Atarax and my opinion
I started taking Atarax to fight anxiety, especially when the mind is racing before going to bed . This drug definitely helps, but I am completely lethargic the next morning, and I only took half a tablet of Atarax. Went to see the specialist two weeks ago. I told him my symptoms ( tense muscles, fatigue, light headed, shortness of breath). Thehealth care provider said it might be allergies. He prescribed me hydroxyzine 25MG. I started with with one dose every four hours. They seem to help me relax and help me breath easier .
How can anxiety activate cerebrum?
Anxiety can have two different courses or types: mental and physical anxiety. These types have corresponding signs and symptoms. Emotional or mental anxiety is characterized by worries, nervous thoughts, fears, mental unrest and concerns.
Physical anxiety often manifests itself in racing heartbeat, panic attacks, vertigo, sweating, trembling or shaking and others.
A person may have one type of anxiety or both types at once. Sometimes a person may have more obvious physical symptoms with less emotional expressions or vice versa.
The studies have investigated that different types of anxiety agitate different parts of the cerebrum. It was detected that people with emotional anxiety had more activity in the left part of the cerebrum, while the physical symptoms were more common for the extra activity of the right part.
One of the studies found that people with different fears or phobias had dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, and thalamus more activated in comparison with people who did not have any fears.
It was also researched that patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) had faint binding between the pre-frontal and anterior cortex and the amygdala. The results of the study were compared with people without any disturbances.
According to the results of a variety of studies anxiety can really activate some parts of the cerebrum and do it significantly.
Neurotransmitters and Anxiety
Neurotransmitters are the chemicals in the brain that send information from the brain to the body. They pass signals between neurons to tell the organs and systems of the body work properly. Any imbalance in their action can lead to mood changes, sleep disturbances, trouble concentration, weight changes and other things showing that something is wrong. The factors leading to poor work of neurotransmitters include: constant stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, genetic predisposition, drug and alcohol abuse and caffeine in great amounts.
There are some neurotransmitters associated with anxiety:
• Serotonin
• GABA
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine
Any imbalance in the levels of these neurotransmitters can increase anxiety.
If serotonin is not produced in the amount needed for normal brain work, a person may experience anxiety symptoms.
The reason why neurotransmitters get imbalanced is very difficult to determine. A variety of factors enlarge the chance of a person to have anxiety.
How is anxiety diagnosed?
People who experience anxiety often feel hopeless and helpless. They need special help to reduce or prevent the symptoms of anxiety.
A correct diagnosis can be put by a competent doctor specialized in psychiatry such as psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or other mental-health professional. A professional doctor diagnoses anxiety and finds out the causes of it. He/she usually starts with a careful medical and personal history. Then there is a physical examination, and some tests of procedures if needed. The tests may be necessary to get the full picture about a patient and determine the cause of his/her anxiety. Sometimes diseases or health condition may cause anxiety symptoms.
A person with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) often has the following:
• Anxiousness and nervousness about situations or activities
• Trouble in managing with the worries
• Be restlessness, fatigue or have irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating
Patients with anxiety disorder often experience the symptoms similar to depression.
Antianxiety medication
It is not surprise that our brain is the source of anxiety. This mental condition reveals itself in thoughts and influences the brain chemistry. So it can change the way we think and our organism functions.
Anxiety is often a troubling emotional state which modifies the way we react to different situations. It can get intensified depending on the behaviors that a person produces as a result of his/her anxiety. Scientists have proven that there is complex relationship between anxiety and the brain.
The specific neurons in the brain boost bodily arousal and cause anxiety. Still our brain can also take measures to cope with stress and anxiety. The cause of anxiety may be anything, nevertheless the right treatment is available in every case.
The use of medications to reduce or treat anxiety is the first line method of coping with anxiety symptoms. Most people know such medications as tranquilizers, barbiturates and sedatives; others prefer relaxation training to control the processes that may trigger their anxiety.
Tips for those who take antihistamines
Antihistamines are medications used to manage different allergy symptoms including sneezing, runny nose and irritated eyes. These medications are available over-the-counter or with prescription.
Most experts agree that it is necessary to consult your doctor before taking any antihistamine.
People who have to take antihistamines should remember that these medications may interact with other medications or substances:
• Muscle-relaxing medications;
• Sleeping pills;
• Sedative medications;
• Antihypertensive medications;
• Alcohol.
People who operate machinery or drive should be very careful while taking antihistamines as they often impair reaction and mental activity having a strong sedative action.
Breastfeeding women should know that practically all antihistamines can pass into breast milk. So it is absolutely necessary for a breastfeeding woman to inform a doctor if she intends to take antihistamine medication.
Atarax way of supply
Atarax is produced in the form of tablets and syrup. The tablets are available in the doses of 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg of the active ingredient. The syrup form contains 10 mg of the active ingredient in one spoon (5ml).
Atarax 10 mg tablets are film – coated, orange in color with AX on one side, packed in bottles of 100 tablets.
Atarax 25 mg tablets are film – coated green in color with AX on one side, packed in bottles of 100 or 500 tablets.
Atarax 50 mg tablets are film-coated yellow in color with AX on one side, packed in bottles of 100 tablets.
Atarax 100 mg tablets are film- coated red in color with AX on one side, packed in bottles of 100 tablets.
The way of supply may differ according to the manufacturer.
Atarax contains lactose. So it is necessary to inform your doctor if you have lactose intolerance.
If you have allergic reactions to any component in Atarax do not take this medication.
Atarax use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Atarax is not used in pregnant women. FDA marked the medication –category C having risks for an unborn baby. The animal studies have demonstrated that Atarax used in high doses in pregnant animals caused teratogenicity. The medication has not been studied in pregnant women so there is no evidence of its safety. The manufacturer of the drug warns the potential users who are pregnant about the risks associated with the medication in early pregnancy. Atarax suspension should not be used in women who are in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Only a medical professional can evaluate the potential risks of birth defects and benefits of using this medication in pregnant women.
If you use Atarax and get pregnant call your doctor right away.
There is no evidence if Atarax is excreted into human milk. Still the manufacturer advises the breastfeeding women do not use Atarax due to potential of serious side effects in nursing babies. If you are breastfeeding a baby, ask your doctor for other alternative medication.
Medications affecting Atarax
Atarax may interact with other drugs, so before using Atarax, inform your general practitioner if you use other medicines that make you sleepy on a regular basis. These medicines include:
- Cold or allergy medicines;
- Sedative medications;
- Narcotic pain relievers;
- Sleeping pills;
- Muscle relaxers;
- Seizures medications;
- Antidepressants;
- Medications to treat anxiety or other mental conditions.
Atarax may cause sleepiness and the mentioned above medications may add more sleepiness to a person who uses Atarax with any of these drugs.
Inform your general practitioner about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs, food supplements, and drugs for other conditions you may have.
Atarax general information
Atarax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, allergic conditions and for sedation purposes. If you like to use this medication or have any questions about it, talk with your general practitioner or pharmacist.
Atarax is to be used by the person for whom it is directed. The medication should not be given to other people even if they have the same symptoms.
If a patient is treated with Atarax and his/her symptoms do not improve or disappear, or if they become worse, it is necessary to consult with a doctor.
Ask your doctor about how to dispose of unused medicine if it is left after treatment.

