Table 4.
Sedatives used in dermatologic conditions
| Category | Agent | Dosage | Side effects | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antihistamines | Certirizine (Zyrtec®) | 10 mg daily | Sedative | Use caution driving |
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) | 25–50 mg tid–qid | Sedative | With each | |
| Doxepin (Sinequan®) | 25–100 mg tid | Sedative | ||
| Hydroxyzine (Atarax®) | 25–100 mg tid | Sedative | ||
| Levocetrizine (Xyzal®) | 5 mg daily | Mild sedative | ||
| Promethazine (Phenergan®) | 25–100 mg tid–qid | Sedative | ||
| Herbs | Valerian | 300–900 mg daily HS | ||
| Supplements | Melatonin | 3 mg HS | ||
| Nondrug | Hypnosis | HS | Avoid use driving | |
| Progressive relaxation | HS |
Abbreviations: HS, at bedtime; qid, four times daily; tid, three times daily.