Atarax Review: Does It Work As Advertised?

Overview

In pharmaceuticals, Atarax (hydroxyzine) became a reliable medicine for managing insomnia, anxiety, and itching (or burning sensations) caused by allergies. While Atarax has been discontinued and is only available as hydroxyzine hydrochloride, the medication remains one of medicine’s most noteworthy medicines.

This article will explore Atarax, revealing its effectiveness, side effects, uses, and other noteworthy factors about the drug. Remember, this article serves as a resource and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

What is Atarax (hydroxyzine)?

Atarax, also known as hydroxyzine, is an antihistamine approved by the Food and Medicine Administration (FDA) for adults and children. Such antihistamines operate by restricting Histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system, which is responsible for allergic reactions.

Such medicines are prescribed to treat symptoms of allergies like hives, hay fever, conjunctivitis, and reactions to insect stings. They’re also effective for managing anxiety as well as sedating patients before surgery.

As an antihistamine, the sedative side effects of the medicine blocking histamine tackle anxiety, thereby providing relief and calm.

When compared to other alternatives, Atarax remains dominant with some significant perks. According to Drugs.com on Hydroxyzine alternatives, Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Xanax (alprazolam) function similarly in managing anxiety and or panic disorder; however, Xanax is addictive with severe withdrawal symptoms, while Atarax shouldn’t be used by pregnant women, like many other drugs.

Furthermore, when compared to Xanax (alprazolam), Atarax is more useful in multiple situations. Essentially, Xanax is prescribed for panic disorder and anxiety, while hydroxyzine can manage Anxiety, Allergic Urticaria, Allergies, Nausea/Vomiting, Pain, and Pruritus.

How Does Atarax Rate?

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How Does Atarax Work?

Atarax is an antihistamine, which limits the productions of histamine in the body due to an immune response to an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This antibody is secreted in response to a virus, bacteria, or allergic substances

By limiting the production of histamine, symptoms like swelling, itching, and other signs of an allergic reaction.

Another prominent use for Atarax is the management of anxiety, and according to Drugs.com on Hydroxyzine, the antihistamine’s sedative effect provides short-term calm to individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Atarax Ingredients- Are They Safe & Effective?

Atarax (hydroxyzine) is chemically identified as 1-(p-chlorobenzhydryl) 4-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethyl] piperazine dihydrochloride. Below highlights the constituents of this medicine, and they include:

Inert ingredients – Acacia, carnauba wax, dibasic calcium phosphate, gelatin, lactose, magnesium stearate (also beneficial for enhancing brain function referenced in Brillia Review article), precipitated calcium carbonate, shellac, sucrose, talc, and white wax.

10 mg tablets – Sodium hydroxide, Starch, Titanium dioxide, and Yellow 6 Lake

25 mg tablets –Starch and Velo dark green

50 mg tablets – Starch and Velo yellow

100 mg tablets – Alginic acid, Blue, 1 Polyethylene glycol, and Red 3

Hydroxyzine comes in syrup form with inert ingredients including alcohol, menthol, peppermint oil, sodium benzoate, spearmint oil, sucrose, and water.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

According to the National Library of Medicine, Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride contains the following key ingredients:

Gelatin –

Protects the medicine from atmospheric oxygen, microbial growth, and sunlight. Furthermore, this compound is odorless, tasteless, and easily digestible.

Sucrose –

Provided a more pleasant taste to otherwise unpalatable chemicals. According to Drugs.com, this compound is present in most tablets, syrups, and lozenges.

Titanium dioxide –

Protects the tablet from UVA and UVB rays, which is crucial since these radiations can weaken the table’s effectiveness and even produce adverse effects.

Acacia –

Acacia, a versatile plant with numerous health benefits, is increasingly recognized for its potential positive effects on various aspects of well-being. Explored in our comprehensive Peak BioBoost Reviews, acacia is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients, offering support for digestive health, immune function, and more. Incorporating acacia into your daily routine may contribute to overall wellness and vitality.

Yellow 6 Lake –

A yellow pigment used to color the tablets, and is approved by the FDA. The compound is also approved for use in food and cosmetics, indicating its safety in oral medicine.

How To Use Atarax?

As an antihistamine, Atarax relieves skin itchiness and burning sensations caused by allergies and other conditions. Also, hydroxyzine helps to combat nausea, vomiting, and similar ailments.

Sedation and relaxation are equally associated with Atarax, helping people manage insomnia or helping medical professionals put patients to sleep before surgery. It’s also worth noting that the calming effect extends to treating anxiety; however, little is known about the long-term effects of this treatment.

Ultimately, a Healthcare provider can prescribe Atarax for symptoms including:

• Sleeping difficulties
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Allergies
• Nausea
• Skin rash

Note that while multiple antihistamine medicines are available over-the-counter, Atarax is a prescription drug. Essentially, patients require medical supervision before taking hydroxyzine to limit abuse or problematic side effects.

Effectiveness of Atarax (hydroxyzine)

Atarax has gained recognition for being a reliable drug for combating Nausea, itching and burning sensations, insomnia, and other conditions. However, hydroxyzine has only 52% of users experiencing positive outcomes; therefore, this section will shed more light on the multifaceted nature of Atarax’s effectiveness.

Atarax for Skin Irritations

Atarax is a prescription medication used to treat skin irritations caused by allergic reactions, and this property is possible since Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines limit the production of histamine, which the immune system creates, resulting in allergic reactions.

The claim of Atarax’s efficacy holds as researchers have investigated the drug’s efficacy and determined its a worthwhile prescription. This is visible in a 2019 study published in the National Library of Medicine featuring 400 patients (179 males, 221 females) with chronic pruritus.

The research concluded that hydroxyzine effectively improved symptoms and the quality of life for patients with chronic pruritus due to dermatological causes over 12 weeks. Furthermore, only 11 participants in this study experienced mild-to-moderate adverse effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, and constipation.

Atarax for Anxiety

Treatment of anxiety is one of the common reasons medical personnel prescribes Atarax; this is also evident in the reviews of hydroxyzine as people purchase it to deal with agitation. Fortunately, multiple studies have investigated the efficacy of Atarax in managing anxiety.

A medical article titled “Value of hydroxyzine in generalized anxiety disorder: a controlled double-blind study versus placebo” was published in the National Library of Medicine. The paper revealed that Atarax worked better than a placebo pill after one and four weeks.

More medical analysis on the efficacy of Atarax on Anxiety exists titled “In adults with generalized anxiety disorder, is hydroxyzine superior to placebo in reducing anxiety symptoms“. This paper discovered that hydroxyzine reduced symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

This symptom reduction is similar to other already-established anxiety treatments like benzodiazepines (benzos). While other studies assess the effectiveness of Atarax, these two mentioned in this section are sufficient proof.

Atarax for Insomnia (Sedation)

Drowsiness is a side effect of using Antihistamines, which is the category Atarax belongs to. However, using Atarax specifically for sedation or managing insomnia is considered to be an Off-label prescription as that’s not the intended use of the drug.

Essentially, Hydroxyzine is manufactured to treat anxiety and symptoms of allergic reactions, and the sedative effect is merely a secondary benefit. Therefore, using Atarax for sleep disorders isn’t the best use of the medication as there are better sleep aids to give users the perfect rest.

Nevertheless, some studies have investigated the effectiveness of Atarax for Insomnia and similar conditions. One Meta study in the National Library of Medicine titled “Pharmacotherapy for Insomnia in Primary Care” stated that “while hydroxyzine (25 to 100 mg at bedtime) is commonly prescribed for insomnia, there is little data to support its efficacy or safety for this indication”.

Therefore, while Atarax’s antihistamine effects can produce sedation, it’s not a reliable option for treating insomnia or related conditions.

Side Effects of Atarax (Hydroxyzine)

While Atarax provides relief to skin itchiness, anxiety, allergic reactions, and even some sleeping complications, some side effects accompany its use. This section will dive into the multifaceted realm of Atarax’s side effects, showing some common and rare occurrences.

Mild Side Effects
Mild side effects require no additional medical attention and will subside within a few days or weeks. These mild effects include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dry mouth
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Low blood pressure
• Constipation
• Muscle tremors

As expected of mild side effects, the experiences listed should subside within a few days or weeks after ingesting Atarax. However, medical attention is necessary if the side effects persist after a week or more.

Serious Side Effects

According to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on side effects, these results are only serious if they may result in hospitalization, permanent damage, disability, or appear life-threatening.

Fortunately, serious side effects are uncommon with Atarax; nevertheless, there are situations where such situations happen. These emergency symptoms include:

Lengthening the QT interval (heart rhythm), leading to:

• Unexplained fainting
• Heart palpitations (irregular heart rate)
• Frequent lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)

Allergic reaction

• wheezing
• swelling of the tongue, lips, and face
• a rash
• itchiness

In such situations, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent further complications with this medical emergency.

Side Effects on Children
Atarax is available for both adults and children, with the latter required to take 50 to 100 mg per day given in divided doses for age six and older. Like in adults, children may experience some side effects from hydroxyzine.

These possible side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Disorientation
• Weakness

Taking the required dosage of 50 to 100 mg per day given in divided doses effectively reduces potential adverse reactions in children.

Most Common Side Effects of Atarax

The previous section outlines the side effects of Atarax in different categories, but the most common symptom patients will experience from Atarax is Sleepiness, low blood pressure, and fatigue.

Here’s a more detailed description of each common adverse effect:

Sleepiness
Sleepiness (sedative effects) is one common side effect of ingesting hydroxyzine tablets as reported by participants in the clinical trials. This result is expected as Atarax is an antihistamine, and such medicine has drowsiness as a common side effect.

This mild side effect has led many to use Atarax for managing sleep-related complications with varying success. Nevertheless, medical experts recommend avoiding driving or operating heavy machinery after taking hydroxyzine.

On the other hand, doctors may recommend ways to boost energy levels and alertness if working is an inevitable part of the patient’s day.

Fatigue

Like sleepiness, fatigue is an expected symptom of Atarax reported by participants in the clinical trials. This condition is marked by a noticeable loss of energy despite getting sufficient sleep or nutrition.

Fortunately, this mild side effect is consistent with how antihistamines function, and doctors can recommend some ways to improve energy levels if necessary. Nevertheless, this mind symptom isn’t problematic and will subside quickly.

On the other hand, doctors recommend stopping the medication if the drowsiness persists or bothers the patient’s activities excessively.

Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions can happen with any drug, and hydroxyzine isn’t an exception to this adverse effect. Some common allergic reactions associated with Atarax include:

• Flushing (skin redness)
• Itching
• Skin rash

Severe allergic reactions to Atarax exist but rarely ever appear; nevertheless, these emergency adverse effects include:

• Swelling under the skin (feet, hands, eyelids, etc.)
• Breathing difficulties
• Swelling of the throat, tongue, and mouth

Hydroxyzine dosage

The number of tablets needed to alleviate symptoms are prescribed by a medical professional. This prescription depends on factors including age, the severity of the condition, and any underlying medical condition.

It’s also worth noting that Atarax is available in 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg, allowing doctors to start patients on a low dosage and then adjust to the right amount for patients.

Below is the typical dosage for different conditions:

• Atarax for Anxiety (50 mg to 100 mg of hydroxyzine, taken in divided doses)
• Atarax for itching (25 mg per night, later increased to three or four times daily)
• Atarax for children (50 mg to 100 mg daily for age 6 and older. 50 mg under age 6)

*Note: Prescriptions may change depending on age, condition, and underlying medical issues; therefore, patients should always consult a health care provider before taking medications.

Atarax FAQs

Q: Why was Atarax discontinued?

A: Atarax was certified and approved by the FDA and wasn’t removed for market safety or effectiveness reasons. It’s possible the brand was discontinued due to business reasons; nevertheless, the drug is still available as hydroxyzine hydrochloride in the United States.

Q: What Replaced Atarax?

A: Atarax was most likely discontinued by the manufacturer due to business reasons; however, patients can still acquire the drug under its generic name “hydroxyzine hydrochloride”. As for alternatives to Atarax, experts recommend Alprazolam, Lorazepam, and Buspirone.

Q: How fast does Atarax work?

A: Atarax takes 15 – 30 minutes to begin its function; however, the drowsiness side effect can last for 4 to 6 hours. Nevertheless, in less than 30 minutes, hydroxyzine can reduce allergic reactions for up to 4 days.

Q: Can I take paracetamol with Atarax?

A: Currently, no interaction was found between hydroxyzine and paracetamol; however, this isn’t definitive proof that no connection exists. Therefore, we recommend speaking to your doctor or medical personnel before combining medicine.

Q: What medicine shouldn’t be taken with Atarax?

A: Avoid ingesting Atarax alongside any antihistamine, whether orally or on the skin. This includes diphenhydramine creams, sprays, ointments, and sprays; else, side effects may become more severe. Also, hydroxyzine oral tablets alongside levocetirizine and cetirizine are similar medications and should not be used together.

Q: Where can I buy Atarax?

A: Atarax is referred to as hydroxyzine hydrochloride and is available at most brick-and-mortar and online pharmacies. Note that hydroxyzine is a prescription drug, requiring the written instruction of an authorized health care provider.

Customer Reviews for Atarax (hydroxyzine)

According to 142 reviews on Atarax from Drugs.com, the medication has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10. In other words, 52% of users experienced positive outcomes, while 30% had negative results.

The majority of these users purchases Atarax for Anxiety and allergy symptoms relief, and these reviews include:

(4.7/5.0): I love this medication. I was prescribed Atarax at 35 weeks pregnant for insomnia and panic attacks/GAD.

(4.5/5.0): I have been taking Atarax for about 2 years now and I can honestly say it’s such a relief for my anxiety.

(4.7/5.0): Had a few panic attacks shortly before my son was born. Went to a psychiatrist and they prescribed 50mg of Atarax.

(5.0/5.0): I have tried a lot of different medications for my anxiety, and nothing has ever worked, that is; until I was prescribed Atarax.

(5.0/5.0): I was diagnosed with Urticaria at the age of 16 (in 1985 which just came out of the blue) and took an Atarax pill every 3-4 days when I felt the itchiness coming on. It worked 100%.

(4.0/5.0): I have been taking 25 mg of Atarax up to four times a day for 30 years. I was given this because of my constant itching and rashes. It has saved my life.

Atarax – Conclusion

According to medical studies, professional assessments, and patient reviews, Atarax is an effective drug for tackling allergy symptoms and anxiety. While some side effects of the drug exist, they’re often mild and will subside within a short period.

Also, some individuals use the medicine to tackle sleep complications due to its sedative properties after ingestion; no medical review recommends hydroxyzine as a reliable sleep aid.

Nevertheless, Atarax remains an effective drug recommended by doctors before being discontinued by the manufacturer due to business reasons. However, it’s still available as the generic “hydroxyzine hydrochloride” in the US.