What is Atarax used for?
HYDROXYZINE is an antihistamine. This medicine is used for the treatment of allergy symptoms. It is also used to treat anxiety and tension. This medicine can be used in combination with other medicines to induce sleep before surgery.
What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking Atarax?
Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- any chronic illness
- diabetes
- difficulty passing urine
- glaucoma
- heart diseases
- kidney diseases
- liver diseases
- lung diseases
- an unusual or allergic reaction to hydroxyzine, cetirizine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How is Atarax should be taken?
This medicine should be taken orally accompanied with a full glass of water. You may take this medicine with food or on an empty stomach. This medicine should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed.
Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years old for certain conditions, the necessary precautions should be applied.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with others.
What to do if I missed a dose of Atarax?
If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.
What are the possible interactions of Atarax with the other medicine/food/etc?
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines for sleep or seizures
- medicines for colds, allergies
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or emotional disturbances
- medicines for pain
- medicines for sleep
- muscle relaxants
This list is not all-inclusive. Provide your health care provider with a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you use. Also tell them whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.
Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking Atarax?
Let your doctor or health care professional know if there is no improvement to your symptoms.
You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol may cause interference with this medicine’s effect. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.
Your might experience dry mouth symptom. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking a sugar candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medicine might sometimes cause blurred vision and dry eyes. If you are a contact lense user, it is possible that you feel some discomfort during the treatment course. In that case use the lubricating drops to remedy the issue. Refer to your ophthalmologist if the problem does not disappear or the symptoms are severe.
If you are undergoing skin tests for allergies, let your doctor know that you are using this medicine.
Does Atarax have any possible side effects?
The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:
- difficulty passing urine
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- seizures
- slurred speech or confusion
- tremor
The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):
- constipation
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- headache
- stomach upset
Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.
Where should I keep Atarax?
Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.
This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze it. Protect it from the light. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.