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Hydroxyzine, sold under the brand names Atarax and Vistaril among others, is an antihistamine medication. [8] It is used in the treatment of itchiness, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea (including that due to motion sickness). [8] It is used either by mouth or injection into a muscle. [8] Hydroxyzine works by blocking the effects of histamine. [9]
It is available over-the-counter and is typically sold under such brand names as Equate or Unisom, among others; and it is used in nighttime cold medicines (e.g., NyQuil) and pain medications containing acetaminophen and/or codeine to help with sleep. The medication is delivered chemically by the salt doxylamine succinate and is taken by mouth.
Topical antipruritics in the form of creams and sprays are often available over the counter. The active ingredients usually belong to these classes: Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxyzine; Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone topical cream, see topical steroid; Counterirritants, such as mint oil, menthol, or camphor [9]
Typically, people take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic (not patented) drug that can be bought without a prescription and provides relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, or hives caused by pollen, dust mites, or animal allergy with few side effects. [1] Antihistamines are usually for short-term treatment. [1]
Histamine, acting on H 1-receptors, produces pruritus, vasodilation, hypotension, flushing, headache, bradycardia, bronchoconstriction, increase in vascular permeability and potentiation of pain. [2] While H 1-antihistamines help against these effects, they work only if taken before contact with the allergen.
Loratadine, sold under the brand name Claritin among others, is a medication used to treat allergies. [5] This includes allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and hives. [5] It is also available in drug combinations such as loratadine/pseudoephedrine, in which it is combined with pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant. [5]
OTC Bayer medication with child-resistant packaging (cap) and tamper-resistant carton and innerseal Photo of the packaging of four medicines dispensed in the United Kingdom showing their Product Licence Numbers and symbols denoting if they are Prescription Only Medicine (POM) or Pharmacy Medicine (P), or lacking either, denoting General Sales List (GSL).
The medication works by blocking histamine H 1 receptors, mostly outside the brain. [6] Cetirizine can be used for paediatric patients. The main side effect to be cautious about is somnolence. [10] It was patented in 1983 [11] [12] and came into medical use in 1987. [13] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [14]