I take hydroxyzine pamoate 25mg and now my doctor prescribed hydroxyzine hcl 50mg. What is the difference besides the mg?
What is the difference between hydroxyzine hcl and hydroxyzine pamoate?
Question posted by MissMary87 on 14 Feb 2014
Last updated on 28 November 2018 by SouthernTrouble
5 Answers
SouthernTrouble
28 Nov 2018
I realize this question is rather old but reading it made me stop.
Reading the initial question, answers and the replies just nagged at me to comment.
When you post questions about detailed specs on a drug... if you find yourself becoming annoyed or agitated with the answers being given, then it's probably important enough to ask a professional. Especially since there are 24 hour pharmacies all over the place, it's just a much safer option. I contact pharmacies all the time with questions even when the medication wasn't filled at their pharmacy. They're always happy to help.
Hope everyone has a happy (and healthy) holiday season! Be safe... remember to look both ways to check for reindeer before crossing the street! :)
Kae_S
22 Feb 2018
Well, I take both the hcl and pamoate. The hcl is used for my allergies to onions (hive breakout). It's also used by others for eczema other reasons for severe itching. The pamoate is use for my nausea and mild itching from surgery. It is also used by others for anxiety, etc. I use another medication for that.
CynthiaMerminod
20 Feb 2017
I don't know the difference medically. But I do know they must definitely be different some how. I've been on the Hydroxyzine PAM for quite some time for my anxiety an it has been working very well. My Dr made a mistake and sent a new script to my drug store for the Hydroxyzine HCL. I didn't think they were different so I went again an just took them the same way as the other. After about a wk or so I noticed the HCL was not working well for me at all. My therapist noticed the difference too. So there definitely is a differnce. I hope this answers helped
Mbacon
21 Oct 2016
This is a little tricky. Yes, both formulations have the same active ingredient (hydroxyzine), BUT they are attached to 2 DIFFERENT salt forms (Hcl which is found in the tablet form, and under the brand name "Atarax" vs. pamoate which is found in the capsule form, and under the brand name "Vistaril"). The pamoate formulation is more lipophilic, which means it can more easily cross the blood brain barrier and exhibit Central Nervous System effects such as anti-anxiety effects. The Hcl formulation is more hydrophilic, which means theoretically there should be less CNS effects. Both formulations are antihistamines due to the hydroxyzine part, which acts similar to cetirizine (Zyrtec) for itching, hives, etc. However, there are no studies performed to show the Clinical Signifigance (i.e.
Can this theory be proven in practice and does it matter?) because these are old drugs that no drug company would want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars testing, when there is no benefit (profit-wise) if the theory is true. So, yes, there is a difference between hydroxyzine hcl and hydroxyzine pamoate, but we don't know if the difference matters clinically since it's a waste of money to try and figure that out.
Lotta pills
8 July 2017
This answer has me very confused - when u say "central nervous system effects" are these GOOD effects or BAD effects.? Do we want the drug to have effects on our CNS to work properly? You compare CNS effects to anti-anxiety effects. Well, I WANT it to have anti-anxiety effects. I'm taking it FOR anxiety. So which is better for treating anxiety - PAM or HCL? My script gets changed all the time and it really bothers me. I think the PAM works better. But idk if it's all in my head. Also, which one makes you more sleepy? I feel like the capsules make me more sleepy. So I started taking them at night for an anxiety free morning. But may b im wasting them that way? That's why I want to know.
Tiffy D
22 Oct 2017
Lotta pills, In my experience the hydroxyzine pam is wayyy better to take for anxiety n panic attacks. The Hcl kind does not help if anything it makes your anxiety worse n causes dizziness. Just tell your dr that you only want the Pam kind no substitutes. Hope this helps a lil. Good luck ☺
Chrystal6
22 Oct 2018
I was taking the capsule form for several years and for no apparent reason my provider changed to the tablet form . After taking the tablet for a couple months I began having severe headaches , heart palpitations and labored breathing . It took me a few weeks to figure out that at least some of it was being caused by the (I was told it was Vistaril) tablets . I have had a very serious brain injury - 2 Brain Aneurysms ( one which errupted in my brain stem ) and have to wonder if that has something to do with the pills effecting me differently than the capsules ?
Inactive
14 Feb 2014
Hydroxyzine is the generic name. They are basically the same medication. Atarax is Hydroxyzine HCL and Vistaril is Hydroxyzine Pamoate.
AdoptiveMother
15 Jan 2015
Playing that they are basically the same medication doesn't answer the question. There must be a difference. What is the difference?
AdoptiveMother
15 Jan 2015
Auto correct messed up my comment. First word should be Saying, not Playing.
KADD52
9 Oct 2016
What is the difference
Related topics
anxiety, pruritus, hairy cell leukemia, hydroxyzine, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Hydroxyzine uses and safety info
- Hydroxyzine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Hydroxyzine (detailed)
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