My doctor prescribed hydroxyzine pamoate (for anxiety). The insurance company has denied it, but will cover hydroxyzine Hcl. What is the difference? Would the Hcl give me the same benefit as pamoate?
Hydroxyzine pamoate vs hydroxyzine hcl?
Question posted by jls56 on 18 Aug 2015
Last updated on 13 January 2023
18 Answers Page 2
Boil it down they are the same drug with different names they do the same thing not sure but I think they are by 2 different companies
Jcolson ~
Unfortunately, you are very wrong. The compounds that bind the 2 actual meds in these 2 are VERY different. One is a PAM, which is also released in a different form (capsule) due to its compounds binding agents. The other HCL is pill for due to its different compounded binding agents.
I've not only experienced but also as a trauma RN. I've witnessed NUMEROUS times, seizures in people taking the PAM version of this. When switched to Atarax or the generic HCL. the seizures were no longer experienced.
Nothing important. Its the hydroxyzine part that is important. One was vistaril and one was atarax, its the chemical salt that is different. They are both generics.
It becomes important when one causes seizures in certain individuals and the other one does not. That is very important to anyone who has experienced a seizure from taking one of these meds!
Both meds are the same thing. One maybe generic. I don't know which one though. My doctor gave it to me 2 years ago for my allergies and for mild anxiety. It worked well except it made me sleepy as all antihistamines do me. I was taking 10 mg.
Please see my response below. They are very different in the binding compounds.
Related topics
generalized anxiety disorder, hydroxyzine, insurance, 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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