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How Long Does Atarax Stay In The Body?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017
Question: How long will 25mg hydroxyzine/atarax stay in my system. Having vertigo/dizzy side effects and im anxious...i take it for my anxiety that its only making worse
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX -

I just asked you which medication you are using before I saw this information. The effective dose of the Atarax should be mostly out of your system in around 6-8 hours from the time you took it.

It is a sedating antihistamine and so it can help people with anxiety a very little bit by causing sedation. But it is not good at all for preventing anxiety, and it is not a good choice for someone who has significant anxiety.

And yes, it can make your head feel kind of foggy. And for some people, the older class of antihistamines can cause agitation.

I highly recommend an SSRI. SSRIs are useful for preventing panic attacks and for addressing frequent anxiety. They take a couple of weeks to work well. They are not for instant use for panic attacks. They are not addicting or dependency forming, although you do need to withdraw slowly from them if going off of them. Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI with the best profile for low rate of side effects and earliest onset of action. You take one pill a day. It doesn't make you foggy.

I recommend you talk with your doctor about this. You might feel a lot better soon!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (24 minutes later)
I appreciate that. Experiencing these symptoms before, it took a few days for me to completely feel normal again. So im starting to wind down on the fear of brain tumor and am relating how im feeling more to the medication. Very scary and no help for the anxiety im already dealing with.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
If it is the hydroxyzine (which it may very well be), you should be feeling better tomorrow.

If you are sensitive to medications (which it sounds like you might be), and if you do decide to take an SSRI, it might be best to start with half of the recommended dose and stay at that lowered dose for a week or two so your body gets used to it. I tend to be very sensitive to some medications, and found that taking a whole (Zyrtec), an antihistamine in the same family as hydroxyzine, gave me agitation and insomnia. I had to take a very small amount and go up on it gradually. Then I tolerated it fine. Hydroxyzine is an older antihistamine, and while it is a safe medication overall, it does come with a number of side effects.

With Lexapro (escitalopram), most of the side effects are gone after about 2 weeks. But a pediatric dose of 5 mg may be the best way to start for you.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 hours later)
You dont know how much youve helped ease my mind. I cant take the entire pill, i ended up breaking off about a quarter of it and taking that. So that could also be messing things up for me. I am going to stop taking it. Im happy to finally get reassurance instead of ''just talk to your dr''. I have never been put on meds before, and i take this one so randomnly that i guess it just isnt agreeing with me. Fearing you have something seriously wrong with your brain is no fun at all. Thank you again, so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Glad to help.

Detailed Answer:
I'm sure it would be very stressful to feel symptoms and think they are do to a brain tumor! I hope you are feeling better tomorrow, and then do consider medication for ongoing or frequent anxiety and you will feel better from that too.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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How Long Does Atarax Stay In The Body?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX - I just asked you which medication you are using before I saw this information. The effective dose of the Atarax should be mostly out of your system in around 6-8 hours from the time you took it. It is a sedating antihistamine and so it can help people with anxiety a very little bit by causing sedation. But it is not good at all for preventing anxiety, and it is not a good choice for someone who has significant anxiety. And yes, it can make your head feel kind of foggy. And for some people, the older class of antihistamines can cause agitation. I highly recommend an SSRI. SSRIs are useful for preventing panic attacks and for addressing frequent anxiety. They take a couple of weeks to work well. They are not for instant use for panic attacks. They are not addicting or dependency forming, although you do need to withdraw slowly from them if going off of them. Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI with the best profile for low rate of side effects and earliest onset of action. You take one pill a day. It doesn't make you foggy. I recommend you talk with your doctor about this. You might feel a lot better soon!