How Long Does Hydroxyzine Stay In Your System?

Hydroxyzine is a medication that belongs to the class of antihistamines. It can reduce the activity of the central nervous system and the effects of histamine, a natural chemical in the body that causes itching, hives and other allergic reactions. Hydroxyzine is used for various purposes, such as treating anxiety, insomnia, nausea, motion sickness and skin conditions. But how long does it stay in your system after you take it? In this article, we will explore the factors that affect the elimination of hydroxyzine from your body, the methods to detect its presence in your blood, urine or hair, and the possible side effects and interactions of this drug.


How Long Does Hydroxyzine Stay In Your System?

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine to treat allergic skin reactions, anxiety, and tension. It can also be used as a sedative before or after general anesthesia.

Hydroxyzine will stay in your system for about 100 hours, on average, but its clinical effect may wear off before this time. Hydroxyzine has a half-life of about 20 hours. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the plasma (blood) concentration to be reduced by 50% from its original value.

However, the duration of action of hydroxyzine may vary depending on the dose, the individual, and the condition being treated. Some sources suggest that hydroxyzine wears off in 3 to 6 hours, while others say it can last for over 24 hours in some people.

Hydroxyzine may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness. It may also impair your thinking or reactions, so be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Hydroxyzine can also cause a severe heart problem, mainly if you use certain medicines simultaneously. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

You should not use hydroxyzine if you are allergic to it or have certain medical conditions such as long QT syndrome, glaucoma, heart disease, or electrolyte imbalance. Hydroxyzine may also harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Talk to your doctor before using hydroxyzine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This is not a complete list of information about hydroxyzine. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and advice. Do not use this medicine without a prescription or medical supervision.

Hydroxyzine Half Life

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine to treat allergic skin reactions, anxiety, and tension. It can also be used as a sedative before or after general anesthesia.

The half-life of a drug is an estimate of the time it takes for the concentration or amount of the drug in your body to be reduced by exactly one-half (50%). The symbol for the half-life is t½.

Knowing the half-life of a drug is essential for determining how often to take the drug, how long it will take to reach a steady state in your body, and how long it will take to be eliminated from your body. It can also help you avoid drug interactions, side effects, and overdose.

Hydroxyzine has a half-life of about 20 hours for adults. This means that after 20 hours, you will have 50% of the original amount of hydroxyzine left in your body. After another 20 hours, you will have 25% left, and so on.

However, the duration of action of hydroxyzine may vary depending on the dose, the individual, and the condition being treated. Some sources suggest that hydroxyzine wears off in 3 to 6 hours, while others say it can last for over 24 hours in some people.

Hydroxyzine may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness. It may also impair your thinking or reactions, so be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Hydroxyzine can also cause a severe heart problem, primarily if you use certain medicines simultaneously. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

You should not use hydroxyzine if you are allergic to it or have certain medical conditions such as long QT syndrome, glaucoma, heart disease, or electrolyte imbalance. Hydroxyzine may also harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Talk to your doctor before using hydroxyzine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This is not a complete list of information about hydroxyzine. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and advice. Do not use this medicine without a prescription or medical supervision.

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  1. How Long Does Hydroxyzine 25 Mg Stay In Your System?

    Hydroxyzine 25 mg is a standard dose of this antihistamine that can be used to treat allergic skin reactions, anxiety, and tension. It can also be used as a sedative before or after general anesthesia. Hydroxyzine has a half-life of about 20 hours for adults. This means that after 20 hours, you will have 50% of the original amount of hydroxyzine left in your body. After another 20 hours, you will have 25% left, and so on.

  2. How Long Does Hydroxyzine 10mg Stay In Your System?

    Hydroxyzine 10 mg is a lower dose of this antihistamine that can be used to treat allergic skin reactions, anxiety, and tension. It can also be used as a sedative before or after general anesthesia. Hydroxyzine 10 mg may stay in your system for a few hours to several days, depending on various factors.

Hydroxyzine Factsheet

Hydroxyzine Overview

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication for itching, anxiety, and nausea. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a natural chemical that causes allergic reactions. Hydroxyzine can also be used as a sedative before or after surgery. Hydroxyzine is available by prescription only and can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and heart problems.

How long does hydroxyzine stay in your system? It should not be used by people who are allergic to it or have certain medical conditions. Hydroxyzine has a half-life of about 20 hours, which means it takes about that long for half of the drug to leave the body. However, the effects of hydroxyzine may last longer or shorter depending on the dose and the individual.


Hydroxyzine Withdrawal Symptoms

Hydroxyzine withdrawal symptoms are not familiar or severe, as this medication is not known to cause physical dependence or addiction. However, some people may experience a rebound of anxiety, insomnia, or itching when they stop taking hydroxyzine, especially if they have been using it for a long time or at high doses.

These symptoms are usually mild and temporary and can be managed by gradually tapering off the medication under a doctor’s supervision. Some people may also experience side effects from hydroxyzine while taking it, such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness. These side effects are usually mild and go away with time or by adjusting the dose.

Hydroxyzine Side Effects

  • Sedation: You might feel drowsy or sleepy or have trouble focusing while taking hydroxyzine. This can affect your ability to drive or do other tasks that require alertness. This side effect is more common than with other medications used for anxiety.
  • Dry mouth: Hydroxyzine can reduce the production of saliva in your mouth, which can make it feel dry and uncomfortable. You can try drinking water, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy to relieve this side effect.
  • Nausea: Hydroxyzine can sometimes make you feel sick, especially if you take it on an empty stomach. You can take it with food or milk to prevent or reduce nausea.
  • Headache: Hydroxyzine can cause a mild headache in some people. You can try taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain.
  • Dizziness: Hydroxyzine can lower your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up. You can try getting up slowly and holding on to something for support to prevent falls.
  • Heart problems: Hydroxyzine can affect the electrical activity of your heart and cause a severe condition called QT prolongation, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, fainting, or even sudden death.

    This is more likely to happen if you have a history of heart problems, use certain other medications, or have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood. You should tell your doctor about all your medicines and get regular electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor your heart while taking hydroxyzine.

Hydroxyzine Statistics

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication used to treat itching, anxiety, and nausea. It has been on the market since 1956 and is still widely prescribed today. Here are some interesting statistics about hydroxyzine that you may not know.


Hydroxyzine was the 70th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in 2020, with over 10 million prescriptions.

Source: NCBI

The most commonly used antihistamine

Hydroxyzine is one of the most commonly used antihistamines for allergic conditions, such as chronic urticaria, atopic or contact dermatoses, and histamine-mediated pruritus.

Source: NCBI

Hydroxyzine has a potential risk of QT interval prolongation and cardiac arrhythmia events, confirmed by clinical and post-marketing data.

Source: European Medicines Agency


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How long does hydroxyzine stay in your system? The onset of action occurs between 15 and 60 minutes of taking the drug, and its duration of action is between 4 to 6 hours.
How long does hydroxyzine stay in your system? The onset of action occurs between 15 and 60 minutes of taking the drug, and its duration of action is between 4 to 6 hours.

How Long Does Hydroxyzine Stay In Your System For Anxiety?

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication that can be used to treat anxiety and tension. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a natural chemical that causes allergic reactions and stimulates the brain. Hydroxyzine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and works very fast.

The onset of action occurs between 15 and 60 minutes of taking the drug, and its duration of action is between 4 to 6 hours. The maximum effect will be felt around 2 hours after taking the medication1. However, the effects of hydroxyzine may vary depending on the dose, the individual, and the condition being treated.

Some people may feel more relaxed and sleepy, while others may feel more alert and energetic. Hydroxyzine can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness. People with heart problems, glaucoma, or electrolyte imbalance should not use it. Hydroxyzine should be used only as prescribed and under medical supervision.

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Does Hydroxyzine Build Up In Your System?

Hydroxyzine is generally not known to accumulate or build up in the body over time. It is classified as a short-acting medication, meaning its effects are typically felt for a limited duration.

After taking hydroxyzine undergoes various processes in the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The drug is metabolized by the liver and primarily eliminated through the kidneys through metabolites. The half-life of hydroxyzine, which is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body, is reported to be around 20-25 hours in adults.

Due to its relatively short half-life, hydroxyzine is not expected to accumulate significantly in the system with regular use. However, it is essential to note that age, liver function, kidney function, and dosage frequency can influence the drug’s clearance from the body.

How long does hydroxyzine stay in your system? Hydroxyzine can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness.
How long does hydroxyzine stay in your system? Hydroxyzine can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, or dizziness.

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Sources
  1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Hydroxyzine: A Drug Safety Evaluation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110836/
  2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Hydroxyzine Prescribing Information: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Prescription Drug Overdose: Hydroxyzine: https://www.cdc.gov/
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Hydroxyzine DrugFacts: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hydroxyzine
  5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Medication-Assisted Treatment: Hydroxyzine: https://www.samhsa.gov/
  6. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Hydroxyzine: MedlinePlus Drug Information: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682866.html
  7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – MentalHealth.gov: Understanding Hydroxyzine and Its Effects: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-medications/hydroxyzine
  8. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Controlled Substance Schedules: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/
  9. U.S. National Library of Medicine – Hydroxyzine Overdose: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002684.htm
  10. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – Drug and Human Performance Fact Sheets: Hydroxyzine: https://one.nhtsa.gov/