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Hydroxyzine overdose

Atarax overdose; Vistaril overdose

 

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine available only with a prescription. It is used to treat symptoms of allergies and motion sickness.

Hydroxyzine overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

 

Hydroxyzine can be harmful in large amounts.

 

Where Found

 

Hydroxyzine is found in medicines with these names:

  • Atarax
  • Durrax
  • Rezine
  • Vistaril
  • Ucerax

Other medicines may also contain hydroxyzine.

 

Symptoms

 

Dilated pupils are the classic symptom of a hydroxyzine overdose . Below are other symptoms of a hydroxyzine overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

  • Shortness of breath

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

  • Difficulty urinating

EYES, EARS, NOSE, THROAT, AND MOUTH

  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth, nose, and throat

HEART AND BLOOD

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Pounding heartbeat (palpitations)

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
  • Convulsions
  • Delirium
  • Depression
  • Disorientation
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Excitation
  • Hallucinations
  • Nervousness
  • Sleeping difficulties
  • Tremor
  • Uncoordinated movement
  • Unsteadiness

SKIN

  • Flushed skin

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the person

 

Poison Control

 

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

The person may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Chest x-ray
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Laxative
  • Medicines to treat symptoms (including one to reverse the effects of the poison)
  • Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage )

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Recovery is likely if the person survives the first 24 hours. Complications such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a prolonged period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen may cause permanent disability. Few people actually die from an antihistamine overdose, unless they have serious heart rhythm disturbances or breathing problems.

 

 

Open References

References

Kirk MA, Baer AB. Anticholinergics and antihistamines. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2007:chap 39.

Simons FER, Akdis CA. Histamine and H 1 antihistamines. In: Adkinson NF Jr, Bochner BS, Burks AW, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 94.

Velez LI, Feng S-Y. Anticholinergics. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 150.

 

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Hydroxyzine overdose

           
             

            Review Date: 10/13/2015

            Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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