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What Is Hydroxyz HCL Tab?

Hydroxyz HCL, also known as hydroxyzine hydrochloride, is a prescription medication often used to treat anxiety and other mental disorders, such as dementia, that may be manifested as nervousness or tension. It essentially works on certain chemicals in the brain to bring about a calming effect. While this is the most common use for the medication, it has shown some positive results as a treatment for other medical conditions.

  1. Mental Disorders

    • When Hydroxyz HCL is used in the treatment of mental or mood disorders, it is typically prescribed for only a short period of time. It is seen as more of an adjunct medication that is administered to people experiencing periodic episodes of nervousness or tension in relation to their mental or mood disorder. It isn't necessarily a treatment for the disorder itself, just for those particular symptoms of that disorder. It affects certain neurotransmitters, like serotonin, in the central nervous system (CNS) that are linked to a person's mood.

    Allergies

    • Hydroxyz HCL has also been used in the treatment of allergic reactions to some substances and medications. Hydroxyz HCL actually belongs to the classification of medications known as antihistamines, which blocks histamine, an immune response to an allergy. When someone is suffering from an allergic reaction in the form of itchiness, watering eyes or a runny nose, a doctor may prescribe this medication to help alleviate these symptoms.

    Analgesic Amplifier

    • Hydroxyz HCL has been shown to augment or increase the effectiveness of certain analgesics. The benefit in using hydroxyzine hydrochloride with painkiller is that the dosage of these analgesics, like meperidine, will be less, while still seeing the same results as would be witnessed with a higher dose.

    Motion Sickness

    • On occasion, Hydroxyz HCL may be prescribed to treat certain cases of motion sickness, especially when over-the-counter medications aren't helpful. This particular medication can work as antiemetic by both blocking histamine and dopamine while still acting on the serotonin in the brain to lessen the potential of motion sickness as well as the nausea and vomiting that often accompanies it.

    Sedative

    • Hydroxyz HCL may also be used, much in the way it's used as an analgesic amplifier, as an adjunct medication for a sedative. It may be used prior to a surgery to calm a patient or even after the surgery has been performed to allow the patient to relax. It would typically be used with a barbiturate, and varies in its dosage from person to person.

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