Hydroxyzine is a familiar name in many medicine cabinets across the United States. It’s a medication commonly used to help calm nerves, reduce allergic reactions, and promote rest. But, like any medication, it comes with risks like getting an overdose.
Overdose on Hydroxyzine is can be dangerous, especially if taken in excessive amounts or combined with other substances. In this blog, let’s discuss why understanding these risks is crucial for anyone taking the medication or caring for someone who does.
What is Hydroxyzine?
Hydroxyzine is primarily classified as an antihistamine. However, it’s widely utilized beyond just allergy relief due to its significant sedative and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties.
You might find it prescribed for:
- Allergies: To relieve symptoms like hives, itching, and skin rashes.
- Anxiety: For short-term relief of general anxiety or nervousness.
- Sedation: Often used to calm patients before surgical procedures.
- Sleep Aid: Sometimes prescribed off-label for insomnia due to its sedative effects.
It works by blocking histamine receptors in the brain, and it also has some effect on serotonin, both contributing to its calming and drowsy effects. It’s important to remember that Hydroxyzine is a prescription-only medication, emphasizing the need for medical guidance in its use.
The Risk of Hydroxyzine Overdose: How It Happens
An overdose on Hydroxyzine occurs when more of the medication is in the body than it can safely process which leads to exaggerated effects. This can happen in several ways:
Exceeding Prescribed Dose
The most straightforward path to overdose is simply taking more than the doctor prescribed, whether accidentally or intentionally.
Polysubstance Use (The Most Dangerous Scenario)
The risk skyrockets when Hydroxyzine is combined with other substances, particularly central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This includes:
- Alcohol: Mixing Hydroxyzine with alcohol can dramatically intensify sedation, respiratory depression, and cognitive impairment.
- Opioids: (e.g., tramadol, morphine, codeine) The combination can severely suppress breathing and heart rate.
- Benzodiazepines: (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Ativan) These also cause CNS depression, and combining them with Hydroxyzine creates a dangerous synergistic effect.
- Other Sedatives: Including certain sleep aids or muscle relaxants. Often, individuals may not realize the compounded sedative effects when combining these substances.
Individual Factors
Vulnerability to overdose can also depend on personal factors such as age (older adults and children are more sensitive), existing liver or kidney function, and other underlying medical conditions.
Intentional Misuse
Unfortunately, intentional overdose attempts can occur and are often a sign of significant mental health distress or a cry for help.
Symptoms of Hydroxyzine Overdose
The symptoms of a Hydroxyzine overdose are primarily related to excessive central nervous system depression and its anticholinergic properties. They can range from mild to life-threatening symptoms.
Mild to Moderate Overdose Symptoms:
- Excessive drowsiness or sedation
- Confusion or disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth and throat
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Restlessness or agitation (a paradoxical effect sometimes seen, especially in children)
Severe/Life-Threatening Overdose Symptoms:
- Profound drowsiness, stupor, or unresponsiveness (coma)
- Severe respiratory depression (breathing that is very slow, shallow, or stops)
- Seizures
- Significantly low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Dangerous cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms that can be fatal)
- Hallucinations or severe delirium
- Loss of consciousness
- Cardiac arrest
Long-Term Consequences of Hydroxyzine Overdose
An overdose is always a medical emergency and can have serious consequences:
- Respiratory Failure: The most immediate and critical risk, especially when Hydroxyzine is combined with other CNS depressants, leading to insufficient oxygen to the brain and body.
- Cardiac Complications: Including conditions like QT prolongation and arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
- Brain Damage: Prolonged lack of oxygen due to respiratory or cardiac arrest can result in permanent brain damage.
- Coma: Extended periods of unconsciousness.
- Organ Damage: In severe cases, especially if combined with other toxic substances, there can be damage to organs like the kidneys or liver.
- Increased Risk of Future Overdose: Without addressing the underlying reasons for misuse (addiction, mental health crisis), the risk of future overdose attempts remains high.
What To Do In Case of a Hydroxyzine Overdose
If you suspect someone has overdosed on Hydroxyzine, even if you are unsure, call 911 immediately. This is not a situation to wait or guess.
While waiting for help:
- Stay with the person: Do not leave them alone.
- Gather Information: Be prepared to tell emergency responders:
- What was taken (Hydroxyzine).
- How much was taken (your best estimate).
- When it was taken.
- Any other substances taken (this is absolutely crucial information).
- Any existing medical conditions the person has.
- Do NOT Induce Vomiting: It can cause more harm than good and lead to choking.
- Be Prepared for Resuscitation: If the person stops breathing or loses consciousness, follow any instructions from the emergency dispatcher.
Beyond Overdose: Connecting to Addiction and Mental Health
An overdose, whether intentional or accidental, is a critical warning sign that serious help is needed. Misusing Hydroxyzine or any prescription medication often stems from deeper issues:
- Self-Medication: Many individuals turn to substances, including prescription medications, to cope with untreated anxiety, insomnia, depression, or trauma.
- Recreational Use/Experimentation: Some may experiment with Hydroxyzine for recreational purposes, particularly when combined with other drugs, leading to dangerous outcomes.
- Addiction: Repeated misuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence, where the individual feels compelled to use the drug despite negative consequences.
Conclusion
Can you overdose on Hydroxyzine? Yes, you can, and it can be dangerous, especially when combined with other substances. Always use prescription medications exactly as directed by your healthcare provider and never combine them without explicit medical advice.
At Premier Addiction Recovery, a drug rehab in Florida, we understand the complexities of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. We believe in providing comprehensive and compassionate care to help individuals reclaim their lives from the grip of substance misuse.
Contact Premier Addiction Recovery today to book a consultation and for more information on how we can help.
