Hydroxyzine Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2022.
Applies to the following strengths: hydrochloride 25 mg/mL; hydrochloride 50 mg/mL; hydrochloride 10 mg/5 mL; hydrochloride 10 mg; hydrochloride 25 mg; hydrochloride 50 mg; hydrochloride 100 mg; pamoate 25 mg; pamoate 50 mg; pamoate 100 mg; pamoate 25 mg/5 mL; hydrochloride; pamoate
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety
Oral: 50 to 100 mg orally 4 times a day
Parenteral: 50 to 100 mg IM immediately, then every 4 to 6 hours as needed
Comments:
-Use should be periodically reassessed.
-Treatment for longer than 4 months have not been assessed in clinical studies.
Uses:
Oral:
-As an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested
-Symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis
Parenteral:
-Adjunctive treatment in alcoholism
-Allay associated anxiety and apprehension attendant to certain types of heart disease
-Alleviating anxiety and tension in acute emotional problems or in the preparation for dental procedures
-As pre-/postoperative and pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to allay anxiety
-Management of anxiety associated with allergic conditions with strong emotional overlay (e.g., asthma, chronic urticaria, pruritus)
-Management of anxiety associated with organic disturbances
-Treatment of patients who are acutely/chronically alcoholic with anxiety withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens
-Treatment of patients who are acutely disturbed or hysterical
Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis
Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
Use: Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
Usual Adult Dose for Pruritus
Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
Use: Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria
Oral: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
Use: Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
Usual Adult Dose for Sedation
Oral: 50 to 100 mg orally ONCE
Parenteral: 25 to 100 mg IM ONCE
Comment: This drug may potentiate barbiturates and/or meperidine.
Uses:
Oral:
-As a sedative when used as premedication or following general anesthesia
-Pre-anesthetic adjunctive treatment
Parenteral:
-Pre-/postoperative adjunctive medication to permit reduction in narcotic dosage
-Pre-/postpartum adjunctive therapy to permit reduction in narcotic dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting
Parenteral: 25 to 100 mg IM ONCE
Uses:
-Control of nausea and vomiting, excluding nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
-Pre-/postoperative adjunctive medication to control emesis
-Pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to control emesis
Usual Pediatric Dose for Sedation
Children:
Oral: 0.6 mg/kg orally ONCE
Parenteral: 1.1 mg/kg IM ONCE
Uses:
Oral:
-As a sedative when used as premedication or following general anesthesia
-Pre-anesthetic adjunctive treatment
Parenteral:
-Pre-/postoperative adjunctive medication to permit reduction in narcotic dosage
-Pre-/postpartum adjunctive therapy to permit reduction in narcotic dosage
Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety
Children:
-Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Uses:
-Allay associated anxiety and apprehension attendant to certain types of heart disease
-Alleviating anxiety and tension in acute emotional problems or in the preparation for dental procedures
-As pre-/postoperative and pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to allay anxiety
-Management of anxiety associated with allergic conditions with strong emotional overlay (e.g., asthma, chronic urticaria, pruritus)
-Management of anxiety associated with organic disturbances
-Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
-Treatment of patients who are acutely disturbed or hysterical
Usual Pediatric Dose for Atopic Dermatitis
Children:
-Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Uses:
-Allay associated anxiety and apprehension attendant to certain types of heart disease
-Alleviating anxiety and tension in acute emotional problems or in the preparation for dental procedures
-As pre-/postoperative and pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to allay anxiety
-Management of anxiety associated with allergic conditions with strong emotional overlay (e.g., asthma, chronic urticaria, pruritus)
-Management of anxiety associated with organic disturbances
-Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
-Treatment of patients who are acutely disturbed or hysterical
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pruritus
Children:
-Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Uses:
-Allay associated anxiety and apprehension attendant to certain types of heart disease
-Alleviating anxiety and tension in acute emotional problems or in the preparation for dental procedures
-As pre-/postoperative and pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to allay anxiety
-Management of anxiety associated with allergic conditions with strong emotional overlay (e.g., asthma, chronic urticaria, pruritus)
-Management of anxiety associated with organic disturbances
-Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
-Treatment of patients who are acutely disturbed or hysterical
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria
Children:
-Under 6 years: 50 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
-Over 6 years: 50 to 100 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
Uses:
-Allay associated anxiety and apprehension attendant to certain types of heart disease
-Alleviating anxiety and tension in acute emotional problems or in the preparation for dental procedures
-As pre-/postoperative and pre-/postpartum adjunctive medication to allay anxiety
-Management of anxiety associated with allergic conditions with strong emotional overlay (e.g., asthma, chronic urticaria, pruritus)
-Management of anxiety associated with organic disturbances
-Management of pruritus due to histamine-mediated pruritus and allergic conditions (e.g., atopic/contact dermatoses, chronic urticaria)
-Treatment of patients who are acutely disturbed or hysterical
Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting
Children:
Parenteral: 1.1 mg/kg IM ONCE
Uses:
-Control of nausea and vomiting, excluding nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
-Pre-/postoperative adjunctive medication to control emesis
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
-Hypersensitivity to the active component or to any of the ingredients
-In early pregnancy
-Patients with a prolonged QT interval
-Parenteral formulations: Intraarterial, IV, or subcutaneous administration
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration Advice:
-Tablets should be taken with enough water.
-This drug may be taken without regard to food.
-Use at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration.
-Adjust dosage according to the patient's response to therapy.
-If initiating treatment by the IM route, administer subsequent doses orally whenever practical.
Storage Requirements:
The manufacturer product information should be consulted.
IV compatibility:
-Incompatible: Aminophylline, benzylpenicillin salts, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, dimenhydrinate, doxorubicin hydrochloride (in a liposomal formulation), thioridazine, and some soluble barbiturates
General:
-This drug has demonstrated primary skeletal muscle relaxation and antispasmodic properties experimentally.
-This drug is not chemically related to benzodiazepines, phenothiazines, reserpine, or meprobamate.
Patient Advice:
-Inform patients that this drug may cause drowsiness, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
-Patients should be instructed to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
-Patients should be advised to avoid changing the dose without consulting with their healthcare provider.
-Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
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