Atarax

Drug name: Atarax®

Other names used:

Alamon®
Anx®
Atarax Syrup®
Aterax®
Durrax®
Orgatrax®
Quiess®
Tran-Q®
Tranquizine®
Vistaril®
Vistaril Parenteral®

Active Ingredients:

Hydroxyzine

Therapeutic actions: Hydroxyzine belongs to a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Its other effects (e.g., calming, pain relief) may work by affecting other natural substances (e.g., acetylcholine, serotonin) or by acting directly on certain parts of the brain.

Indications: Hydroxyzine is used for the short-term treatment of nervousness and tension that may occur with certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, dementia). It is also used to treat itching from allergies and other causes (e.g., reactions to certain drugs). It may also be used to help you feel calmer before/after surgery, or to help certain narcotic pain relievers (e.g., meperidine) work better.

This drug may also be used to prevent or treat motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting related to certain conditions (e.g., traveling, after surgery).

Contraindications and cautions:

Before taking hydroxyzine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to cetirizine; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, asthma), a certain eye problem (glaucoma), heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, seizures, stomach/intestine problems (e.g., ulcer, blockage), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), problems urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate, bladder blockage).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its effects. This drug can often cause excitement in young children instead of drowsiness.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially drowsiness and confusion.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the last six months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the first three months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

dry mouth, nose, and throat
upset stomach
drowsiness
dizziness
chest congestion
headache
reddening of skin

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

difficulty breathing
muscle weakness
increased anxiety

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

antispasmodics (e.g., atropine, belladonna alkaloids), epinephrine, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., anticholinergics such as benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), scopolamine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, allergy products, sleep medications) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients or other antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (allergy skin tests, urine corticosteroids), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.