Hydroxyzine Pamoate

💊 What is Hydroxyzine Pamoate used for?

• •Short-term relief of anxiety and tension linked to psychoneurosis, and as a support treatment in some physical illnesses where anxiety shows up
• •Itching (pruritus) from allergic conditions such as chronic hives (urticaria), atopic and contact dermatoses, and histamine-mediated itching
• •Sedation when used before anesthesia and after general anesthesia

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label describes this as a medicine taken by mouth. The dose is adjusted based on how the patient responds, so the amount and timing are set by the prescriber. The label notes that when treatment starts as an injection, later doses may be given by mouth. The label says the effectiveness of hydroxyzine for anxiety use longer than 4 months has not been studied, and the prescriber should reassess its usefulness from time to time. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •Capsules for oral use, available in 25 mg and 50 mg strengths (the 25 mg and 50 mg strengths refer to the amount of hydroxyzine hydrochloride the capsule is equivalent to)
• •The supplied 50 mg capsules are dark green and white and are imprinted "E 615"

⚠️ Hydroxyzine Pamoate side effects

🛑 Who should not take Hydroxyzine Pamoate, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are in early pregnancy. The label says hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy because clinical data in humans are not sufficient to show safety, and animal studies showed fetal abnormalities at doses well above the human range.
• 🚨You have a prolonged QT interval. The label lists this as a contraindication.
• 🚨You have had a previous allergic reaction to any component of this medicine.
• 🚨You have a known allergy to hydroxyzine products, cetirizine hydrochloride, or levocetirizine hydrochloride.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber about any history of heart disease, a prolonged QT interval, a family history of long QT syndrome, a recent heart attack, uncompensated heart failure, or slow heart rhythms.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or might become pregnant. The label says hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are nursing. The label says hydroxyzine should not be given to nursing mothers.
• •Tell your prescriber about any past allergic reaction to hydroxyzine, cetirizine, or levocetirizine.
• •Older adults may need extra care. The label says doses are usually started at the low end of the range for older patients because of the greater chance of reduced liver, kidney, or heart function.
• •The label warns that drowsiness may occur. People are cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking it.

🔀 Hydroxyzine Pamoate with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as narcotics, non-narcotic pain relievers, and barbiturates. The label says the effect of hydroxyzine is increased with these, and their dose should be reduced when they are used together. Patients are advised against using other CNS depressant drugs at the same time.
• •Meperidine (Demerol) and barbiturates. The label says hydroxyzine may increase their effects, so their use before anesthesia should be adjusted for each person.
• •Alcohol. The label says the effect of alcohol may be increased.
• •Drugs that can prolong the QT interval. The label says caution is advised with Class 1A or Class III antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, and sotalol), certain antipsychotics, certain antidepressants (such as citalopram and fluoxetine), certain antibiotics (such as azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin), and others such as pentamidine, methadone, ondansetron, and droperidol.
• •Cetirizine or levocetirizine. The label says to avoid these in patients who have had AGEP or other hypersensitivity reactions to hydroxyzine, because of the risk of cross-sensitivity.
• •Digitalis. The label says hydroxyzine is not known to interfere with digitalis and may be used with it at the same time. Atropine and other belladonna alkaloids are not affected by the drug.

Alcohol and food

The label says the effect of alcohol may be increased, and patients should not use other CNS depressant drugs at the same time. The label does not give specific food instructions.

🤰 Hydroxyzine Pamoate in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy. In animal studies (mice, rats, and rabbits), hydroxyzine caused fetal abnormalities in rats and mice at doses substantially above the human therapeutic range. The label says human data are inadequate to establish safety in early pregnancy. Talk with your prescriber about any pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known whether this drug passes into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in milk, the label says hydroxyzine should not be given to nursing mothers.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), protect from moisture, and keep in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure. Keep the container tightly closed.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says the most common sign of overdose is hypersedation (very strong drowsiness). Other reported signs were convulsions, stupor, nausea, and vomiting. If you think someone has taken too much, get emergency medical help right away. The label describes treatment in a medical setting, such as careful monitoring and supportive care.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Hydroxyzine Pamoate

• What dose and schedule did you choose for me, and how will you adjust it based on how I respond?
• Is hydroxyzine safe for me given my heart rhythm history or any other heart conditions?
• What other medicines I take could increase drowsiness or affect my heart rhythm?
• What should I do if I get a skin rash, fever, or blistering skin while taking this medicine?
• How long do you expect me to take this medicine, and when will you check whether it is still helping?
• Should I avoid alcohol and driving while taking this medicine?

❓ Hydroxyzine Pamoate: frequently asked questions