More than 30 percent of adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making them the most common mental health condition in the United States.
Many people experience anxiety and do not take medications.
However, living with any type of acute or long-term anxiety disorder can significantly affect quality of life.
There are many different types of medications used to treat anxiety.
One common prescription medication that your doctor may use for anxiety is hydroxyzine, a type of antihistamine.
In this article we’ll explore how hydroxyzine treats anxiety, common side effects, precautions, and how to know when to see a doctor.
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Hydroxyzine for Anxiety
Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine that has been used for many years.
Histamine is a chemical that your body releases as part of its immune response, which then stimulates histamine receptors.
When histamine receptors are stimulated, it can cause symptoms like:
Anxiety, panic attacks, and tension
Flushing from the dilation of veins
Coughing
Lung and gastrointestinal contraction (such as asthma, intestinal cramping, or diarrhea)
Hives, rashes, and other anaphylaxis symptoms
Because it is an antihistamine, hydroxyzine suppresses the effects of histamine.
It is prescribed for:
Itching from hives or contact dermatitis
Symptoms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Tension
Panic attacks
Sedation before general anesthesia
Hydroxyzine is in the same class of drugs as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is also a first-generation antihistamine, and cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is a second generation H-1 antihistamine that works in a similar way.
All these medications act on H-1 histamine receptors.
H-1 receptors are found all over the body, including:
Uterine lining
Central nervous system (CNS)
Cardiac tissue
Gastrointestinal tissues
Vascular cells
Smooth muscle of the lungs
Immune cells
Hydroxyzine is not typically used long-term for anxiety, but may be prescribed as a way to relieve symptoms while longer-acting medications become effective.
It may also be used for people who do not have chronic anxiety, but only need occasional relief during stressful moments or episodes.
By blocking the effect of histamine, it can decrease the anxiety-related effect that too much histamine can stimulate.
Hydroxyzine, unlike other antihistamines, also affects serotonin, a brain chemical that helps with feelings of calm, stability, and balance.
Because hydroxyzine can help your brain retain more serotonin, it might have a longer effect on feelings of anxiety and mood.
If insomnia or sleep problems are related to anxiety, hydroxyzine may be doubly impactful by having a sleep-inducing effect while also supporting serotonin levels.
How quickly does hydroxyzine work?
In most cases, patients will start to see effects within 15-30 minutes.
The maximum impact is usually felt within 2 hours of taking a dose.
Side effects may also be felt just as quickly, such as drowsiness.
Until you know how hydroxyzine affects you, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery.
Is Hydroxyzine Habit-Forming?
Many types of anxiety medications may be habit-forming.
These include benzodiazepines like Xanax, which is a controlled substance because of the significant risk of addiction, dependence, and potential abuse.
Unlike Xanax, hydroxyzine is not addictive, and will not lead to dependence.
It is not a controlled substance, though it still requires a prescription from a medical provider.
Hydroxyzine Side Effects
Common side effects
Common side effects of hydroxyzine are usually milder for lower doses, and may be more noticeable with a higher dose. They also may wear off as your body adjusts to the medication.
They include:
More serious side effects
Pairing hydroxyzine with other medications or substances that can affect brain chemicals or cause drowsiness, like alcohol, could lead to more serious effects.
Serious side effects of hydroxyzine can include:
Seizures
Fever
Unintentional tremoring, trembling, or shaking
Rash or redness of the skin
Pus-filled or blister-like sores
Stop taking hydroxyzine if you experience severe reactions, and tell your healthcare provider right away.
Tell your doctor about other prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements or herbs that you are taking, since they all have the potential to interact with drugs, including hydroxyzine.
Hydroxyzine Common Dosage
Hydroxyzine is available as a generic, either as hydroxyzine hydrochloride or hydroxyzine pamoate.
Hydroxyzine pamoate is also available under a name brand as Vistaril.
All these medications have the same active ingredient.
Hydroxyzine’s dosage depends on your symptoms.
It can be taken as needed, and does not require consistent dosing for effectiveness.
However, hydroxyzine is not meant to be a long-term medication for anxiety relief.
It is typically used for acute relief of anxiety episodes, or to provide support until a longer-acting medication begins to work.
Hydroxyzine is not preventive, but is meant to be taken only as needed.
For anxiety, common dosages range from 25-100 mg up to 4 times daily for adults.
Your prescription will include specific instructions about dosage and frequency.
Follow them closely, since it is possible to overdose on hydroxyzine.
If you experience a lot of side effects, your healthcare provider may reduce the dosage.
Precautions
Hydroxyzine is not a controlled substance and is not habit-forming, but like many other medications, there are important warnings and cautions to be aware of.
Hydroxyzine can interact with many other drugs.
It should also be avoided by people who have certain medication conditions or meet other health-related criteria.
Hydroxyzine drug interactions
Hydroxyzine interacts with many medications.
This is not a complete list.
Check with your healthcare provider and pharmacist to ensure that anything you are taking, or occasionally take, does not interact with hydroxyzine.
Do not take hydroxyzine with any of the following:
Other antihistamines
Certain antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa) or fluoxetine (Prozac)
Muscle relaxers
Other sleeping pills, sedatives, or tranquilizers
Antipsychotics
Anticonvulsant medication
Narcotic pain relievers
Malaria medication
Anti-nausea medications such as ondansetron (Zofran)
Certain antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), and erythromycin (Eryc)
Certain cancer treatments
Medications for HIV/AIDS
Certain heart rhythm medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, others), quinidine (Nuedexta), and sotalol (Sorine, Sotylize)
What to avoid
Do not take hydroxyzine if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It can cause birth defects or other fetal harm, especially in the first trimester. There are safer anxiety medications for pregnancy.
Do not take hydroxyzine if you are allergic to any active or inactive ingredients that it contains. You should also not take it if you are allergic to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal).
Hydroxyzine is not safe for people who have a prolonged QT interval or a history of heart attack, heart failure, or cardiovascular disease.
Do not take hydroxyzine if you are breastfeeding.
Hydroxyzine may not be safe for people who have or have had a history of low blood levels of potassium or magnesium.
Adults over age 65 may experience stronger side effects with hydroxyzine. There are safer medications for anxiety in older people.
Talk to a doctor online
Refill medications and get certain necessary prescriptions.
Start now
When to See a Doctor
If you have anxiety, or wonder whether hydroxyzine could help manage your anxiety symptoms, talk to your medical provider.
Your healthcare provider will consider your medical history and other medications when they consider the best prescription to address symptoms.
If you have concerns about taking a habit-forming medication for anxiety, hydroxyzine may be a safer alternative, as long as you don’t have any contraindicated health conditions.
While other antihistamines—like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)—are similar and available over-the-counter (OTC), they do not have the same anti-anxiety benefits that hydroxyzine does.
Hydroxyzine requires a prescription from a medical provider and is not available as an OTC option.
If you’re having a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also get free 24/7 support from a suicide and crisis expert by calling or texting 988. If you’d prefer to chat online, you can chat with a suicide and crisis expert by visiting the Lifeline Chat.
How K Health Can Help
Think you might need a prescription for Vistaril (hydroxyzine)?
K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine if hydroxyzine is right for you.
Get started with our free assessment, which will tell you in minutes if treatment could be a good fit. If yes, we’ll connect you right to a clinician who can prescribe medication and have it shipped right to your door.