Are Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Hydroxyzine the same drug?

[Mycophile]

I read that Cetirizine (zyrtec) has Hydroxyzine as one of its active metabolites but I don't really understand what this means.

Are Zyrtec and Hydroxyzine the same thing?

If not, do they have most of the same effects, not only in regards to antihistamine action but also anti-anxiety action and potentiating opioids?

Thanks

 

[Help?!?!]

Nope. Cetirizine is the main metabolite of hydroxyzine. It will potentiate opiates but doesn't retain the action on serotonin which is believed to mediate the anxiolytic action of hydroxyzine.

 

[Mycophile]

Nope. Cetirizine is the main metabolite of hydroxyzine. It will potentiate opiates but doesn't retain the action on serotonin which is believed to mediate the anxiolytic action of hydroxyzine.

Ok so it's not as good for anxiety?

But do you know if it works just as well for allergies as hydroxyzine?

Does it potentiate opioids as well as hydroxyzine?

And what does "active metabolite" mean?

Thanks

 

[adder]

Cetirizine is much more hydrophilic than hydroxyzine so it doesn't cross the BBB as readily hence it lacks central effects thus lacking anxiolytic properties that centrally acting antihistamines have. For this reason it won't potentiate opioids much, it can only lessen histamine effects peripherally due to histamine release caused by opioids.

An active metabolite is a compound to which a drug is metabolised inside the body and which has a certain pharmacological effect (whichever is discussed).

 

[Mycophile]

Cetirizine is much more hydrophilic than hydroxyzine so it doesn't cross the BBB as readily hence it lacks central effects thus lacking anxiolytic properties that centrally acting antihistamines have. For this reason it won't potentiate opioids much, it can only lessen histamine effects peripherally due to histamine release caused by opioids.

An active metabolite is a compound to which a drug is metabolised inside the body and which has a certain pharmacological effect (whichever is discussed).

I don't know what hydrophilic means.

I don't know much about science so I need simple explanations.

So will cetirizine work for the rashes and allergic reactions I've been getting lately for Kratom or is Hydroxyzine stronger and should I ask my dermatologist for a Hydroxyzine prescription??

There must be a reason why one is over the counter and the other prescription right??

 

[SociallyAwkward]

I don't know what hydrophilic means.

I don't know much about science so I need simple explanations.

So will cetirizine work for the rashes and allergic reactions I've been getting lately for Kratom or is Hydroxyzine stronger and should I ask my dermatologist for a Hydroxyzine prescription??

There must be a reason why one is over the counter and the other prescription right??

Yes it works well for allergic reactions. Cetirizine is actually quite sedating in higher doses than recommended and will work as a very mild anxiolytic too. Among all second generation antihistamines it is the one with most BBB penetration. Hydroxyzine is a first generation antihistamine and as explained by a previous poster it crosses the BBB more readily than cetirizine and has a stronger effect.