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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sonya on August 16, 2005, at 13:49:59
Hey, Ed.
Took your advice and spoke to my pdoc about rx-ing me Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal symptoms. He didn't know much about how it might help but prescribed it anyway. It's only generic in the US - Hydroxyzine. Unfortunately, he didn't tell me when to take it and how much to take and whether to take it along with the Seroquel (I should've asked). Do you have any suggestions?
Sonya
Posted by ed_uk on August 17, 2005, at 9:48:50
In reply to Ed-UK: Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal, posted by Sonya on August 16, 2005, at 13:49:59
Hi Sonya,
>He didn't know much about how it might help but prescribed it anyway.
Well I'm not sure whether or not it will help but I certainly think it's worth a try.
I thought it might help for a few reasons.....
1. It has a mild anti-anxiety effect
2. It can treat nausea
3. Seroquel acts as an antihistamine - amongst other things. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine too.
4. Compared with the antipsychotics, hydroxyzine is relatively harmless>Do you have any suggestions?
Do you have the 25mg tablets? You could take it when required as you gradually taper off the Seroquel.
~ed
Posted by Sonya on August 17, 2005, at 11:02:55
In reply to Re: Ed-UK: Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal » Sonya, posted by ed_uk on August 17, 2005, at 9:48:50
Yes, I have the 25mg tablet. My anxiety is at it's peak in morning and through to mid-afternoon. Would it make me too sleepy to take in the morning? Haven't taken any yet.
Thanks again, Ed. You're a peach!
Peace...Sonya
Posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 12:11:39
In reply to Re: Ed-UK: Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal, posted by Sonya on August 17, 2005, at 11:02:55
Hi Sonya,
>Would it make me too sleepy to take in the morning?
Hopefully not. If you can take Seroquel without getting over-sedated I'd expect you to be ok with hydroxyzine. Perhaps you could take your first dose at the weekend just in case? .........or whenever you're not busy/working.
You could try half a tablet for your first dose.
Btw, the maximum single dose is usually 100mg, the maximum daily dose is 400mg.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 12:15:54
In reply to Re: Ed-UK: Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal » Sonya, posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 12:11:39
>You could try half a tablet for your first dose.
Or maybe not........ I think the tablets are coated, perhaps hydroxyzine tastes really bad? Try 25mg for your first dose :-)
~Ed
Posted by Sonya on August 18, 2005, at 12:50:57
In reply to Re: Ed-UK: Atarax for Seroquel withdrawal » ed_uk, posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 12:15:54
Oh, Ed, I can't thank you enough. I took 25mg hydroxyzine this morning, felt briefly dizzy when it took effect but otherwise my anxiety disappeared and no nausea! I'm yawning quite a bit and could stand to take a nap but I can handle it.
This makes me wonder if I can continue taking it for anxiety for an indeterminate length of time. I read somewhere on the Internet not to take for more than 4 months? Do you have any idea why?
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're a doll:-)
Peace...Sonya
Posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 17:50:34
In reply to Ed - IT WORKS!, posted by Sonya on August 18, 2005, at 12:50:57
Hi Sonya,
>I took 25mg hydroxyzine this morning, felt briefly dizzy when it took effect but otherwise my anxiety disappeared and no nausea!
The dizziness/drowsiness should disappear fairly soon :-)
>I read somewhere on the Internet not to take for more than 4 months? Do you have any idea why?
The 'do not take for more the four months' warning was aimed primarily at the benzodiazepines ........but sometimes gets applied to hydroxyzine as well - despite the fact that it's a completely different type of drug. Nevertheless, withdrawal symptoms may occur following the long-term use of hydroxyzine, as is the case with all psychiatric drugs.
Hydroxyzine has been used in the US since the 1960s. A single case report of hydroxyzine-associated tardive dyskinesia has been reported in the medical literature. Tardive dyskinesia is a serious and often permanent movement disorder which is most frequently caused by the long term use of antipsychotics. As far as I can tell, hydroxyzine is very unlikely to cause tardive dyskinesia. Rarely, Seroquel can cause tardive dyskinesia. I would expect tardive dyskinesia to be more common with Seroquel than with hydroxyzine but I don't have any data.
I suppose you've got to consider why you want to take hydroxyzine....... some alternative possibilities.......
1. As a short term aid - to help you get off Seroquel.
2. As a long term treatment for anxiety - as a substitute for Seroquel.
If Seroquel is also effective for your psych symptoms, you need to ask yourself..... would I rather take Seroquel or hydroxyzine? (in the long run)
In the treatment of chronic anxiety, 25mg hydroxyzine twice a day appears to be effective.
Kind regards
~ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 17:52:11
In reply to Ed - IT WORKS!, posted by Sonya on August 18, 2005, at 12:50:57
PS. For what reason were you prescribed Seroquel?
~Ed
Posted by Sonya on August 18, 2005, at 18:56:42
In reply to Re: Ed - IT WORKS! » Sonya, posted by ed_uk on August 18, 2005, at 17:52:11
> PS. For what reason were you prescribed Seroquel?
I think mainly for anxiety but my dr also said it helps with mood stabilization.
I must say I freaked a bit when you said hydroxyzine might cause TD. THAT's the reason I wanted off the Seroquel! But from what you say it appears the risk of TD on hydroxyzine is less than on Seroquel. I'll make every attempt to take the hyd. for only as long as I need it...hopefully for only this transition period coming off Seroquel.
BTW, Phillipa and I have been babblemailing, and we both agree you are wonderful. Have your ears been ringing?
Peace...Sonya
Posted by ed_uk on August 19, 2005, at 9:04:19
In reply to Re: Ed - IT WORKS!, posted by Sonya on August 18, 2005, at 18:56:42
Hi!
>I must say I freaked a bit when you said hydroxyzine might cause TD.
It's been used since the 60s. I found one case report of TD associated with hydroxyzine.
>But from what you say it appears the risk of TD on hydroxyzine is less than on Seroquel.
I think so. As far as I know, hydroxyzine blocks dopamine receptors very weakly, much less than an antipsychotic.
~ed xx
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