Question 1

is vistaril (hydroxyzine) truly as effective in treating anxiety as a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: There's a reason benzodiazepines are so widely used: they work well, particularly for anxiety.  Sedating antihistamines like vistiril (hydroxyzine) are non-addictive & thus preferable if they do the job.  But the truth is, for most people benzodiazepines are more effective.  There are other alternatives, by the way: ssris, buspar, (buspirone) beta-blockers, & sedating antidepressants (trazodone, doxepin).

Question 2

are benzodiazepines safe?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines: Used for short-term treatment of anxiety, muscle spasm, insomnia, agitation, sedation, they are safe, as long as closely monitored by your doctor.

Question 3

is cyclobenzaprine a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

No: Cyclobenzaprine, also known as flexeril, (cyclobenzaprine hcl) is not a benzodiazepine.  It is more closely related to the tricyclic antidepressants, and is used for muscle spasms.

Question 4

what are the uses of vistaril (hydroxyzine)?

Accepted Answer

Vistaril (hydroxyzine): It is used as a mild antihistamine, as a tranquilizer that is non-addicting, to help old patients rest. It is combined with pain shots to reduce the incidence of nausea and lower anxiet related to pain.

Question 5

what are the effects of vistaril (hydroxyzine) like?

Accepted Answer

Older antihistamine : Vistaril, (hydroxyzine) Hydroxyzine is an older antihistamine usually used to treat itching. It can be used as a mild hypnotic (sleeing aide) or mild anti-anxiety med (tranquilizer). Major side effect is sedation (sleepiness).

Question 6

is clozapine  a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

No: Clozapine is considered a 2nd generation antipsychotic medication, typically used in schizophrenia, that antagonizes quite a few neurotransmitter receptors, eg Dopamine d1 & d4 plus serotonin 5ht2 & cholinergic muscarinic ones, too. It's a very effective drug when used under close observation but can only be prescribed under restricted distribution due high risk for agranulocytosis, etc.

Question 7

which benzodiazepines are hypnotic?

Accepted Answer

Sleep: Hypnotic in medicine means a medication helps with sleep.  Ambien (zolpidem) is an example of a hypnotic Benzodiazepine.  Halcion is another.

Question 8

is vistaril (hydroxyzine) addictive?

Accepted Answer

No: Vistaril helps restless and anxiety through it's antihistamine activity, much like benadryl (diphenhydramine). It is not addictive, but if you are taking it several times daily you could find yourself having some withdrawal symptoms like runny nose.

Question 9

can you die from benzodiazepine abuse?

Accepted Answer

It can: Benzodiazepines, especially with alcohol can be fatal.

Question 10

what causes benzodiazepines to be toxic?

Accepted Answer

Don't know what you: mean by "toxic," because actually, benzodiazepines have very little "toxicity" as we define it.  Many drugs can cause stomach and intestinal inflammation, liver damage, heart damage, fluid retention, reduce the immune system, cause severe rashes - benzodiazepines have essentially none of these (allergy is always possible). They cause physical dependency and can cause addiction, and memory problems

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Is vistaril a benzodiazepine

A member asked:

Is vistaril (hydroxyzine) truly as effective in treating anxiety as a benzodiazepine?

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Are benzodiazepines safe?

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Is cyclobenzaprine a benzodiazepine?

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What are the uses of vistaril (hydroxyzine)?

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What are the effects of vistaril (hydroxyzine) like?

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Is clozapine a benzodiazepine?

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Which benzodiazepines are hypnotic?

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Is vistaril (hydroxyzine) addictive?

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Can you die from benzodiazepine abuse?

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What causes benzodiazepines to be toxic?

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