What is most important to remember? If you have questions: Strong Internal Medicine • Use this medicine as directed by your doctor Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for more information about hydroxyzine • Do not start any new medicines, (Atarax® or Vistaril®) over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies without talking to your doctor
• Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists that you are using hydroxyzine (Atarax® or Vistaril®)
• Call your doctor if your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse Strong Internal Medicine • This medicine may cause you to 601 Elmwood Avenue th be sleepy or dizzy, so use caution Ambulatory Care Facility, 5 Floor Rochester, NY 14642 in activities that require you to be Phone: (585) 275 -7424 alert Hydroxyzine Visit our website at: (Atarax® or Vistaril®): www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/ - general-medicine/patientcare/ Important Patient Information
What does hydroxyzine (Atarax® or Vistaril®) Are there any interactions with other drugs What are some things that I need to be aware do? that I need to worry about? of when taking hydroxyzine (Atarax® or • It is an antihistamine. Used to treat itching • There are many drug interactions that may Vistaril®)? caused by allergies and control the nausea increase your risk of side effects • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not and vomiting caused by a number of • Do not start new prescriptions, over-the- drive or do other activities that call for you to conditions, including motion sickness be alert until you know how this medicine counter medicines, or herbal and dietary • It also can be used to treat anxiety or tension supplements without telling your doctor affects you.
• This medication may impair your thinking or How should hydroxyzine (Atarax® or What should I do if I forget to take Vistaril®) be used? hydroxyzine (Atarax® or Vistaril®)? reaction time
• Take this medicine as directed by your doctor • Many times this drug is taken on an as • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine (this includes beer and wine). It • Take with or without food. If it causes an needed basis can increase some of the side effects of the upset stomach take with food • Take a missed dose as soon as you think medicine about it Who should know I am taking hydroxyzine • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to (Atarax® or Vistaril®)? • If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the become pregnant during treatment, or if you • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, missed dose and go back to your normal are breastfeeding dose time natural products, supplements, vitamins, • If you have asthma, glaucoma, ulcers, over-the-counter) and give it to your • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra seizures, or trouble passing urine, talk with healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse doses to make up for a missed dose your doctor before taking this medicine practitioner, pharmacist, or physician assistant) • Share with your doctor your complete medical history before starting this medicine
• Older adults (>65 years old) may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness and confusion If you have any of the following side effects, call your doctor or visit the emergency room What side effects could occur with immediately: hydroxyzine (Atarax® or Vistaril®)? • Very nervous or excitable • Any sign of a severe allergic reaction • Feeling sleepy or dizzy • Trouble passing urine including, itching, rash, severe • Dry mouth, nose, throat dizziness, trouble breathing, swelling • Muscle weakness of face, lips, tongue, or throat • Headache, upset stomach • Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, change in balance, trouble swallowing or speaking