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Hydroxyzine Syrup Prescribing Information

Package insert / product label
Generic name: hydroxyzine hydrochloride
Dosage form: oral syrup
Drug classes: Antihistamines, Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2023.

Hydroxyzine Syrup 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:

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Inactive Ingredientsfor Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP (Syrup) are: alcohol 0.5% (v/v); sucrose; methylparaben; peppermint flavor; propylene glycol; propylparaben; and purified water. It may also containcitric acid anhydrous or sodium citrate dihydrate for pH adjustment. The pH range is between 2.0 and 4.3.

Hydroxyzine Syrup - 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.

Indications and Usage for Hydroxyzine Syrup

For symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested.

Useful in the management of pruritus due to allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses, and in histamine-mediated pruritus.

As a sedative when used as premedication and following general anesthesia, hydroxyzine may potentiate meperidine and barbiturates, so their use in pre-anesthetic adjunctive therapy should be modified on an individual basis. Atropine and other belladonna alkaloids are not affected by the drug. Hydroxyzine is not known to interfere with the action of digitalis in any way and it may be used concurrently with this agent.

The effectiveness of hydroxyzine as an antianxiety agent for long term use, that is more than 4 months, has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies. The physician should reassess periodically the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

Contraindications

Oral hydroxyzine hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to hydroxyzine hydrochloride products, and in patients with known hypersensitivity to cetirizine hydrochloride or levocetirizine hydrochloride.

Hydroxyzine is contraindicated in patients with a prolonged QT interval.

Hydroxyzine, when administered to the pregnant mouse, rat, and rabbit, induced fetal abnormalities in the rat and mouse at doses substantially above the human therapeutic range. Clinical data in human beings are inadequate to establish safety in early pregnancy. Until such data are available, hydroxyzine is contraindicated in early pregnancy.

Hydroxyzine is contraindicated for patients who have shown a previous hypersensitivity to it.

Warnings

Keep out of the reach of children.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Since many drugs are so excreted, hydroxyzine should not be given to nursing mothers.

Precautions

THE POTENTIATING ACTION OF HYDROXYZINE MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE DRUG IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS SUCH AS NARCOTICS, NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS AND BARBITURATES. Therefore, when central nervous system depressants are administered concomitantly with hydroxyzine, their dosage should be reduced.

QT Prolongation/Torsade de Pointes (TdP)

Cases of QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been reported during post-marketing use of hydroxyzine. The majority of reports occurred in patients with other risk factors for QT prolongation/TdP (pre-existing heart disease, electrolyte imbalances or concomitant arrhythmogenic drug use). Therefore, hydroxyzine should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation, congenital long QT syndrome, a family history of long QT syndrome, other conditions that predispose to QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia, as well as recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated heart failure, and bradyarrhythmias.

Caution is recommended during the concomitant use of drugs known to prolong the QT interval. These include Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmics, certain antipsychotics (e.g., ziprasidone, iloperidone, clozapine, quetiapine, chlorpromazine), certain antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine), certain antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin); and others (e.g., pentamidine, methadone, ondansetron, droperidol).

Since drowsiness may occur with use of this drug, patients should be warned of this possibility and cautioned against driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking hydroxyzine. Patients should be advised against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs, and cautioned that the effect of alcohol may be increased.

Geriatric Use

A determination has not been made whether controlled clinical studies of hydroxyzine included sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to define a difference in response from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

The extent of renal excretion of hydroxyzine has not been determined. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selections.

Sedating drugs may cause confusion and oversedation in the elderly; elderly patients generally should be started on low doses of hydroxyzine and observed closely.

Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP)

Hydroxyzine may rarely cause acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a serious skin reaction characterized by fever and numerous small, superficial, nonfollicular, sterile pustules, arising within large areas of edematous erythema. Inform patients about the signs of AGEP, and discontinue hydroxyzine at the first appearance of a skin rash, worsening of pre-existing skin reactions which hydroxyzine may be used to treat, or any other sign of hypersensitivity. If signs or symptoms suggest AGEP, use of hydroxyzine should not be resumed and alternative therapy should be considered. Avoid cetirizine or levocetirizine in patients who have experienced AGEP or other hypersensitivity reactions with hydroxyzine, due to the risk of cross-sensitivity.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Side effects reported with the administration of hydroxyzine hydrochloride are usually mild and transitory in nature.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Chartwell RX, LLC. at 1-845-232-1683.

Skin and Appendages:Oral hydroxyzine hydrochloride is associated with Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP), fixed drug eruptions, pruritis, rash and urticaria in postmarketing reports.

Anticholinergic:Dry mouth.

Central Nervous System:Drowsiness is usually transitory and may disappear in a few days of continued therapy or upon reduction of the dose. Involuntary motor activity including rare instances of tremor and convulsions have been reported, usually with doses considerably higher than those recommended. Clinically significant respiratory depression has not been reported at recommended doses.

Cardiac System:QT prolongation, Torsade de Pointes.

Overdosage

The most common manifestation of hydroxyzine overdosage is hypersedation. As in the management of overdosage with any drug, it should be borne in mind that multiple agents may have been taken.

If vomiting has not occurred spontaneously, it should be induced. Immediate gastric lavage is also recommended. General supportive care, including frequent monitoring of the vital signs and close observation of the patient, is indicated. Hypotension, though unlikely, may be controlled with intravenous fluids and levarterenol, or metaraminol. Do not use epinephrine as hydroxyzine counteracts its pressor action.

Hydroxyzine overdose may cause QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes. ECG monitoring is recommended in cases of hydroxyzine overdose.

There is no specific antidote. It is doubtful that hemodialysis would be of any value in the treatment of overdosage with hydroxyzine. However, if other agents such as barbiturates have been ingested concomitantly, hemodialysis may be indicated. There is no practical method to quantitate hydroxyzine in body fluids or tissue after its ingestion or administration.

Hydroxyzine Syrup Dosage and Administration

For symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested: in adults, 50 to 100 mg q.i.d.; children under 6 years, 50 mg daily in divided doses and over 6 years, 50 to 100 mg daily in divided doses.

For use in the management of pruritus due to allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses, and in histamine-mediated pruritus: in adults, 25 mg t.i.d. or q.i.d.; children under 6 years, 50 mg daily in divided doses and over 6 years, 50 to 100 mg daily in divided doses.

As a sedative when used as a premedication and following general anesthesia: 50 to 100 mg in adults, and 0.6 mg/kg in children.

When treatment is initiated by the intramuscular route of administration, subsequent doses may be administered orally.

As with all medications, the dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's response to therapy.

How is Hydroxyzine Syrup supplied

Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP (Syrup) 10 mg per 5 mL (teaspoonful) is a slightly yellow liquid with characteristic mint flavor, supplied in 473 mL (1 Pint) bottles (NDC 62135-750-47).

RECOMMENDED STORAGE

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

PROTECT FROM FREEZING

PROTECT FROM LIGHT

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with child-resistant closure.

Rx Only

Manufactured For:

Chartwell RX, LLC.

Congers, NY 10920


L71667

Rev. 09/2023

PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

HydrOXYzine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP - 10 mg per 5 mL - NDC 62135-750-47 - 473 ml (1 Pint) Bottle Label

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HYDROXYZINE HYDROCHLORIDE
hydroxyzine hydrochloride syrup
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:62135-750
Route of AdministrationORAL
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
HYDROXYZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE (UNII: 76755771U3) (HYDROXYZINE - UNII:30S50YM8OG) HYDROXYZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE10 mg in 5 mL
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
WATER (UNII: 059QF0KO0R)
ALCOHOL (UNII: 3K9958V90M)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (UNII: 6DC9Q167V3)
METHYLPARABEN (UNII: A2I8C7HI9T)
PROPYLPARABEN (UNII: Z8IX2SC1OH)
ANHYDROUS CITRIC ACID (UNII: XF417D3PSL)
TRISODIUM CITRATE DIHYDRATE (UNII: B22547B95K)
SUCROSE (UNII: C151H8M554)
Product Characteristics
ColoryellowScore
ShapeSize
FlavorMINTImprint Code
Contains
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:62135-750-47473 mL in 1 BOTTLE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product08/09/2023
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
ANDAANDA08729404/12/1982
Labeler - Chartwell RX, LLC (079394054)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Chartwell Pharmaceuticals Carmel, LLC118673485manufacture(62135-750)

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