free information about hydroxyzine

What is the most important information I should know about hydroxyzine?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities free information about hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine may cause dizziness or drowsiness free information about hydroxyzine. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities free information about hydroxyzine.
• Use alcohol cautiously free information about hydroxyzine. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking hydroxyzine free information about hydroxyzine.

What is hydroxyzine?
• Hydroxyzine depresses activity in the central nervous system (brain andspinal cord), which causes relaxation and relief from anxiety free information about hydroxyzine. Therefore, hydroxyzineis used to treat anxiety disorders and tension in stressful situations--beforesurgery, for example free information about hydroxyzine.
• Hydroxyzine may also increase the effects of other medicines, such aspain relievers and sedatives, so it is useful after surgery also free information about hydroxyzine.
• Hydroxyzine is also an antihistamine free information about hydroxyzine. It blocks the effects of the naturallyoccurring chemical histamine in your body free information about hydroxyzine. This makes hydroxyzine useful fortreating allergic conditions, especially those that involve the skin, such ashives, itching, and rashes free information about hydroxyzine.
• Hydroxyzine may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide free information about hydroxyzine.

Who should not take hydroxyzine?
• Before taking hydroxyzine, tell your doctor if you have any other medicalconditions, especially heart, liver, or kidney disease free information about hydroxyzine. You may require a lowerdose or special monitoring during hydroxyzine therapy if you have any othermedical conditions free information about hydroxyzine.
• It is not known whether hydroxyzine will harm an unborn baby free information about hydroxyzine. Do nottake hydroxyzine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant free information about hydroxyzine.
• It is also not known whether hydroxyzine passes into breast milk free information about hydroxyzine. Donot take hydroxyzine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby free information about hydroxyzine.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects from hydroxyzine free information about hydroxyzine. You may require a lower dose of this medication free information about hydroxyzine.

How should I take hydroxyzine?
• Take hydroxyzine exactly as directed by your doctor free information about hydroxyzine. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you free information about hydroxyzine.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water free information about hydroxyzine.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the syrup form of hydroxyzinewith a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon free information about hydroxyzine. Ifyou do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can getone free information about hydroxyzine.
• Store hydroxyzine at room temperature away from moisture and heat free information about hydroxyzine.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember free information about hydroxyzine. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose free information about hydroxyzine. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor free information about hydroxyzine.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention free information about hydroxyzine.
• Symptoms of a hydroxyzine overdose include extreme drowsiness, nausea,vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, and decreased breathing free information about hydroxyzine.

What should I avoid while taking hydroxyzine?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities free information about hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine may cause dizziness or drowsiness free information about hydroxyzine. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities free information about hydroxyzine.
• Use alcohol cautiously free information about hydroxyzine. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking hydroxyzine free information about hydroxyzine.

What are the possible side effects of hydroxyzine?
• Stop taking hydroxyzine and seek emergency medical attention if you experiencean allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swellingof your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) free information about hydroxyzine.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur free information about hydroxyzine. Continueto take hydroxyzine and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or confusion;
· blurred vision or a dry mouth; or
· nausea or vomiting free information about hydroxyzine.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur free information about hydroxyzine. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome free information about hydroxyzine.

What other drugs will affect hydroxyzine?
• Many drugs may increase the effects of hydroxyzine and lead to heavysedation free information about hydroxyzine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are takingany of the following drugs:
· other antihistamines, such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromphen,others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine),clemastine (Tavist), and many others;
· narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MSContin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet,Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine(Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);
· sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal),and secobarbital (Seconal);
· phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or
· antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan),imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine(Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) free information about hydroxyzine.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydroxyzine free information about hydroxyzine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines free information about hydroxyzine.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about hydroxyzine written for healthprofessionals that you may read free information about hydroxyzine.

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