Atarax

Generic name: Hydroxyzine

Hydroxyzine tablets or capsules

What are hydroxyzine tablets or capsules?

HYDROXYZINE (Vistaril®) is an antihistamine. This drug relieves itching and allergic skin reactions; may relieve emotional conditions that result in anxiety and tension; reduces nausea and vomiting; helps make you sleep before surgery or at bedtime, and may help with pain relief after surgery.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• prostate trouble
• other chronic illness
• ulcers or other stomach problems
• an unusual or allergic reaction to hydroxyzine, cetirizine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take hydroxyzine tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take hydroxyzine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What other medicines may interact with hydroxyzine?

Because hydroxyzine can cause drowsiness and other effects, other medicines may increase these effects. Some medicines that may interact include:

• alcohol
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions), like phenobarbital
• medicines for colds, hay fever or other allergies
• medicines for mental depression, anxiety, or emotional disturbances
• medicines for pain
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxants

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking hydroxyzine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
• dilated pupils or blurred vision
• fast or irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• muscle or facial twitches
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• seizures (convulsions)
• slurred speech or confusion
• tremor
• unusual weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• drowsiness, dizziness or fatigue
• dry mouth
• headache
• mild stomach upset

What should I watch for while taking hydroxyzine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve within a few days. If you are taking hydroxyzine on a regular schedule, visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

This drug may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you are receiving skin tests for allergies, tell your physician you are using hydroxyzine.

If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your dentist or surgeon you are using hydroxyzine.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.