Nervous disorders in children often require medications called anxiolytics. Their main effect is to reduce anxiety and fear. One of these tools is Atarax. Can I give it to a child, when is it worth it and in what dosage to use it in the treatment of children?
Release form
The drug is produced:
- In tablets. This form of Atarax is represented by oblong tablets, on which there is a transverse dividing line. These tablets are white-coated and placed in blisters of 25 pieces. One carton pack includes 1 blister.
- In solution. This clear, colorless liquid is intended for intramuscular injections, therefore it is bottled in 2 ml ampoules. One pack contains 6 ampoules.
Composition
The active substance of Atarax is represented by hydroxyzine in the form of hydrochloride. This compound contains 25 mg in one tablet, and 50 mg in 1 ml of the injectable form (in one ampoule of the drug - 100 mg).
The tablet form of the drug additionally includes silicon anhydride, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose and other substances that provide the tablets with hardness and shape. In the Atarax solution, only sodium hydroxide and sterile water act as auxiliary components.
Operating principle
The main ingredient in Atarax is a histamine receptor blocker (H1 receptor). He has a sedative effect. It is thanks to him that the medicine is considered an anxiolytic. The drug helps:
- Relieve anxiety.
- Reduce the manifestations of arousal of the nervous system.
- Eliminate the feeling of inner tension.
- Reduce irritability.
- Improve memory and attention.
At the same time, such a medicine does not provoke addiction, and if taken for a long time, then the completion of treatment does not lead to withdrawal syndrome.
Also, Atarax has properties to expand the bronchi, block vomiting and reduce the secretion of gastric juice. For allergic skin diseases, the active substance Atarax effectively eliminates itching.
Indications
In childhood, Atarax is very often prescribed to eliminate itching provoked by allergies. This medication is also often included in the complex of agents used in surgical treatment.
In neurology, Atarax is used:
- With neurosis.
- With organic pathologies of the central nervous system, the symptom of which is nervous excitement and anxiety.
- After a concussion or contusion of the brain, if the child has anxiety and other nervous disorders.
- With neurotic enuresis.
- With panic attacks, manifested by shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, fear of death and other symptoms.
- With genetic disorders of the central nervous system, for example, with Tourette's disease.
From what age is it allowed to take?
Instructions for the use of Atarax prohibits the treatment of babies up to a year with such a drug. For children aged 1 year, the drug can only be prescribed in the form of intramuscular injections. You can take Atarax orally to children who are 3 years old. At the same time, it is not recommended to give such a medicine without consulting a doctor.
Contraindications
The use of Atarax in children is prohibited not only at an early age, but also with increased sensitivity to its active substance. You should not give the medicine if you are intolerant to aminophiline, cetirizine or ethylenediamine.
Due to the presence of lactose in the composition, tablets are not prescribed for problems with the metabolism of galactose or glucose. The injectable form of the drug should not be injected into a vein, artery, or under the skin. Porphyria is also a contraindication for the treatment of Atarax. This medicine is not prescribed for adults if pregnant or breastfeeding.
If the child has impaired liver function or has developed renal failure, the dosage of Atarax should be reduced. Correction of the dose and attention of the pediatrician also require convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism and cardiovascular diseases in the child.
Side effects
The most common negative effect of Atarax treatment is drowsiness and a feeling of lethargy. Also, from taking this drug, many patients develop headaches and increased fatigue.
Less commonly, the drug provokes:
- Allergies.
- Insomnia.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Tremor.
- Dermatitis.
- Excited state.
- Confused consciousness.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Temperature rise.
- Convulsions.
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Constipation.
- Vomiting.
- Violation of urination.
- Soreness at the injection site (with injection).
Very rare side effects include Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, hallucinations, problems with vision and orientation in space. Sometimes Atarax causes hepatitis.
Instructions for use and dosage
- The daily dose of Atarax for itching is calculated by the baby's body weight. At the age of 1-6 years, it is from 1 to 2.5 mg of the active compound of the drug for each kilogram of weight, and for children over six years of age - from 1 to 2 mg. The calculated amount is divided into several steps.
- If the agent is used during surgical treatment, then the dosage will be 1 mg for each kg of the child's body weight. This amount of Atarax is given one hour before the operation.
- How long a child needs to take is determined by the doctor individually in each case.
Overdose
If you give a child Atarax in a higher dose than prescribed, it will negatively affect the state of the central nervous system, cause nausea, increased heart rate, increased body temperature, and a feeling of drowsiness. Serious poisoning will lead to tremors, hallucinations, depression of consciousness, arrhythmias, respiratory failure and even coma.
If the drug was taken orally and an overdose is detected immediately, the stomach is washed and an ambulance is immediately called. Doctors, if necessary, will perform intubation and monitor breathing and circulation, and prescribe symptomatic remedies.
Interaction with other drugs
If you take Atarax together with other drugs that have a depressing effect on the nervous system, this therapeutic effect will be enhanced. This interaction is noted in barbiturates, hypnotics, tranquilizers and narcotic analgesics.
You should not simultaneously prescribe Atarax and anticholinergics or combine this drug with MAO inhibitors. Treatment with antihypertensive drugs, H2-histamine blockers, atropine or cardiac glycosides is not affected by Atarax.
Terms of sale
To buy Atarax in a pharmacy, you need to show the prescription written by your doctor. The price of 25 tablets of this drug is about 280-300 rubles.
Storage conditions and shelf life
The medicine should be kept out of the reach of small children, where the temperature will not exceed + 25 ° C. Treatment with Atarax, which has expired (5 years), is not recommended.
Reviews
There are different opinions about the use of Atarax in childhood. The doctors' comments on such a medicine are mostly positive, and mothers speak of it both well and negatively. According to many parents who gave Atarax to children, taking the medication reduced irritability and anxiety, improved sleep, and helped get rid of tearfulness, nervousness and moodiness.
Nevertheless, there are also reviews in which they complain of adverse reactions, and some mothers are afraid of the strong action of Atarax and refuse treatment with such a remedy in favor of herbal or homeopathic remedies.
Analogs
A substitute for Atarax can be the drug Hydroxyzin Canon, produced in coated tablets. It has the same active compound and the same indications for use. Also, instead of Atarax, neurologists often prescribe:
- Phenibut... This drug is used for fear, anxiety, insomnia, tics, motion sickness and other nervous disorders. The medicine is represented by tablets that can be given to babies aged 2 years and older.
- Adaptol... These pills are often prescribed for children with stuttering, tics and other neurological problems. According to the prescription of a neurologist, it is permissible to give them from 8-9 years of age.
- Noofen... This medicine in capsules is used in the treatment of tics, asthenia, anxiety, neurosis, enuresis and other nervous disorders in children over 8 years old.
- Anvifen... Such capsules are given to children 3 years of age and older with neuroses, tics, stammering, dizziness and other problems with the nervous system.
