Can you overdose on hydroxyzine? A full detail

Hydroxyzine is the most prescribed medication for treating anxiety disorders, allergies, insomnia, nausea, and a pre-anesthetic medication for surgery. It is classified under the family of antihistamines; however, primarily it is used for its sedative effect. Yet, every medication has the potential of risks, and one specific risk associated with hydroxyzine is: Can you overdose on hydroxyzine?

 What is Hydroxyzine?

• Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine of the first-generation type. As an antihistaminic drug, it has been used for tranquilizing and anti-anxiety effects. It is classified under the non-selective antihistamines because of its mode of action due to the blocking effect on histamine activity. Other properties hydroxyzine has are anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antiemetic (anti-nausea), and muscle relaxant. These properties will make it useful in disorders such as:
  – Anxiety and tension
  – Allergies, including seasonal allergies and hives
  – Insomnia
  – Nausea and vomiting

Mechanism of Action

• Hydroxyzine works by blocking the body’s histamine receptors. This chemical is created through the action of the immune system by exposure to allergens. These triggers cause itching, sneezing, and swelling, among other reactions. Hydroxyzine will negate these actions by acting as a blocker against histamine from attaching to its receptors.
• Apart from the antihistaminic effect, it has a central nervous system depressant effect, so it can induce a sense of calm or act as a sedative; hence, its application in anxiety, agitation, and sleeping disorders.

Hydroxyzine Overdose: is it possible?

• The short answer is yes, can you overdose on hydroxyzine The risk of overdose is indeed present: it occurs when a patient receives a dose higher than recommended or composes hydroxyzine with other substances that increase its sedative properties, for instance, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants.
• Overdosing on hydroxyzine is dangerous, and the symptoms may be potentially lethal, although hydroxyzine overdoses are relatively rare when prescribed for appropriate use. Nonetheless, just as in any drug, abuse of hydroxyzine by using excessive amounts or using the medicine improperly can result in quite serious complications.

What Are Hydroxyzine Overdose Effects?

• Overdose causes various symptoms depending on the level of overdose taken by an individual. Some of the hydroxyzine overdose signs and symptoms range from mild to severe:
  Symptoms
  Mild Reactions
  – Drowsiness or intense sedation
  – Dizziness or lightheadedness
  – Dry mouth
  – Blurred vision
  – Confusion or disorientation
  – Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
  – Slurred speech
  – Headache

1. These follow from hydroxyzine’s sedating effect, which depresses the central nervous system too far for one to suffer symptoms associated with sedation and impairment. Although these are agonizing, they very rarely lead to death unless the overdose is fairly severe. Severe Manifestations
   – Convulsions
   – Coma or unconsciousness
   – Hypotension
   – Respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing)
   – Heart arrhythmias
   – Inability to urinate

Risk Factors for Overdose:

• The risk factors for overdose are as follows:
  – Any patient who uses more than the prescribed amount of hydroxyzine
  – Misuse or recreational use of hydroxyzine
  – Use of hydroxyzine in combination with central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other sleep aids

Concealed medical conditions, for example, renal or liver disease, could interfere with the ability of the body to clear away the drug.

 How Much Hydroxyzine is Too Much?

• The amount of hydroxyzine that is considered to be an overdose cannot be precisely determined. The reasons are many, including:
  – Individual Tolerance: Some people can become dependent on hydroxyzine and have side effects with low doses.
  – Age and weight: The younger ones, the older ones, and also those with small body mass are likely to be at risk of overdose even with low doses.
  – Health condition: Patients with poor liver or kidney functions may show inadequate metabolism of the drug and hence can reach toxic levels even with ordinary doses.
• 

– Interactions with other drugs:

The use of hydroxyzine with drugs that induce sedation, like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, develops a higher chance of overdose.

• Generally, in adult conditions, the doses vary between 25 to 100 mg according to the condition. Hydroxyzine is commonly prescribed for anxiety or sleep disorders. However, the dosage is strictly determined based on the patient’s need because this is a temporary treatment.
• However, overdoses are very possible if doses are larger than that called for and especially mixed with other depressant drugs. You must call a health facility as soon as possible, even though the symptoms may seem so minor for you or someone else.

What to Do If You Or Someone Else Overdoses Hydroxyzine

If you suspect an overdose, action must be immediate. Here’s what you have to do:

1. 1. Dial Poison Control or Emergency Services Telephone Number If someone has ingested an overdose dose of hydroxyzine, or if he appears to have suffered an overdose, immediately dial your local emergency number. This is one of those situations where time is of the essence in administering overdoses.
2. 2. Check the Welfare of the Person: While you are waiting for emergency services to come, you should attempt to check the welfare of the breathing of the person and their consciousness. In case the person loses their senses, and you are a first aid trained provider, then you would perform CPR and wait for emergency medical care.
3. 3. Don’t Wait Until Symptoms Worsen: Even though the individual isn’t displaying initial severe symptoms, still you should not wait. The symptoms of hydroxyzine overdose can accelerate very quickly, and a timely visit to the doctor is mandatory.
4. 4. Provide Information: To be able to provide information to the medical crew it would help with knowing in exact detail the number of hydroxyzine that has been consumed, the time when it was ingested, and any other substance or medications he may have consumed.

– Medications: In severe cases, medications can be administered to reverse central nervous system depression or treat seizures.

Prevention of Hydroxyzine Overdose

• The manner to prevent a hydroxyzine overdose is, in many respects, how to take the medication as prescribed and not engage in behaviors that are at risk. The following are some guidelines for prevention:
  – Follow the Prescribed Dosage: Always take hydroxyzine exactly as directed by your doctor. Never take more than the recommended dose.
  – Always consult a physician or pharmacist before taking hydroxyzine together with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, as they can augment the sedative effects of hydroxyzine and result in overdose.
  Store medication: Keep hydroxyzine and other medications out of reach of children and others who may misuse them.

Speak with Your Doctor: Speak to your doctor if you suspect or feel that you are now overmedicated on this drug, or have other questions about your dosing.

Conclusion: Can You Overdose on Hydroxyzine?

Conclusion: Absolutely, you can overdose on hydroxyzine**, and those symptoms could become potentially hazardous or fatal. Mild to moderate symptoms may include sedation, dizziness, to very dangerous complications such as respiratory failure, convulsions, and coma. To avoid overdose, take your hydroxyzine medication just as prescribed, avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants, and talk with your healthcare professional about any questions you have about your prescription medication.