![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amigan on October 24, 2007, at 18:25:04
Hi.
I keep reading that hydroxyzine, like the rest of the antihistamines, is not addictive at all, but what i am experiencing is not consistent with this:
I'm taking a very small dose of Hydroxyzine about twice a week and lately, i notice that every time i try to quit i feel a physical (muscle tension) and emotional (irritation) tension that makes me go back to this med.
What do you think??
Posted by linkadge on October 24, 2007, at 19:42:10
In reply to Hydroxyzine addiction?, posted by Amigan on October 24, 2007, at 18:25:04
Any medication can be addictive to some extent. I beleive hydroxyzine is somewhat higher potency than other antihistamines.
It has anticholinergic properties which may produce a cholinergic rebound if withdrawn from too quickly. You may need to spit tablets, if possible to taper off of it.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 19:42:51
In reply to Hydroxyzine addiction?, posted by Amigan on October 24, 2007, at 18:25:04
I don't know that is vistaril right? Will have to google it. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 20:43:23
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction? » Amigan, posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 19:42:51
Besides being used as an antihistamine it is stronger than others and a skeletal musscle relaxant. Phillipa
Posted by Mishal on October 25, 2007, at 5:41:15
In reply to Hydroxyzine addiction?, posted by Amigan on October 24, 2007, at 18:25:04
Atarax (Hydroxyzine) is considered not to be addictive or habbit forming, but just like you I had to spend some disturbed sleep nights when I came off it. Personally, I don't like that stuff because not only does it lose its sedative efficacy over time, the fatigue it causes never ceases at all even after repeated dosing.
Do not blind believe your docs. Many drugs they promote as safe have been found to be very hard to come off. My doc always assured me I can come off Luvox (an SSRI) at short notice. But I had a very hard time recently even while tapering that med. And it was pure hell for many days after I took my last tab. I had to restart Prozac again to help me stabilize. And yes, I found Prozac the easiest of all antidepressants to come off though rebound depression is hard to deal with.
Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2007, at 19:26:44
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction? » Amigan, posted by Mishal on October 25, 2007, at 5:41:15
Am I the only person that can just stop taking an ad or halve it for a week or so and have no sided effects? Usually I instantly feel better? Wierd. Phillipa
Posted by amigan on October 26, 2007, at 3:07:39
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction? » Amigan, posted by Mishal on October 25, 2007, at 5:41:15
> Atarax (Hydroxyzine) is considered not to be addictive or habbit forming, but just like you I had to spend some disturbed sleep nights when I came off it. Personally, I don't like that stuff
I like it. Even 12mgs are enough to put me to sleep! What i do NOT like is that it is long-acting. If i take even a small dose late at night, i will be drowsy for half of the next day. :-(
> because not only does it lose its sedative efficacy over time, the fatigue it causes never ceases at all even after repeated dosing.
I know. I think that this is the case for all sedative antihistamines. That's why i don't take it dayily and i try to do breaks from it, although the previously mentioned withdrawal symptoms make this somewhat difficult.
Posted by yxibow on October 26, 2007, at 11:30:44
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction? » Amigan, posted by Mishal on October 25, 2007, at 5:41:15
> Atarax (Hydroxyzine) is considered not to be addictive or habbit forming, but just like you I had to spend some disturbed sleep nights when I came off it. Personally, I don't like that stuff because not only does it lose its sedative efficacy over time, the fatigue it causes never ceases at all even after repeated dosing.
>
> Do not blind believe your docs.I am sorry you're having a rough time but isn't that sort of a blanket statement ? I admit there are better doctors than others...
Many drugs they promote as safe have been found to be very hard to come off. My doc always assured me I can come off Luvox (an SSRI) at short notice. But I had a very hard time recently even while tapering that med. And it was pure hell for many days after I took my last tab. I had to restart Prozac again to help me stabilize.
Prozac from what I've heard is frequently used to stabilize other SSRIs so this isn't unlikely. Paxil is harder to come off of the more "sleepy" SSRIs than Luvox.
And yes, I found Prozac the easiest of all antidepressants to come off though rebound depression is hard to deal with.
Posted by valero on October 26, 2007, at 11:51:10
In reply to Hydroxyzine addiction?, posted by Amigan on October 24, 2007, at 18:25:04
Subjectively this med feels a bit like a neuroleptic,
( Did you know that it has been known to cause Tardive dyskinesia?) Fatigue, dysphoria, cognitive dulling, dry mouth, No thanks, A Benzo once or twice a week would be a nicer option, even codeine, or other opiate wouldn't pose an addiction risk when used intermitantly. But I guess everybody to their own private poison.
Posted by amigan on October 26, 2007, at 19:02:47
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction?, posted by valero on October 26, 2007, at 11:51:10
> Subjectively this med feels a bit like a neuroleptic,
It doesn't have any action on the dopaminergic system, though, does it? All i know is that it's mainly an antihistamine with some mild anticholinergic action.
> ( Did you know that it has been known to cause Tardive dyskinesia?)
Yes, i have read about this. The reports that i have read are saying that the chances of developing tardive dyskinesia from this drug are EXTREMELY rare and that there are like 1 or 2 confirmed cases. Is this correct? If not, i might have to re-evaluate it..
Posted by Phillipa on October 26, 2007, at 19:19:54
In reply to Re: Hydroxyzine addiction and TD? » valero, posted by amigan on October 26, 2007, at 19:02:47
Nursed surgical patients also for many years and vistaril was added to the pain med IM or IV to boost the effects never saw or heard of a patient getting TD . I wouldn't worry. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.