Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 13, 2004, at 21:58:41
In reply to Re: anyone experienced w/ taking VISTARIL? for panic?, posted by shadows721 on February 13, 2004, at 17:54:33
Hydroxyzine provides AUTONOMIC sedation, yes. It is a good pre-op sedative. But Remeron's anxiolytic (and antipanic) actions are due to its serotonergic [and maybe noradrenergic] activity, not its antihistamine activity--the antihistamine receptor is what mediates the weight gain and grogginess of Remeron. When doctors want to quell the physical aspects of anxiety, they generally use beta blockers. And dry mucous membranes is hardly a beneficial effect in an anxiolytic!
Keep in mind, too, that generalized anxiety and panic are two different things. I'd believe that hydroxyzine works for generalized anxiety in some people (and spectacularly for allergic reactions, heh). Panic, though, you'd be hard-pressed to convince me about.
Just out of curiosity, were you treated with an SSRI or other serotonergic agent for your depression? If so, you might be downplaying its role in helping you with your anxiety ...
poster:Chairman_MAO
thread:312736
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/313042.html