998; 139:402–6.
20. De Brabander A, Deberdt W. Effect of hydroxizyne on attentijn and memory. Human Psychopharmacology 1990; 357–62.
21. Samuelian J, Billardon M, Guillou N. Retentissment sur les functions cognitives de deux traitments anxiolitiques chez des patients souffrant d’anxiete generalisee. L’encephale 1995; 21:147
22. Andryushchenko A.V., Beskova D.A., Romanov D.V. Psychopharmacotherapy of generalized anxiety (experience with Stresam and Atarax) Mental disorders in general medicine No. 1; pages 33–36
23. Rezakov A.A. Experience in the use of hydroxyzine (atarax) in pediatric and adolescent practice. “PHARMindex-Practician” issue 10; 2006, pp. 37–39

Tranquilizers. Continued

Carbamic esters of substituted propanediol

Meprotan (Meprotanum). Synonyms: Meprobamate, Andaxin, Gadexyl, Quantil, Sedral, Tranqul, etc. Blocks the transmission of excitation in the interneurons of the spinal cord, thalamus and hypothalamus, due to this it has a general sedative, muscle relaxant effect, has anticonvulsant activity, enhances the effect of hypnotics and painkillers without affecting the autonomic nervous system. As a sedative and anxiolytic, it is indicated for the treatment of neurosis and neurosis-like conditions, including those associated with severe somatic diseases or accompanied by muscle hypertension, as well as joint diseases with muscle spasms. It is also used in the treatment of vegetative dystonia, premenstrual tension syndrome, menopause, initial forms of hypertension, gastric ulcer, skin itching, before operations, etc., since it eliminates the anxiety of patients associated with this pathology and dangerous interventions.

It is administered orally after meals 2-3 times a day, 200-400 mg per dose. The dose may be increased to 2-3 g/day. For insomnia, 200-600 mg is prescribed half an hour before bedtime. The highest dose for adults is 800 mg / day.

For children aged 3-8 years, meprotan is prescribed 100-200 mg 2-3 times a day, at the age of 8-14 years – 200 mg 2-3 times a day. Increasing and decreasing doses is done gradually. Sudden discontinuation of the drug may lead to the resumption of fear, anxiety, insomnia.

Possible side effects: allergic reactions, symptoms of dyspepsia, increased drowsiness, feeling of heaviness in the limbs, impaired coordination of movements. In some cases, there is euphoria. Usually these phenomena disappear in the coming days after the drug is discontinued. There is a risk of addiction to meprotan.

Presentation: 200 mg tablets in a pack of 20.

Diphenylmethane derivatives

Amizil (Amizilum). Synonyms: Benactizin, Actozint, Lucidil, Phobex, Procalm, etc. Central anticholinergic, blocks predominantly m-cholinergic receptors. It has a calming effect, enhances the effect of barbiturates, other hypnotics, analgesics, local anesthetics, inhibits the cough reflex and blocks the effects of excitation of the vagus nerve, resulting in mydriasis, decreased secretion of the glands, and reduced smooth muscle tone. It is now rarely used in psychiatric practice. In somatic medicine, it is used for Parkinson’s disease, spasms of smooth muscles, cough, before surgery, as a mydriatic agent in the diagnosis of eye diseases, etc.

It is administered orally after meals 3-4 times a day, 1-2 mg (adults). The course of treatment is up to 6 weeks. When coughing, 1-2 mg is prescribed 1-3 times a day.

Side effects are mainly due to the anticholinergic properties of amizil. Like atropine, it can cause dry mouth, increased heart rate, mydriasis, etc., and due to its local anesthetic effect, numbness of the tongue and palate. Euphoria and slight dizziness are sometimes observed, with an overdose – motor and mental agitation, convulsions, hallucinations.

Presentation: 1 mg and 2 mg tablets; powder (for solution preparation in ophthalmic practice).

Tranquilizers of different chemical groups

This refers to “small” tranquilizers, inferior in strength to benzodiazepines, especially sibazon and phenazepam, but they depress patients less and in therapeutic doses do not cause significant muscle relaxation. In addition, they do not have an anticonvulsant effect.

1. Oxylidine – see “Other antidepressants”.

2. Mebicarum. Synonym: Mebix. It has a moderate tranquilizing activity, enhances the effect of hypnotics, improves the quality of sleep. It does not have anticholinergic and muscle relaxant activity, does not disturb the coordination of movements, does not cause addiction, does not accumulate. It is used in the treatment of neurosis and neurosis-like conditions with anxiety, fears, affective tension, emotional lability, and also as a means of reducing the craving for smoking tobacco.

Assigned orally, regardless of food intake, 300-500 mg 2-3 times a day (adults). The maximum daily dose is 10 g. The duration of the course of treatment is up to 2-3 months. Smokers are prescribed 300-900 mg / day for 5-6 weeks.

Side effects: possible decrease in blood pressure and body temperature, which usually normalize on their own. If itching occurs, the drug should be discontinued.

Presentation: 300 mg and 500 mg tablets in a pack of 10.

3. Trioxazin (Trioxazin). Synonyms: Trimetozin, Sedoxazin, Trimetozine. Moderate anxiolytic with an activating effect, improves mood. It is used for neurotic disorders with lethargy, adynamia, lethargy.

300 mg 2 times a day (adults) is administered orally after meals. The dose for 3-4 days, if necessary, can be increased to 1200-1800 mg / day, in some cases – up to 3000 mg / day. Children are prescribed ¼ – ½ tablets up to 3-5 times a day (depending on age).

Side effects usually occur with relatively large doses of the drug. There may be weakness, lethargy, mild nausea, drowsiness, sometimes allergic reactions, dyspepsia, dry mouth and throat. Rarely there is an increase in anxiety, tension, fear. Perhaps the development of addiction to trioxazine.

Presentation: 0.3 g tablets in a package of 20 pieces.

4. Tofisopam (Tofizopam). Synonyms: Grandaxin, Grandaxin. It has a tranquilizing activity, similar in strength to that of benzodiazepines, as well as a psychoactivating property. It does not have a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant effect. It is indicated in the treatment of neurosis and neurosis-like conditions with fears, anxiety, lethargy and autonomic disorders, as well as apathy and decreased activity. It is also used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Assigned orally, regardless of food intake, 50-100 mg 1-3 times a day (adults). For children, elderly patients, the daily dose is reduced by about 2 times. The course of treatment should not exceed 12 weeks, including the time of gradual increase and decrease in dosage.

Side effects: possible dyspepsia, allergic reactions (rash, pruritus), irritability and aggressiveness. In such cases, the drug should be discontinued. There may also be sleep disturbances, nausea, gastralgia, exanthema, decreased muscle tone, and rarely, withdrawal syndrome. Simultaneous use of drugs that depress the central nervous system and grandaxin can increase depression.

Contraindications for use: psychosis and psychopathy with severe psychomotor agitation, aggressiveness or deep depression, respiratory failure, hypersensitivity. Do not prescribe the drug to women in the first trimester of pregnancy, during breastfeeding, as well as to persons whose work requires a quick mental and motor reaction.

Presentation: 50 mg tablets in a pack of 20.

5. Atarax. Synonyms: Hydroxyzine, Atazina, Hydroxacen, Hydroxyzinum, Neucalm, Othatrex, Ulgrax, Vistazine, etc. Piperazine derivative. It blocks the central m-choline and histamine receptors, inhibits the activity of certain subcortical structures. Moderate anxiolytic fast acting (clinical effect occurs within 15-30 minutes after ingestion) with a pronounced sedative effect. Has antiemetic activity. It is indicated for use in the treatment of neurosis and neurosis-like conditions (with mental illness, post-stress disorder, alcoholism, organic diseases of the central nervous system) with fears, anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, frightening dreams.

It is administered orally and intramuscularly. When taken orally, the drug in psychiatric practice is prescribed at a dose of up to 100-300 mg / day, regardless of food intake, in 2-3 doses (for adults). Atarax is prescribed for children at a dose of 1 mg / kg of body weight and individual tolerance.

In case of acute psychomotor agitation, atarax is administered intramuscularly (50–150 mg/day) with subsequent transition to oral administration.

Side effects: drowsiness (especially at the beginning of treatment), weakness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth. If drowsiness does not disappear after a few days after the start of treatment, the dose of the drug should be reduced. With a significant excess of the dose, there may be tremor, convulsions, confusion.

Contraindications for use: acute form of porphyria, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hypersensitivity. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with renal insufficiency.

Presentation: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets in packs of 100; solution of hydroxyzine hydrochloride for injection in ampoules of 25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml.

6. Butiroksam (Butiroxam). Blocks central and peripheral alpha-adrenergic receptors, has a weak n-anticholinergic activity. Reduces mental stress, anxiety, itching, lowers blood pressure. Indicated for the treatment of itchy dermatoses (eczema, urticaria, neurodermatitis), withdrawal symptoms in alcoholism and drug addiction, diencephalic pathology of the sympathoadrenal type and panic attacks, post-infectious hypothalamic disorders.

It is administered orally, regardless of food intake, 3-4 times a day at a dose of up to 150 mg/day. The duration of treatment is 2-4 weeks. If necessary, administered parenterally (s / c or / m) 1-2 ml 1-4 times a day. The effect of the drug is enhanced by anticholinergics and antihistamines.

Side effects: decrease in blood pressure, increased frequency of angina attacks. In case of overdose, bradycardia and vascular collapse are possible.

Contraindications for use: hypotension, heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, angina pectoris, glaucoma.

7. Mexidol (Mexidolum). Synonym: Oxymethylethylpyridine succinate. Antioxidant, stimulates the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids, restores the structure and function of membranes, transport connections of neurotransmitters, improves synaptic transmission and interconnection of brain structures, etc. It has an anxiolytic, nootropic, cerebroprotective, adaptogenic effect. It is used to treat dyscirculatory encephalopathy, vegetative dystonia, psychosomatic diseases, neuroses and neurosis-like disorders with manifestations of anxiety, fear, emotional stress, as well as memory and attention disorders, alcohol withdrawal, acute neuroleptic intoxication.

Assigned orally, regardless of food intake, 250-500 mg for 2-3 doses for 2-6 weeks, followed by a gradual withdrawal of the drug (for adults). The maximum dose is 600-800 mg / day. Relief of alcohol withdrawal: a course of 5-7 days.

In the treatment of neurosis and neurosis-like conditions, it is also prescribed intramuscularly up to 400 mg / day, alcohol withdrawal – intramuscularly 100-200 mg 2-3 times a day or intravenously drip 1-2 times a day. In case of acute intoxication with antipsychotics, it is prescribed intravenously (for 5–7 minutes) 300 mg / day. Parenterally, the drug is prescribed in the treatment of acute cerebrovascular accident in/in drip, 200–300 mg/day for the first 2–4 days, then IM, 100 mg 3 times a day. In the treatment of dyscirculatory encephalopathy and vegetative dystonia, intramuscular injections of 50-100 mg 3 times a day are recommended, and in the treatment of atherosclerotic dementia in the elderly, intramuscular injections of the drug at 100-300 mg / day are recommended.

Also recommended for persons working in emergency and complicated situations (rescuers, combatants, etc.).

Side effects: nausea, bitterness and dry mouth, drowsiness.

Contraindications for use: hypersensitivity, acute disorders of the liver and kidneys, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

Presentation: tablets, solution in ampoules.

8. Benzoclidine (Benzoclidine). Inhibits the reticular formation and activity of cortical neurons, moderately blocks ganglia, adrenergic and histamine receptors, does not have a central muscle relaxant effect. It is indicated for the treatment of anxiety-depressive states in neurosis, psychopathy, cyclothymia, as well as somatic diseases (hypertension, sinus tachycardia, paroxysmal tachycardia).

It is administered orally regardless of food intake at a dose of up to 500 mg/day for 3-4 doses (adults). The initial dose for adults is 20 mg 3-4 times a day. Doses are increased and decreased gradually, the course of treatment is up to 2 months or more. When administered parenterally, the drug is prescribed s / c or / m in a daily dose of 200-300 mg, injections are made 2 times a day.

Side effects: addiction, addiction, withdrawal syndrome, impaired liver and kidney function, xerostomia, dyspepsia, allergic reactions. The drug enhances the effect of hypnotics and anesthetics, analgesics, antipsychotics, alcohol, antihypertensive drugs.

Contraindications for use: hypersensitivity, hypotension, impaired liver and kidney function, myasthenia gravis, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

Presentation: 20 mg tablets; solution in ampoules of 20 mg.

9. Phenibut or gamma-amino-beta-phenylbutyric acid hydrochloride. Anxiolytic, nootropic, has a psychoactivating effect, enhances the effect of hypnotics, narcotics, neuroleptics, and, according to some reports, antiparkinsonian drugs.