Hydroxyzine oral forms dosage: A detailed guide

Hydroxyzine oral tablet and solution are generic medications. They’re not available in brand-name versions. Hydroxyzine oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Vistaril. Hydroxyzine also comes in injectable forms, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

This article describes hydroxyzine oral forms’ dosages, their strengths, and details on how to take them. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for hydroxyzine.

If you want to know more about hydroxyzine oral forms, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Forms and strengths of hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine oral forms come as follows:

Forms and strengths:

• tablet that you swallow: 10 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg
• capsule that you swallow: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
• solution that you swallow: 10 mg per 5 milliliters (mL)

Dosage of hydroxyzine

This article describes the recommended dosages* for hydroxyzine oral forms.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of hydroxyzine oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosages of hydroxyzine in adults

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. Your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of hydroxyzine oral forms that gives the desired outcome.

The recommended maximum dosage of hydroxyzine is 100 milligrams (mg) taken up to four times per day. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your dosage.

Dosage to induce sedation (state of sleepiness and relaxation) before surgery

Hydroxyzine is approved to help induce sleepiness and relaxation before a planned surgery in adults. It’s taken before or after you receive anesthesia for your surgery. The dosage is the same for hydroxyzine’s oral tablet, capsule, and solution.

Your doctor will give you directions on how you’ll take your dose. Or they may give your dose at a healthcare facility.

Dosage for anxiety

Hydroxyzine is approved to help relieve symptoms of anxiety in adults. The dosage is the same for hydroxyzine’s oral tablet, capsule, and solution.

Dosage for itching

Hydroxyzine is approved to treat itching related to allergies or dermatitis in adults. The dosage is the same for hydroxyzine’s oral tablet, capsule, and solution.

Dosages of hydroxyzine in children

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in children.

Dosage to induce sedation (state of sleepiness and relaxation) before surgery

Hydroxyzine is approved to help induce sleepiness and relaxation before a planned surgery in some children. It’s taken before or after your child receives anesthesia for surgery.

The dosage of hydroxyzine is based on your child’s body weight in mg per kilogram (mg/kg). For reference, 1 kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosage is the same for hydroxyzine’s oral tablet, capsule, and solution.

For example, if your child weighs 25 kg (about 55 lb), then the dose would be 15 mg.

Your child’s doctor will provide directions on how to give your child the medication. Or they may give your child the dose at a healthcare facility.

Dosage for anxiety or itching

Hydroxyzine is approved to help relieve symptoms of anxiety in some children. It’s also approved to help treat itching related to allergies or dermatitis in some children. The dosage of hydroxyzine is based on your child’s age.

The dosage is the same for hydroxyzine’s oral tablet, capsule, and solution. Talk with your doctor about the oral form that’s best for your child. Hydroxyzine oral tablets come in various strengths, including as low as 10 mg.

If you have questions about your child’s dosage of hydroxyzine to treat anxiety or itching, your doctor can provide you with more information.

Dosage adjustments for hydroxyzine

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of hydroxyzine oral forms based on several factors, including:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• age of the person taking it
• other health conditions

Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. They may adjust your hydroxyzine dosage.

If you’re over age 65 years, your doctor may start you on a lower dosage of hydroxyzine.

Missed dose of hydroxyzine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of hydroxyzine oral forms. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of hydroxyzine oral forms and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about hydroxyzine oral forms and its dosage.

Can hydroxyzine be taken for panic attacks? If so, what is the dosage?

Hydroxyzine is not approved to treat panic attacks. For this reason, a recommended dosage isn’t available from the drugmaker.

In some cases, hydroxyzine may be used off-label to treat panic attacks. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.

Hydroxyzine is approved to help relieve anxiety symptoms, but panic attacks differ from anxiety. With panic attacks, you may experience a sudden episode of fear without an apparent cause.

Symptoms of panic attacks can include:

• increased heart rate
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• shaking
• trouble breathing

Talk with your doctor for more information about panic attacks. They can provide you with a treatment recommendation and dosing information.

Is hydroxyzine taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe hydroxyzine oral forms as a long-term treatment. Instead, they’re usually recommended to be taken only as long as needed.

For anxiety, the drug was studied for up to 4 months. Over that time, hydroxyzine’s effectiveness for long-term use was not established. Your doctor should continually monitor the usefulness of the drug if taken long term.

If you and your doctor determine that hydroxyzine is safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it short term. If you have questions about how long you should take it, talk with your doctor.

How hydroxyzine is taken

You’ll swallow hydroxyzine oral forms with food or without it one to four times per day. Your doctor will give you instructions on exactly how you’ll take hydroxyzine.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This can help keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. By doing so, the drug can work more effectively.

The drugmaker doesn’t specify whether the tablets can be crushed, split, or chewed. But if you have trouble swallowing tablets or capsules, let your doctor know. You might also view this article for suggestions on swallowing medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

You may be prescribed hydroxyzine to help induce a state of sleepiness and relaxation before a planned surgery. If so, you may take your dose in a healthcare facility.

Hydroxyzine coupon

Visit these pages for hydroxyzine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine pamoate to access Optum Perks coupons. You can get price estimates for hydroxyzine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of hydroxyzine

It’s important that you do not take more hydroxyzine oral forms than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of hydroxyzine overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• vomiting
• low blood pressure
• abnormal heart rhythms
• sleepiness

What to do if you take too much hydroxyzine

If you think you’ve taken too much hydroxyzine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for hydroxyzine oral forms. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of hydroxyzine oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take hydroxyzine oral forms exactly as your doctor prescribes them. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Why do the dosages of hydroxyzine oral forms differ depending on the condition being treated?
• Do I have a higher risk of side effects from hydroxyzine at higher dosages?
• Is the adult dosage of hydroxyzine calculated by body weight?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.