Atarax (Hydroxyzine)

Atarax is used for treating anxiety, for sedation before and after general anesthesia, and to treat itching due to certain allergic conditions, including hives and contact dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy). It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Atarax is an antihistamine. It works by affecting the brain to reduce anxiety. It also has other activities, including opening breathing tubes, relieving pain or allergy symptoms, and preventing or treating nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness.

Do not use Atarax if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atarax;
• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB);
• you are in your first 3 months of pregnancy.

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have asthma, glaucoma, difficulty urinating, urinary or intestinal blockage, a prostate disease, or a blood disease
• if you drink alcoholic beverages

• Sodium oxybate (GHB) because side effects such as an increase in sleep duration and slowed breathing may occur

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Drowsiness; dry mouth.

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); involuntary movements.

Atarax may cause drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atarax with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Avoid drinking alcohol or using medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Atarax ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

The effectiveness of Atarax as anxiety treatment for longer than 4 months is not known.

Use Atarax with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Atarax should not be used in NEWBORNS; safety and effectiveness in newborns have not been confirmed.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Atarax if you are in your first 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Atarax is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Atarax .