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Indication
For symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested. Useful in the management of pruritus due to allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria.

Pharmacology
Hydroxyzine, a piperazine antihistamine structurally related to buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine, is used to treat histamine-mediated pruritus or pruritus due to allergy, nausea and vomiting, and, in combination with an opiate agonist, anxiolytic pain. Hydroxyzine is also used as a perioperative sedative and anxiolytic and to manage acute alcohol withdrawal. Hydroxyzine's active metabolite, cetirizine, is also used as an H₁-antagonist.

Mechanism Of Action
Hydroxyzine competes with histamine for binding at H₁-receptor sites on the effector cell surface, resulting in suppression of histaminic edema, flare, and pruritus. The sedative properties of hydroxyzine occur at the subcortical level of the CNS. Secondary to its central anticholinergic actions, hydroxyzine may be effective as an antiemetic.

Drug Category
Antipruritics; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Anxiolytics sedatives and hypnotics; ATC:N05BB01

Brand Names/Synonyms
Alamon; Atara; Atarax; Atarax Base; Ataraxoid; Atarazoid; Atarox; Atazina; Aterax; CHEMBANK2612; Deinait; Durrax; Equipoise; Equipose; Fenarol; HSDB 3098; Hidroxizina [Inn-Spanish]; Hy-Pam 25; Hychotine; Hydroksyzyny; Hydroksyzyny [Polish]; Hydroxine; Hydroxizine; Hydroxizinum; Hydroxycine; Hydroxyzin; Hydroxyzine; Hydroxyzine Base; Hydroxyzine Hcl; Hydroxyzine Pamoate; Hydroxyzinum [Inn-Latin]; Hydroxyzyne; Idrossizina; Idrossizina [Dcit]; Masmoran; NP 212; Neo-Calma; Neurozina; Nevrolaks; Orgatrax; Pamazone; Parenteral; Paxistil; Placidol; Plaxidol; Quiess; Tran-Q; Tranquizine; Traquizine; U.C.B 4492; U.CB 4492; UCB 4492; UCB 492; UCB-4492; Vesparaz-Wirkstoff; Vistaril; Vistaril Pamoate; Vistazine

Dosage Forms
CAPSULE; LIQUID; SOLUTION; SYRUP

Absorption
Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract

Interactions
Interactions for Hydroxyzine:

THE POTENTIATING ACTION OF HYDROXYZINE MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE DRUG IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS SUCH AS NARCOTICS, NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS AND BARBITURATES. Therefore when central nervous system depressants are administered concomitantly with hydroxyzine their dosage should be reduced.

Since drowsiness may occur with use of this drug, patients should be warned of this possibility and cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking Atarax. Patients should be advised against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs, and cautioned that the effect of alcohol may be increased.

Chemical IUPAC Name
2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenyl-methyl]piperazin-1-yl]ethoxy]ethanol

Chemical Formula
C21H27ClN2O2

Half Life
20 to 25 hours

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00688

CAS Registry Number
68-88-2