Healthy Matters
Resources
  • Healthy Matters
    Drugs A-Z
    Pharmacist Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
    Nutritionist Tips | Facts | Precautions
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Herbs
    Practitioner Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Prescriptions
  • Healthy Matters
    Expert Advisory Board
Articles
  • Healthy Matters
    Specialists Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Other Services Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Vaccination
  • Healthy Matters
    Parenting Guides
Health Topics ★
  • Healthy Matters
    Allergy & Immunology
  • Healthy Matters
    Baby & Child's Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Beauty
  • Healthy Matters
    Bone & Muscle Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Cancer & Tumor
  • Healthy Matters
    Common Illnesses
  • Healthy Matters
    Digestive Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Eye Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Fitness
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
  • Healthy Matters
    Heart & Vascular Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Infectious Diseases
  • Healthy Matters
    Medical Tests
  • Healthy Matters
    Mental Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Pregnancy
  • Healthy Matters
    Respiratory Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Sexual Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Skin Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Urological Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Women's Health
Search All
  • Healthy Matters
    Doctors
    Specialty | Address | Phone number
  • Healthy Matters
    Clinics
    Opening Hours | Address | Phone number
Popular Locations
  • Healthy Matters
    Central
  • Healthy Matters
    Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Healthy Matters
    Mong Kok
  • Healthy Matters
    Causeway Bay
Healthy Matters
Home
>
Western medicines > Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine

Chinese name:
羥嗪
Joseph Blais, Pharmacist
Reviewed by
Joseph Blais, Pharmacist
Expert Advisory Board Member
Last Updated: 2022-04-28

What is Hydroxyzine for?

Hydroxyzine is a sedating (first generation) antihistamine that can relieve itchiness associated with allergies such as hay fever, hives, food allergy, and drug reactions. It can also be used to manage anxiety in the short term and as a sedative before or after surgery.

How to use it?

Hydroxyzine can be taken by mouth as tablets or capsules and the dosages for different age groups and uses are listed below.

 

For itchiness

Adult
Start with 25 mg daily at night and increase the dose to 25 mg 3-4 times daily if necessary.

 

Child 6 months – 5 years
5-15 mg daily in divided doses and the dose is adjusted according to their weights. The maximum daily dose is 2 mg/kg.

 

Child 6-17 years (body weight below 40 kg)
Start with 15-25 mg daily in divided doses. The dose is adjusted according to their weights and may increase if necessary. The maximum daily dose is 2 mg/kg.

 

Child 6-17 years (body weight 40 kg or above)
Start with 15-25 mg daily in divided doses. The dose is adjusted according to their weights and may increase to 50-100 mg daily if necessary.

 

For management of anxiety in short term

Adult
50-100 mg daily in divided doses. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg.

What are the side effects of Hydroxyzine?

Common side effects of Hydroxyzine include drowsiness and dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how you respond to Hydroxyzine.

Who should not take Hydroxyzine?

  • People who are allergic to Hydroxyzine or any component of the formulation
  • Patients with QT-interval prolongation or have risk factors for it, or who are taking other QT-interval prolonging drugs

Pharmacist Tips:

  • Hydroxyzine can cause drowsiness. If affected, do not perform tasks that require mental alertness, such as driving or using machinery.
  • Avoid taking Hydroxyzine if you are 65 years and older as you are at higher risk of side effects, such as confusion, dry mouth and constipation.

Common dosing schedule:
This drug can be taken with or without food.


Avoid alcohol while taking this drug.

 

This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.

 

Some common medications Hydroxyzine may interact with:

  • Alcohol
  • Amiodarone
  • Clozapine
  • Ipratropium
  • Other antihistamines, e.g. Chlorpheniramine, Diphenhydramine, Fexofenadine, Levocetirizine, Loratadine, Promethazine

Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.

Where to buy Hydroxyzine in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Hydroxyzine is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.

 

For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk

Need more information?

For detailed information about the use of Hydroxyzine in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.

Healthy Matters

Your health resource, made in Hong Kong

Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.

 

Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.

 

Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!

 

Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!

 

Read about our story

illustrations of a doctor and a mobile phone