Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Anxiolytics, Non-Benzodiazepines
First generation (sedating) Antihistamines
Other Antiemetics and Antinauseants
DEA CLASS
Rx
DESCRIPTION
HOW SUPPLIED
For the short-term treatment of anxiety, tension, and psychomotor agitation in conditions
of emotional stress.
Oral dosage
Adults
Geriatric Adults
50 to 100 mg PO 4 times daily as needed is the usual adult dose, adjusted to patient response. In
general, begin with a lower dose in the geriatric adult and monitor closely. The efficacy of
hydroxyzine as an anti-anxiety agent in long-term use (i.e., more than 4 months) has not been
established. Periodically reassess the clinical response of the individual patient. In general, begin
with a lower dose in the geriatric adult and monitor closely. The federal Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulates the use of anxiolytics in long-term care facility (LTCF)
residents. According to OBRA, hydroxyzine is considered inappropriate for use as an anxiolytic
in skilled care residents.
50 to 100 mg/day PO, given in divided doses. Alternatively, some pediatric texts recommend 2
mg/kg/day PO given in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Other alternatives include 15
mg/m2/day given in divided doses.
50 mg/day PO, given in divided doses. Alternatively, some pediatric texts recommend 2
mg/kg/day PO given in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Other alternatives include 15
mg/m2/day given in divided doses.
Intramuscular dosage
Adults
50 to 100 mg IM initially, may repeat every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Switch to oral therapy when
practicable.
Geriatric Adults
50 to 100 mg IM initially, may repeat every 4 to 6 hours as needed. In general, begin with a
lower dose and monitor closely. Switch to oral therapy when practicable. The federal Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulates the use of anxiolytics in long-term care facility
(LTCF) residents. According to OBRA, hydroxyzine is considered inappropriate for use as an
anxiolytic in skilled care residents.
50 to 100 mg/day PO, in divided doses. Alternatively, some pediatric texts recommend 2
mg/kg/day PO given in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Other alternatives include 15
mg/m2/day given in divided doses.
For the treatment of nausea/vomiting, excluding the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Intramuscular dosage
Adults
25 to 100 mg IM.
Intramuscular dosage
Adults
Geriatric Adults
Intramuscular dosage
Adults
Hydroxyzine is not commonly used for this purpose. Up to 150 mg/day PO, given in divided
doses, has been reported effective for seasonal allergies. Drowsiness and dry mouth are
frequently reported.
MAXIMUM DOSAGE
Adults
Geriatric
Adolescents
100 mg/day PO or 2 mg/kg/day PO; 1.1 mg/kg IM as a single dose.
Children
6 years and older: 100 mg/day PO or 2 mg/kg/day PO; 1.1 mg/kg IM as a single dose.
5 years and younger: 50 mg/day PO or 2 mg/kg/day PO; 1.1 mg/kg IM as a single dose.
Infants
Neonates
DOSING CONSIDERATIONS
Hepatic Impairment
Dosage reduction may be necessary based on clinical response and degree of hepatic
impairment; hydroxyzine is primarily metabolized by the liver.
Renal Impairment
Intermittent hemodialysis
See dosage for CrCl < 10 mL/min. Hydroxyzine is not effectively removed by hemodialysis;
may accumulate in ESRD.
ADMINISTRATION
Oral Administration
Oral Solid Formulations
Hydroxyzine injection is intended only for intramuscular administration. Do NOT, under any
circumstances, inject subcutaneously, intra-arterially or intravenously.
Visually inspect products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration,
whenever solution and container permit.
Intramuscular Administration
Inject intramuscularly well within the body of a relatively large muscle. Inadvertent
subcutaneous injection may result in significant tissue damage.
Adults: The preferred site is the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, (i.e., the gluteus maximus),
or the mid-lateral thigh. The deltoid area should be used only if well developed such as in certain
adults, and then only with caution to avoid radial nerve injury. Do NOT inject IM into the lower
and mid-third of the upper arm.
Children: Preferably administer in the mid-lateral muscles of the thigh. The deltoid area should
be used only if well developed such as in certain older children, and then only with caution to
avoid radial nerve injury. Do NOT inject IM into the lower and mid-third of the upper arm.
Infants and small children: Preferably administer in the mid-lateral muscles of the thigh. The
periphery of the upper outer quadrant of the gluteal region should be used only when necessary,
such as in burn patients, to minimize the possibility of damage to the sciatic nerve.[47129]
STORAGE
Generic:
- Discard product if it contains particulate matter, is cloudy, or discolored
- Discard unused portion. Do not store for later use.
- Protect from light
- Store between 68 to 77 degrees F, excursions permitted 59 to 86 degrees F
ANX :
- Store between 68 to 77 degrees F, excursions permitted 59 to 86 degrees F
Atarax:
- Store between 68 to 77 degrees F, excursions permitted 59 to 86 degrees F
Hyzine :
- Discard product if it contains particulate matter, is cloudy, or discolored
- Discard unused portion. Do not store for later use.
- Protect from light
- Store between 68 to 77 degrees F, excursions permitted 59 to 86 degrees F
Rezine:
- Store between 68 to 77 degrees F, excursions permitted 59 to 86 degrees F
Vistaril:
- Store at controlled room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F)
CONTRAINDICATIONS / PRECAUTIONS
Hydroxyzine hypersensitivity
Hydroxyzine is contraindicated for use in patients with a known hydroxyzine hypersensitivity or
hypersensitivity to any of the formulation components. Also, hydroxyzine is contraindicated in
patients with a cetirizine hypersensitivity or levocetirizine hypersensitivity, as these are known
human metabolites of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine may rarely cause acute generalized
exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a serious skin reaction characterized by fever and numerous
small, superficial, non-follicular, sterile pustules, arising within large areas of edematous
erythema. Inform patients about the signs of AGEP, and discontinue hydroxyzine at the first
appearance of a skin rash, worsening of pre-existing skin reactions which hydroxyzine may be
used to treat, or any other sign of hypersensitivity. If signs or symptoms suggest AGEP, do not
resume hydroxyzine therapy and consider alternative therapy. Avoid cetirizine or levocetirizine
in patients who have experienced AGEP or other hypersensitivity reactions with hydroxyzine,
due to the risk of cross-sensitivity.
The anticholinergic activity of sedating antihistamines (H-1 blockers) like hydroxyzine may
result in thickened bronchial secretions in the respiratory tract and may aggravate chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in some patients. Although antihistamines should
generally be avoided during an acute asthmatic attack, the use of antihistamines is not precluded
in all patients with asthma or COPD. Antihistamines can reverse some of the harmful effects of
histamine in patients with an allergic component to their asthma. Antihistamines are typically not
contraindicated in asthma unless previous adverse reactions to the drugs have been observed.
Post-marketing data indicate that hydroxyzine causes QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes
(TdP); therefore, the drug is contraindicated in patients with a known history of QT prolongation.
The majority of the post-marketing reports for QT prolongation with hydroxyzine occurred in
patients with other risk factors for QT prolongation/TdP (e.g., pre-existing cardiac disease,
uncorrected electrolyte imbalance such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, or concomitant
arrhythmogenic drug use). Hydroxyzine should be used with caution in patients with risk factors
for QT prolongation, including congenital long QT syndrome, a family history of long QT
syndrome, other conditions that predispose to QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias, as
well as recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated heart failure, and bradycardia. Caution is
recommended during the concomitant use of drugs known to prolong the QT interval. In
addition, although cardiovascular effects of piperazine antihistamines like hydroxyzine are
uncommon, antihistamines should generally be used conservatively in patients with cardiac
disease. The quinidine-like local anesthetic and anticholinergic effects of some antihistamines
are responsible for the adverse cardiac effects that have been observed including tachycardia,
ECG changes, hypotension, and arrhythmias, particularly with overdosage. Hydroxyzine
overdose may cause QT prolongation and TdP; ECG monitoring is recommended in cases of
hydroxyzine overdose.
Use hydroxyzine with caution in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.
Prolongation of the drug half-life and reduced clearances of the drug and its metabolites may
occur. Neither hydroxyzine or the metabolite, cetirizine, are appreciably removed during
dialysis, and accumulation may occur in patients with renal failure. Dosage reduction of
hydroxyzine may be necessary and has been recommended in patient populations with reduced
renal function. Elderly patients may be more likely to have age-related decline in renal function;
use care in dose selection.
Labor, pregnancy
No adequately large, controlled, prospective studies exist for the use of hydroxyzine in early
human pregnancy. Thus the manufacturer of the drug considers use in the first trimester of
pregnancy (early pregnancy) to be contraindicated, based on the lack of adequate human study
and the fact that the drug is teratogenic in mice, rats, and rabbits. Smaller, earlier analyses of
hydroxyzine exposure during early pregnancy indicate a possible relationship between drug
exposure in the first trimester and minor congenital abnormalities in the fetus; more recent
epidemiologic and prospective data have not concurred and appear to indicate a low potential for
fetal risk in humans. However, prospective data of adequate sample size are not available to
draw absolute conclusions. Antihistamines are usually not recommended for use in the last 2
weeks of pregnancy due to a possible association between these drugs and retrolental fibroplasia
in premature babies. Seizures, thought to be due to hydroxyzine withdrawal, have also been
reported in a newborn whose mother was taking hydroxyzine during the third trimester.
Hydroxyzine is sometimes given intermittently during labor or around the time of obstetric
delivery to relieve anxiety, and is usually considered safe and effective for this purpose;
however, occasional fetal heart rate variability might be observed. When used during labor and
concurrently with narcotics, the narcotic requirement may be reduced as much as 50% and this
reduction in needed narcotic therapy may be of benefit to mother and fetus. Use concurrent
narcotics with caution to avoid hypotension.
Breast-feeding
The manufacturer warns against the use of hydroxyzine during breast-feeding. It is unknown
whether hydroxyzine is excreted into breast milk; however, the molecular weight of the drug is
low enough that excretion into breast milk should be expected. The effects of the drug on the
nursing infant are unknown. In general, many first-generation antihistamines are not
recommended for use during lactation, since irritability, drowsiness, unusual excitement or other
infant effects might be observed. Antihistamines can lower basal prolactin secretion and may
interfere with the establishment of lactation. Consider treatment alternatives to hydroxyzine.
Loratadine may be considered as an alternative for the treatment of allergy symptoms. Because
of its lack of sedation and low milk concentrations, maternal use would not be expected to cause
adverse effects in breast-fed babies and loratadine is considered usually compatible with breast-
feeding. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology also recommends loratadine at
the lowest dose as a preferred antihistamine in breast-feeding women. Consider the benefits of
breast-feeding, the risk of potential infant drug exposure, and the risk of an untreated or
inadequately treated condition. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to
a maternally ingested drug, healthcare providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to
the FDA.
Hydroxyzine safety and efficacy has not been established in infants. Hydroxyzine may cause
subjective somnolence in children, which may temporarily impair cognitive function.
Paradoxically, hyperexcitability can occur in pediatric patients. Antihistamines should not be
used in neonates or premature neonates; these age groups are especially sensitive to
anticholinergic effects and the use of antihistamines may increase the risk of CNS stimulation or
convulsions.
The geriatric patient is generally more likely to experience anticholinergic or other CNS side
effects of the sedating antihistamines. Initially, low doses of hydroxyzine should be used in the
older adult, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and
of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. The anticholinergic effects of hydroxyzine are
additive to those of other anticholinergic medications, particularly in the elderly. According to
the Beers Criteria, first-generation antihistamines are considered potentially inappropriate
medications (PIMs) in geriatric patients and should be avoided because they are highly
anticholinergic, there is reduced clearance in advanced age, tolerance develops when used as
hypnotics, and there is a greater risk of anticholinergic effects (e.g., confusion, dry mouth,
constipation) and toxicity compared to younger adults. Avoid drugs with strong anticholinergic
activity in geriatric patients with the following conditions due to the potential for symptom
exacerbation or adverse effects: dementia/cognitive impairment (adverse CNS effects),
delirium/high risk of delirium (new-onset or worsening delirium), or lower urinary tract
symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia in men (urinary retention or hesitancy). The federal
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulates medication use in residents of long-term
care facilities; cough, cold, and allergy medications should be used only for a limited duration
(less than 14 days) unless there is documented evidence of enduring symptoms that cannot
otherwise be alleviated and for which a cause cannot be identified and corrected. Antihistamines
(e.g., first-generation agents) have strong anticholinergic properties and are not considered
medications of choice in older individuals. If administered, use the smallest possible dose.
Anticholinergics may cause excessive sedation, confusion, cognitive impairment, distress, dry
mouth, constipation, and urinary retention. Many of these effects may lead to other adverse
consequences, such as falls. The OBRA guidelines also provide criteria for use and tapering
requirements for sedating antihistamines used as sedative/hypnotics, such as hydroxyzine.
OBRA considers hydroxyzine inappropriate for use as an anxiolytic in the geriatric skilled care
resident.
Drowsiness has been reported with hydroxyzine; patients receiving this drug should be advised
to avoid driving or operating machinery until the effects of the drug are known. The effects of
ethanol may be additive to hydroxyzine; patients should be advised that ethanol ingestion, and
particularly ethanol intoxication, should be avoided while taking hydroxyzine. Rarely, cardiac
arrests and death have been reported in association with the combined use of hydroxyzine
hydrochloride intramuscularly and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. When
coadministration with other CNS depressants occurs with hydroxyzine, such as preoperatively or
prepartum, be alert that narcotic or other CNS depressant dose requirements may need to be
reduced as much as 50%. The efficacy of hydroxyzine as an adjunctive pre- and post- surgery
sedative medication has also been well established, especially with regard to its ability to relieve
anxiety, control emesis, and reduce the amount of narcotic required.
Intramuscular hydroxyzine injections may result in severe injection site reactions (including
extensive tissue damage, tissue necrosis, and gangrene) requiring surgical intervention (including
debridement, skin grafting and amputation). Hydroxyzine hydrochloride intramuscular solution
is intended only for intramuscular administration and should not, under any circumstances, be
injected via subcutaneous administration, intra-arterial administration, or intravenous
administration.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Severe
Moderate
Mild
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Pregnancy
The manufacturer warns against the use of hydroxyzine during breast-feeding. It is unknown
whether hydroxyzine is excreted into breast milk; however, the molecular weight of the drug is
low enough that excretion into breast milk should be expected. The effects of the drug on the
nursing infant are unknown. In general, many first-generation antihistamines are not
recommended for use during lactation, since irritability, drowsiness, unusual excitement or other
infant effects might be observed. Antihistamines can lower basal prolactin secretion and may
interfere with the establishment of lactation. Consider treatment alternatives to hydroxyzine.
Loratadine may be considered as an alternative for the treatment of allergy symptoms. Because
of its lack of sedation and low milk concentrations, maternal use would not be expected to cause
adverse effects in breast-fed babies and loratadine is considered usually compatible with breast-
feeding. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology also recommends loratadine at
the lowest dose as a preferred antihistamine in breast-feeding women. Consider the benefits of
breast-feeding, the risk of potential infant drug exposure, and the risk of an untreated or
inadequately treated condition. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to
a maternally ingested drug, healthcare providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to
the FDA.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Hydroxyzine competes with histamine for H1-receptor sites on the effector cell surface.
Blockade of H1-receptors also suppresses the formation of edema, flare, and pruritus that result
from histaminic activity. The sedative properties of hydroxyzine occur at the subcortical level of
the CNS, and, as mentioned above, this effect may be dose-related. Hydroxyzine has some
antiemetic actions secondary to its central anticholinergic actions. Hydroxyzine also
demonstrates antiarrhythmic, analgesic, local anesthetic, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties
as well as bronchodilatory and mild antisecretory effects. Although antihistamines possess
intrinsic analgesic properties (perhaps secondary to interfering with nociception), they should not
be considered potent analgesics.
PHARMACOKINETICS
Oral Route
Hydroxyzine is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. The oral dosages of hydroxyzine
pamoate and hydroxyzine hydrochloride are considered equivalent. The onset of effect for
hydroxyzine occurs between 15 to 60 minutes, with a usual duration of action of 4 to 6 hours.
The inflammatory response and pruritus can be suppressed for up to 4 days.
Intramuscular Route
8 Donner NC, Lowry CA. Sex differences in anxiety and emotional behavior. Pflügers Archiv-
European Journal of Physiology. 2013 May 1;465(5):601-26.