Does hydroxyzine help with frequency?

[JaniceB]

I seem to have my IC pain issues in check now that I am on amitriptilyne. (well, I'm in the NIDDK study for it, so can't take any other drugs right now). I'm really happy it has made a huge difference in my pain, but it has not done a thing for my frequency. Does hydroxyzine help with frequency at all? I guess I'm really not sure how it works on IC symtoms - something about mast cells??

Or would Elmiron be a better choice for frequency issues? Or maybe all 3??

I have to wait 6 more weeks (till I finish the study) before I can try other drugs, but I can wait it out, since my pain issues have been under control, but the frequency bothers me so much.

If I don't go when I first feel like I need to, the bladder pain starts to build up until I do go. Amitriptilyne seems to have taken care of my everyday IC pain - but not that pain I get with the pressure/frequency.

I have a 2 year old and its hard enough to take him out shopping or whatever, and then having to worry about finding a restroom at every single stop we make, its so hard. I've gotten so I don't even take him anywhere by myself unless I have to, its easier to wait for my husband to go along so he can stay with him while I am constantly looking for a bathroom. :mad: I can handle knowing I have to deal with IC pain, but I don't know if I can handle looking at a lifetime of searching out restrooms because of frequency!!

Thanks so much!
Janice

[Oxana]

The hydroxyzine hleps for many people with frequency. Sorry it doesn't work for you. Maybe you have it not for enough time yet?
Did you try ditropan XL? It can help.
Did you stik with diet? The trigger food can make me go to bathroom like a crazy.

[tigger_gal]

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and mild anti-anxiety drug. It affects mast cell degranulation, which is thought to play a part in some interstitial cystitis (IC) patients’ symptoms, especially those who have a history of allergies, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome. Hydroxyzine has been shown to improve these conditions, as well as IC.

Hydroxyzine has been found to:

* decrease nocturia (night time voiding)
* decrease daytime frequency
* decrease pain (burning, pressure, painful intercourse)

Hydroxyzine is available in the following two oral forms:

* Generic name: hydroxyzine pamoate/Brand name: Vistaril�
* Generic name: hydroxyzine hydrochloride/Brand name: Atarax�





GENERIC NAME: hydroxyzine
BRAND NAMES: Atarax; Vistaril

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions. Histamine is released by the body during several types of allergic reactions and -- to a lesser extent -- during some viral infections, such as the common cold. When histamine binds to its receptors on cells, it causes changes within the cells that lead to sneezing, itching, and increased mucus production. Antihistamines compete with histamine for cell receptors; however, when they bind to the receptors they do not stimulate the cells. In addition, they prevent histamine from binding and stimulating the cells. After ingestion, the molecule of hydroxyzine is changed slightly, and this changed hydroxyzine that also binds to cells. (This changed hydroxyzine-called an active metabolite--is cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is now an FDA- approved drug.) Though both hydroxyzine and cetirizine act as antihistamines, hydroxyzine causes sedation as a side effect, and cetirizine does not. Hydroxyzine was originally approved by the FDA in 1957.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Capsules: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Syrup: 10mg per teaspoonful (5mL). Suspension: 25mg per teaspoonful (5mL).

STORAGE: Capsules, tablets, and liquids should be stored below 30�C (86�F). Liquid should not be frozen, and should be shaken well prior to each use.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Hydroxyzine is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Although antihistamines are the preferred class of drugs in allergic rhinitis, they only reduce symptoms by 40-60%. Hydroxyzine also is used as an aid for insomnia and to induce sedation prior to certain uncomfortable diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

DOSING: Hydroxyzine has its maximal effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. Therefore, it is often prescribed to be taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed for relief of allergy-related symptoms. When used to combat insomnia, it is prescribed to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime as needed. Patients over the age of 60 years are especially sensitive to the sedating effects of hydroxyzine, and the dose should be reduced. Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Hydroxyzine adds to (exaggerates) the sedating effects of alcohol and other drugs that can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic class of pain medications and its derivatives (e.g. , Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Codeine, Darvon), the tricyclic class of antidepressants (e.g. Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), and certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres, Inderal). Hydroxyzine can also intensify the drying effects of other medications with anticholinergic properties (e.g., Bentyl, Urecholine, Probanthine, Elavil, Thorazine.) When using these drugs, the dose of hydroxyzine may require reduction, therefore.

PREGNANCY: A limited number of studies of hydroxyzine in pregnant women suggests that there may be a relationship between its use in the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital abnormalities in the fetus. Therefore, hydroxyzine should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if hydroxyzine is excreted into breast milk. In general, antihistamines are not recommended for use during breast-feeding because they can cause stimulation or seizures in newborns.

SIDE EFFECTS: Hydroxyzine can commonly cause sedation, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, drying and thickening of oral and other respiratory secretions, and stomach distress. Hydroxyzine may also cause confusion, nervousness, irritability, blurred vision, double vision, tremor, loss or appetite, or nausea. Hydroxyzine should be used with caution (if at all) in persons with narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate gland), hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and asthma.

hope this helps
Brat

[ICLori]

In the NIH trials, hydroxyzine was shown to be helpful to 23% of IC'ers who used it.

I am one of the 77% of IC'ers who did not get any relief from it. (In fact it increased my frequency.)

It's worth a try though. Unfortunately basically all of the meds they use for IC have dismal success rates.

Blessings, Lori

[JaniceB]

OK, thanks for all the info. How long do most people try it, before they know if it is going to help?

Thanks!
Janice

[icnmgrjill]

It helped me greatly with frequency... and basically it just felt like it was keeping my bladder settled down... (i.e. the inflammation)... and helped with frequency and sleep greatly! Just my experience!

Jill

[bunnykinb]

I have been on Atarax since March 2005. Since taking it, I only have to get up one a night to use the restroom;however, the daytime restroom trips have not been decreased. I hate it to when I constantly have to use the restroom at every stop I make. I tried Ditropan and Detrol LA but they both made my mouth so dry to the point where I felt like I was choking. I also take Urocit-K 3 times a day and have Elmiron instills every 2 weeks.

bunnykinb

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the replies.

I tried Detrol LA and it gave me the worst pain! Not sure why it would do that.

I also was on Sanctura (OAB drug) and it also made my mouth very dry.

Did you feel like the detrol la or ditropan helped though? With the sanctura, I still felt most of the frequency, it just felt like I could postpone it, if I had to, but the discomfort was still there.

Nighttime frequency isn't a big problem for me. I'm really hoping I can do something about the daytime, though. I am looking into trying elmiron.

[bunnykinb]

Janice,

With Ditropan and Detrol, I still had to use the restroom every hour as usual. But, I felt it was more difficult for the urine to pass. It seemed as though I had to go, but it took a while.

bunnykinb

[ladybug23]

My main symptoms are the pressure in the bladder...the feeling of always needing to go. Have many of you had success in decreasing this with the atarax? I'm currently on the Elmiron, but just checkin in on the atarax so I'm well informed for my next appt. Thanks.