Hydroxyzine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine; antianxiety

Generic and brand names: hydroxyzine hydrochloride, oral; hydroxyzine pamoate, oral; hydroxyzine, oral; Anxanil; Atarax; Vistaril

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to control anxiety in treatment of emotional and nervous disorders.

This medicine is also an antihistamine used to relieve itching caused by allergic reactions. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine
• bladder or prostate problems
• glaucoma
• lung disease such as asthma or COPD
• sleep apnea (periods of not breathing while sleeping)
• ulcers.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more of it or take it longer than directed. Do not miss doses.

If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may affect the results of skin tests. If you are having skin tests for allergies, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take depressant drugs unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may make your mouth dry. Contact your healthcare provider if it continues or gets worse.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trouble breathing, trouble urinating, seizures (very rare).

Other: Mild drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nervousness, blurred vision.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antianxiety medicines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
• antidepressants such as trazodone (Desyrel), amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and clemastine (Tavist)
• herbal remedies such as valerian, St. John's wort, kava, gotu kola
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• muscle relaxants such as tizanidine (Zanaflex), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), methocarbamol (Robaxin), dantrolene Dantrium), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), and morphine
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), butabarbital (Butisol), and zaleplon (Sonata).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.