Hydroxyzine (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

Rx only

DESCRIPTION

Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is designated chemically as (±)-2-[2-[4-(p -Chloro-α-phenylbenzyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethoxy]ethanol dihydrochloride. Its structural formula is as follows:

Inactive Ingredients for Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Syrup are: alcohol 0.5%; liquid sugar; methylparaben; peppermint oil; propylene glycol; propylparaben; purified water and spearmint oil. It may also contain citric acid anhydrous or sodium citrate dihydrate for pH adjustment. The pH range is between 2.0 and 4.3.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is unrelated chemically to the phenothiazines, reserpine, meprobamate, or the benzodiazepines.

Hydroxyzine is not a cortical depressant, but its action may be due to a suppression of activity in certain key regions of the subcortical area of the central nervous system. Primary skeletal muscle relaxation has been demonstrated experimentally. Bronchodilator activity, and antihistaminic and analgesic effects have been demonstrated experimentally and confirmed clinically. An antiemetic effect, both by the apomorphine test and the veriloid test, has been demonstrated. Pharmacological and clinical studies indicate that hydroxyzine in therapeutic dosage does not increase gastric secretion or acidity and in most cases has mild antisecretory activity. Hydroxyzine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and its clinical effects are usually noted within 15 to 30 minutes after oral administration.