Hydroxyzine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 13, 2025.

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

• Can you take hydroxyzine for anxiety and sleep?
• Can hydroxyzine be taken long-term?
• Does Benadryl help with or cause anxiety?
• Can dogs take hydroxyzine?
• When can I start drinking if I’m no longer taking hydroxyzine?
• Can you take antihistamines when pregnant?

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer