About Atarax

Atarax - or hydroxyzine hydrochloride - is a prescriptive medication belonging to the group of antihistamine drugs. Atarax is prescribed to diminish the effects of histamine - a substance which is responsible for narrowing air passages in the lungs and inducing inflammations.

Uses or Indications

As an antihistamine, Atarax is applied to relieve the tension and anxiety provoked by psychoneurosis. The medication also acts as a sedative applied either before or after the general anesthesia. Moreover, the medication can treat such allergic symptoms as swelling, itching and dry up secretions from the eyes, nose and throat.
Long-term usage of Atarax (4 months and more) isn`t recommended. The prescription should be re-evaluated on a regular basis.

How Taken

Follow the prescription of your doctor while taking Atarax. Alternatively, use the drug description that comes with the medicine is instructional on its dosage levels.

Side Effects

The most widespread side effect taking Atarax is drowsiness. Usually it is temporary and disappears in a short time or when dosage is diminished or ended. Other side effects are muscle convulsions, twitches and dry mouth. Most often they are caused by higher doses of Atarax.

Drug Precautions

• Atarax effects on pregnancy have not been properly tested in humans. However, Birth defects were detected in animals when Atarax was applied. That is why one should avoid Atarax in early pregnancy. If you are pregnant or plan to be one, discuss it with your doctor beforehand.
• Tests proved that Atarax may appear in breast milk and, consequently, is likely to affect a breastfed infant. Once Atarax is completely indispensable for health maintenance, the doctor will prescribe discontinuing breastfeeding.
• If the patient mixes Atarax with barbiturates, narcotics or non-narcotic analgesics, the dosage should be minimized, as Atarax intensifies the effects of these drugs to depress the central nervous system.
• Atarax may lead to drowsiness. Participating in any activity that requires full alertness, like driving or operating heavy machinery, isn`t recommended.

Drug Interactions

1. Studies showed that Atarax may aggravate the effect of alcohol. That is why the patient should give up alcohol while taking Atarax.
2. Check with your doctor before mixing Atarax with the medications given below:
- Narcotic painkillers (oxycodone, morphine etc);
- Non-narcotic painkillers, for example, ibuprofen and acetaminophen;
- Barbiturates, like phenobarbital and secobarbital.

Missed Dose

Take the dose you occasionally missed as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the one you missed and resume your regular dosage schedule. It isn`t recommended to double dose to catch the missed one.

Overdosage

The most common symptom of Atarax overdose is excessive calm as your blood pressure may drop. Any medication taken in excess can lead to serious health problems. Get immediate medical assistance if you suspect an overdose of Atarax.

Storage

Store Atarax tablets and syrup at room temperatures and away from heat, light and moisture. Make sure the syrup can`t freeze.