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Understanding Hydroxyzine Overdose and Addiction

Hydroxyzine, sold under the brand names Vistaril and Atarax, is a first-generation antihistamine commonly used to relieve itching from allergic reactions and is very useful for fulfilling that function when used correctly. But is hydroxyzine addictive, and can it lead to a potentially dangerous overdose of the substance? It is to be noted that the substance does pose a risk for addiction and, in some cases, a hydroxyzine overdose which can lead to horrible symptoms that no one would ever want to see themselves or a loved one experience.

5 Minute Read | Published Oct 03 2023 | Updated Mar 06 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Amber Asher
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Amber Asher
Reviewed by

Better Addiction Care, a sobriety resource that connects patients suffering from mental health crises and drug addictions to the proper facilities for their specific issues or dual diagnosis treatment centers if necessary, presents our findings here. Our team has years of experience connecting patients to the proper sobriety teams through the sobriety resource opportunities available. We are sharing our insights into all things related to hydroxyzine overdose and addiction here.

Why Can Hydroxyzine Be Addictive?

Hydroxyzine does not carry the same risks of addiction as other drugs that are used to treat anxiety, such as alprazolam, lorazepam, or clonazepam. This is because hydroxyzine dependency has a low potential of forming when the substance is used alone, but using it can lead to psychological dependence. The main issue lies with mixing the narcotic with other sedative drugs. The substance is often used before or after surgeries where anesthesia is used, which can lead to a “dual addiction” to both. Though usually done with drugs classed as opioids, addiction, and subsequent hydroxyzine overdose, can occur. There are also some common side effects of taking the drug. These side effects can occur even when not trying to get a hydroxyzine high but simply when using the drug as prescribed. These side effects can include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth
  • Skin rashes
  • Constipation (in older adults)
  • Lesions or reddened skin
  • Fever
  • Noticeable change in heart rate
  • Headache accompanied by chest pain
  • Fainting
  • Seizures
  • Convulsions

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, even though it may not be a hydroxyzine overdose, it is important to be safe and smart with your next decisions. Someone experiencing these symptoms should get in contact with a medical team that can perform emergency services and helps avoid anything escalating further. Though these are all various unwanted side effects of the drug that can occur to anybody, regardless of the presence of a hydroxyzine addiction and abuse, the signs of an active hydroxyzine overdose can be a larger sign. It could mean the presence of an issue with your use of the substance and that it may be time to get sober.

Hydroxyzine Drug Addiction Can Lead to Overdoses

A hydroxyzine overdose can happen to anybody who uses the drug incorrectly, either by mistake or due to willful ignorance. It is often a sign that an individual has been abusing the substance and has been forced to take higher and higher doses. Taking higher doses occurs with many drugs due to a built-up tolerance or a desire for a more potent effect, and many can suffer side effects of such a quantity as a result. Overdose symptoms can materialize in a manner of different ways. Some of the most common and most serious include these mild and less common but more serious symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tachycardia (unnaturally fast heartbeat)
  • Fever
  • Excessive drowsiness
  • Problems with breathing
  • Low blood pressure
  • Convulsions
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Comatose state

If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, then it is important to get in contact with emergency specialists as quickly as possible. This can help reduce the possibility of a hydroxyzine overdose death after having experienced these effects. Getting sober after a hydroxyzine overdose should be the immediate next priority. If you have gotten off light with your symptoms, then it should be seen as a blessing and not a reason to minimize the severity of your addiction. The most important thing when trying to overcome a hydroxyzine addiction is to find specialists in your area. These are the people that can provide the perfect medical care for you and provide tools that make learning how to get sober as comfortable as possible. It is not expected for you to know all about the different rehabilitation centers in your area. That’s where the team at Better Addiction Care can be of use.

Treating Your Hydroxyzine Addiction to Prevent Overdose

When you are trying to get onto a path in life that is dominated by health, happiness, and sobriety as opposed to one that is defined by substance abuse, mental health issues, or both, then be sure to make use of all the resources at your disposal. Better Addiction Care offers free resources that provide insight into addiction, mental health, and dual-diagnosis treatment centers all across the United States. This is to help potential patients make the most informed decisions they can. Get in touch with our team to learn more about our resources, or take a look at some of our other articles for more insight into drug addiction, mental health, and treatment. Our team is here to help. Be sure to use instances like a hydroxyzine overdose as the sign that it is time to get help and rely on our team to provide free online insight into rehabilitation centers all across the nation. 

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