Does the antihistame hydroxyzine induce seizures?/nBackground: A patient at a psychiatric clinic is

Fråga: Does the antihistame hydroxyzine induce seizures? Background: A patient at a psychiatric clinic is to undergo electro-convulsive treatment. Is it advisable to use hydroxyzine as an hypnotic?

Sammanfattning: There are no data in the literature which would indicate that hydroxyzine in ordinary recommended doses could lower the seizure threshold in a clinically significant manner.

Svar: We have found one report where a 13 month-old child showed generalized seizures and other symptoms after intoxication with a high dose of hydroxyzine (1). Besides this report there is nothing in the literature retrievable through the database Medline where seizures have been linked to the use of hydroxyzine in clinical or toxic doses. No report on seizures have been found in the side effects register of the Swedish side effects committee or in relevant handbooks. The possible convulsive effect of hydroxyzine has not been studied.