From the Research
Hydroxyzine is recommended for anxiety management at a dose of 50 mg, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, with a significant decrease in anxiety scores from the first week of treatment, as demonstrated in a study published in 1994 1. The medication works by blocking histamine H1 receptors in the central nervous system, which helps reduce anxiety symptoms. Some key points to consider when prescribing hydroxyzine for anxiety include:
- The typical dose range for adults is 25-100 mg up to four times daily, with a maximum daily dose of 400 mg.
- For elderly patients, lower doses are recommended, usually starting at 25 mg 3-4 times daily.
- Children aged 6 and older may receive 25-50 mg 3-4 times daily, while younger children (under 6) should receive 12.5-25 mg 3-4 times daily.
- Hydroxyzine may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision, so activities requiring alertness should be avoided until the response to the medication is known.
- It should not be combined with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines without medical supervision, and is not recommended for long-term anxiety management due to potential tolerance development, as noted in a study published in 2017 2. A study published in 2010 3 found that hydroxyzine was more effective than placebo in reducing anxiety symptoms, but the evidence was limited by a high risk of bias in the included studies. Overall, hydroxyzine can be a useful medication for anxiety management, but its use should be carefully considered and monitored, as noted in a study published in 1997 4.