Hydroxyzine: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medicine used mainly to relieve itching caused by allergic skin conditions. It can also help with anxiety and tension, and may be used as a sedative around general anaesthesia. Hydroxyzine is a generic medicine that requires a prescription in the United Kingdom.

Hydroxyzine is used for symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis. It may also be used alongside treatment for physical illnesses where anxiety is present. Hydroxyzine helps manage itching caused by allergic conditions, including chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

It can also be used for itching caused by histamine. As a sedative, hydroxyzine may be used before and after general anaesthesia. Its usefulness as a long-term treatment for anxiety beyond 4 months has not been assessed in systematic clinical studies, so the prescriber should review its usefulness periodically.

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. Histamine is a chemical involved in allergic reactions and can contribute to itching. By blocking histamine effects, hydroxyzine can reduce allergy-related itching.

Hydroxyzine also enters the central nervous system, where it can have a calming and sedating effect. This may help with anxiety and tension and may cause drowsiness when used around general anaesthesia.

Its anticholinergic activity can contribute to effects such as dry mouth. The response can vary between people, and drowsiness may be temporary or improve after continued treatment or a dose reduction.

The label lists oral solution at 10 mg/5 mL and oral tablets at 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg. Film-coated oral tablets are also listed in 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg strengths. The label lists adult anxiety dosing of 50 mg to 100 mg four times daily.

The label lists adult itching dosing of 25 mg three or four times daily. The label lists adult sedative dosing of 50 mg to 100 mg. The label lists children’s anxiety or itching dosing as 50 mg daily in divided doses for children under 6 years, and 50 mg to 100 mg daily in divided doses for children over 6 years.

The label lists 0.6 mg/kg for children when used as a sedative. The label states that dosing should be adjusted according to response.

A missed dose means that a scheduled dose was not taken at the expected time. General pharmacy advice is to follow the prescribed schedule when possible and avoid taking extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

If the next scheduled dose is close, a pharmacist or prescriber can advise on the safest approach. Advice may depend on whether hydroxyzine is being used for anxiety, itching or sedation.

Hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy because clinical data in human beings are inadequate to establish safety. Animal studies found fetal abnormalities in rats and mice at doses substantially above the human therapeutic range.

It is not known whether hydroxyzine passes into human milk, and the label states that it should not be given to nursing mothers. Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding with a doctor or pharmacist.

Store at 20° to 25°C and protect from moisture. Keep the contents tightly closed in a light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure, as directed on the label. Keep out of the reach of children.