Posted by TrevorC on April 22, 2003, at 12:27:56
In reply to Re: Vistaril » TrevorC, posted by Ame Sans Vie on April 22, 2003, at 11:34:16
Thank you so much-you explained it to me really well. My gp is thinking about changing me from Ativan to Vistaril. I don't have GAD that bad, more depression, but really mild-no medication.
My wife was on Atarax and it worked well for her withdrawals, but she was also put on it for her high bp. I'm trying to understand her feelings and appropriate treatments that may help her, while helping myself too. Even though Vistaril is occasionally used to treat alcohol/drug withdrawal, preoperative anxiety, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and to potentiate narcotic pain medication, do you think it is ok for sleep? We go see the psychiatrist tomorrow.
Thanks again.> Vistaril is a prescription antihistamine, generic name 'hydroxyzine pamoate'. Another form of hydroxyzine is also sold, I believe it's hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax). Aside from its antihistamine use it is also occasionally used to treat alcohol/drug withdrawal, preoperative anxiety, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and to potentiate narcotic pain medication.
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> I've heard that in an outpatient setting, the type of anxiety it is usually used to treat is generalized anxiety. I've tried both forms of the drug myself, and found Atarax to be little more than placebo. Vistaril was more helpful, but in a very general way... sort of like the barbiturates. It just sedates you in a very broad manner, thus reducing anxiety. But all in all, I'd say that in the long-term this is a pretty useless treatment for most, as you develop tolerance to the sedation very quickly. May as well use over-the-counter Benadryl.
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> Benzodiazepines are a completely different chemical class from hydroxyzine (which is a piperazine derivative). They act much more specifically in the brain to inhibit neurotransmission that causes feelings of anxiety. Some benzos are also said to have 5-HT/NE reuptake inhibition properties, albeit mild. That may help contribute to the antidepressant effect some people experience from them.
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poster:TrevorC
thread:221446
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030417/msgs/221468.html