Withdrawal Symptoms from Hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine is a versatile medication prescribed for a variety of conditions. According to the latest estimates from 2022, hydroxyzine is among the top 50 most prescribed drugs in the United States. Healthcare providers reportedly supplied over 13 million hydroxyzine prescriptions in 2022 alone.
This medication has many uses. As an antihistamine, it can relieve the effects of eczema, hives and other allergic conditions. However, it’s also widely used to treat anxiety and other mental/mood disorders in adults and children. Other uses for the medication include sedation before surgery, treatment for sleep disorders and more.
While medical experts consider hydroxyzine to be safe with a low risk of addiction compared to controlled substances, the potential for dependency still exists. That’s particularly true when taking hydroxyzine long-term. If dependency occurs, you can encounter withdrawal symptoms when eventually taken off the medication. There’s also a serious risk of overdose that can cause life-threatening effects.
Whether you’re taking hydroxyzine yourself or supporting a loved one, understanding withdrawal symptoms and overdose risks is paramount. Knowing how to identify the signs of withdrawal can empower you to get professional support that helps you protect your overall health and well-being while addressing your dependency safely and effectively.
What Is Hydroxyzine?
Hydroxyzine is a generic prescription drug also sold under many different brand names. It’s available as an oral tablet, capsule, syrup or suspension. Tablets are the most commonly prescribed form of the medication.
The drug’s history dates back over half a century. First developed by Union Chimique Belge in 1955, hydroxyzine became available in the United States through Pfizer in 1957.
Hydroxyzine is part of the antihistamines class of medications. As the name suggests, it blocks the actions of histamines, a chemical the body produces to fight infections, parasites and other invaders. Histamines trigger allergic reactions and their many unwanted symptoms. Hydroxyzine blocks the effects of histamines, providing relief from allergies.
However, the medication also impacts neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Hydroxyzine may increase serotonin levels while blocking 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine receptors. The effect on neurotransmitter activity gives the medication sedative and anxiolytic effects.
Providers can write prescriptions for hydroxyzine to treat:
- Anxiety disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Allergies and skin conditions
- Nausea and motion sickness
- Sedation before surgery
Dosage and prescription duration vary based on the intended treatment. For treating anxiety, the most common prescription for adults is 50 to 100 milligrams of hydroxyzine four times per day. Meanwhile, the dosage for addressing allergies is typically 25 milligrams three to four times daily.
Can You Become Dependent on Hydroxyzine?
Because hydroxyzine isn’t a controlled substance, it doesn’t have the same risk for addiction as other medications used to treat anxiety. Nevertheless, dependency is still possible, physically and psychologically.
Physical dependence occurs when the body becomes accustomed to the drug and its effects. It starts in the brain before affecting other parts of the body. When you become physically dependent, awful symptoms can occur when the medication is suddenly no longer in your system. Your body becomes so reliant on the drug that its absence manifests as unpleasant physical issues.
Psychological dependence is more common with hydroxyzine. If you become psychologically dependent on a drug, you may experience emotional and cognitive symptoms when you stop taking it. You can develop an attachment to the medication and its positive effects, experiencing distress whenever it’s no longer in your system. This form of dependency can manifest as cravings, increased agitation and obsessive thoughts, all revolving around the idea that the medication is necessary for your well-being.
It is possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on hydroxyzine. For that reason, it’s for short-term use only. Healthcare providers typically prescribe it for no more than four months when treating anxiety. For allergies and other uses, the duration is often even shorter.
Anything longer than four months is considered off-label use, and the risk for dependence becomes substantially greater. Long-term use and hydroxyzine abuse can lead to serious dependency issues, resulting in troublesome withdrawal symptoms.
Common signs of hydroxyzine misuse and reliance include:
- Taking more than the prescribed dosage
- Use without a legitimate prescription
- Combining the medication with other substances
- Extreme and frequent sedation
- Trembling or shaking
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Coordination issues and impaired motor function
Hydroxyzine Withdrawal: Common Symptoms That Could Affect You
Unfortunately, deciding to move on from hydroxyzine isn’t as easy as no longer taking the drug. If you grow dependent on the medication, you may experience uncomfortable issues that impact many facets of your life and health. Withdrawal from hydroxyzine can lead to a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
The physical issues you can encounter will depend on many factors, including how long you’ve taken the medication and your dosage. Common physical withdrawal symptoms for the antihistamine hydroxyzine include:
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Heart palpitations
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, upset stomach)
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Flu-like symptoms (body aches and chills)
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
In addition to physical problems, dependency can lead to psychological withdrawal symptoms that can be difficult to shake alone. These include:
- Irritability and agitation
- Increased anxiety
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Cravings
- Obsessive thoughts and behaviors
Potential Side Effects of Taking Hydroxyzine
Before taking hydroxyzine, it’s important to understand the risk of side effects. Adverse reactions can occur, even though the drug is considered safe for use under medical supervision. Some are more common than others, but there are always risks with taking a medication like hydroxyzine. Potential side effects include:
- Drowsiness and excessive fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Cognitive impairment (more common in older adults)
- Appetite changes
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
There are also more severe side effects that could happen if taking hydroxyzine long-term. The most significant is cardiovascular issues like QT prolongation. This condition results in extended intervals between the heart relaxing and contracting, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest and abnormal heart rhythm. Liver and kidney problems can also arise with long-term use, putting unnecessary strain on these organs as they metabolize the drug.
Can You Overdose on Hydroxyzine?
Taking hydroxyzine as prescribed and under proper medical supervision is safe, but overdoses can happen. Overdoses may occur when you take more than the recommended amount, accidentally or intentionally. Other risk factors include taking hydroxyzine with other substances and severe dependency.
Hydroxyzine overdoses are a serious issue, and it’s important to seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Overdosing can create life-threatening problems. Symptoms of a hydroxyzine overdose include:
- Dilated pupils
- Severe drowsiness or sedation
- Respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing)
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Unsteadiness
- Coma
- Dry or flushed skin
- Muscle damage
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms due to hydroxyzine overdose, seek medical care as soon as possible. While recovery is possible with medical attention, failing to seek help could result in life-threatening concerns and death.
Hydroxyzine Withdrawal Management and the Importance of Safe Tapering
Withdrawal symptoms can occur if you’ve grown dependent on hydroxyzine, but suddenly discontinuing your intake of the medication can worsen the effects of withdrawal. When you take hydroxyzine regularly long-term, your brain and body adapt to the drug’s presence. Quitting the medication “cold turkey” creates a sudden imbalance of neurotransmitters. The body and brain have no choice but to readjust, resulting in severe withdrawal symptoms that could derail your effort to get off hydroxyzine effectively.
That’s why medical experts recommend slow tapering. Tapering is the process of gradually decreasing one’s hydroxyzine dosage. In doing so, you avoid the sudden imbalance created by the drug’s absence, allowing your body to adjust. Slow tapering may help decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms and minimize discomfort.
If you’re struggling to manage withdrawal caused by dependency on the antihistamine hydroxyzine, seek professional addiction treatment. Addiction treatment is all about expert support and withdrawal management, helping you wean yourself off hydroxyzine safely and effectively while mitigating the worst aspects of withdrawal. During treatment programs, professionals can incorporate tapering strategies that make a difference. These include:
- Gradually and strategically reducing your hydroxyzine dosage for safe tapering
- Providing behavioral support during the tapering process to address the psychological effects of withdrawal
- Substituting hydroxyzine with safer alternatives under proper medical supervision
Seeking Professional Help for Hydroxyzine Dependence: When to Take Action
One of the biggest hurdles people must overcome when facing hydroxyzine dependency is knowing when to take action and seek professional help. It’s never easy to admit that you need support, but learning to recognize the signs of hydroxyzine dependency can help you take control of your life while safeguarding your physical and emotional health.
Several signs indicate the need for professional assistance. Here are the biggest you should look for in yourself or your loved ones.
- Increased dosage beyond prescription recommendations and healthcare provider guidance
- Inability to sleep or function without hydroxyzine
- Obsessive thoughts and behaviors revolving around hydroxyzine
- Persistent withdrawal symptoms that impact daily life
If you notice these signs, contact Life Free Recovery Services for aid. We provide personalized addiction treatment plans that cater to your unique needs and situation. Through Life Free Recovery Services, you can connect to qualified professionals ready to develop a tailor-made treatment plan that helps you take the first steps to recovery. We offer many levels of care that make a difference on your journey to long-term rehabilitation and recovery.
Life Free Recovery Services: Freedom from Hydroxyzine
Life Free Recovery Services has multiple locations throughout New Hampshire, offering several treatment options. We understand that recovery is a complex process, and no two situations are alike. Therefore, one-size-fits-all treatments don’t always make a difference. At Life Free Recovery Services, we provide treatment plans personalized to you. Our treatment and care options include:
- Medical Detox: Drug dependency changes how your brain and body function. With medical detox, you can safely reduce dependency through supervised withdrawal management and tapering.
- Behavioral Therapy: Hydroxyzine dependency can take an emotional and psychological toll. We use evidence-based methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the psychological aspects of dependency, helping you free yourself from its grip.
- Holistic Support: We take a whole-body approach to empower you to make changes that support your long-term recovery. We promote overall well-being through nutrition, mindfulness, exercise-based therapies and more.
- Aftercare Planning: Your journey doesn’t end after treatment. At Life Free Recovery Services, we provide aftercare planning and ongoing support to prevent relapse and maintain long-term health.
Take Your First Step Towards Recovery and Leave Hydroxyzine Dependency in the Past
You don’t have to continue letting hydroxyzine control your life or watch idly by as it affects someone you love. Dependence is a dangerous road to roam that can lead to a cycle of destruction and life-threatening health problems. Help is available, and recovery is possible. Take action today to seek professional support that will allow you to break free from hydroxyzine dependence once and for all.
Life Free Recovery Services offers compassionate support when you or a loved one needs it most. We provide personalized treatment, evidence-based therapies, guided tapering and more, offering support every step of the way as you heal. We aim to guide you in the right direction with treatments that make a difference in your long-term recovery, bringing you one step closer to a more hopeful and free future.
Your recovery starts here. Contact Life Free Recovery Services today to schedule your consultation.
Category: Blog