How to take Hydroxyzine (Atarax)?
Take Hydroxyzine tablet with a glass of water with or without food as per your doctor's advice. Your dosage will be decided upon your medical condition and your response to the medication. For children, dosage is calculated according to the weight.

Take Hydroxyzineexactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.

Hydroxyzine should not be taken for longer than 4 months as it is a short term treatment. You need to inform your doctor if your anxiety problems do not improve or it gets worse.

If you are taking the suspension (liquid form) you need to have a special medicine spoon to measure the dose in order to get the accurate dosage. Do not use a household spoon as it will not be the accurate dosage.

Precautions
Prior to taking Hydroxyzine inform your doctor if you have

• any allergies to Hydroxyzine  or to cetirizine or levocetirizine or any other allergies
• high blood pressure
• breathing problems (asthma, emphysema)
• kidney problems
• overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid)
• liver problems
• seizures
• stomach/intestine problems (blockage or ulcer)
• enlarge prostate

Hydroxyzine may cause QT prolongation which affects the heart rhythm.

Risk of QT prolongation will be increased by low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood. This risk may increase if you are taking certain drugs such as diuretics or certain conditions like diarrhea, sweating and vomiting. Discuss with your doctor how to use Hydroxyzine safely and effectively.

Hydroxyzine may make you dizzy, confused or disoriented. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely.  Understand how this medication affects you.  Do not take any alcoholic beverages.

If you are having surgery prior to your surgery, inform your doctor or the dentist of all the products (prescription, non- prescription medications, herbal products, vitamin and supplements) you are taking.

If you have liver disease, diabetes other condition which requires to limit your sugar or avoid these substances in your diet caution is advised as it may contain sugar and/or alcohol if you are taking the liquid products.

Excitement is more often seen in children instead of drowsiness among those who are taking this medication. Children may be more sensitive to side effects of this medication.
Older adult patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. They may experience

• drowsiness
• constipation
• QT prolongation
• confusion
• trouble urinating

Older adults have a higher risk of falling due to drowsiness and confusion.

If you are pregnant you must take Hydroxyzine only if it's absolutely necessary. Discuss with your doctor the risks and the benefits involved.

Nursing mothers must discuss with the doctor if it is safe to feed the baby while taking Hydroxyzine.

Side Effects
Your doctor prescribed this medicine after carefully analyzing the benefits over the risks involved. Most people do not experience any serious side effects.

• dizziness
• dry mouth
• drowsiness
• blurred vision
• constipation

Chew (sugarless) gum, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, drink water or use a saliva substitute to relive dry mouth.

A serious allergy reaction is extremely rare with Hydroxyzine. In case you show the following symptoms get advice from your doctor immediately.

• hallucinations
• seizures
• shaking (tremors)
• difficulty urinating
• restlessness
• confusion
• fast/irregular heartbeat
• severe dizziness
• fainting

A serious allergy reaction is extremely rare with Hydroxyzine. In case you show the following symptoms get to the emergency clinic

• itching
• dizziness
• trouble breathing
• swelling in the face, throat, tongue, throat
• rash  - itching

Interaction
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.  Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.

Some of the medications which cause drowsiness may interact with Hydroxyzine is

• alcohol
• pain relievers – (opioid)
• cough relievers  – (codein, hydrocodone)
• marijuana
• drugs for anxiety – (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem)
• antihistamines –  (diphenhydramine, promethazine)
• muscle relaxants – (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine)
•  

If you are taking any cough and cold medications or allergy medicine read the labels to ensure that those medications do not contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.

Any other antihistamines applied to the skin (diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray) should not be used with Hydroxyzine as it may increase the side effects.

Should not be used with cetirizine and levocetirizine as hydroroxyzine I very similar to those.

If you are doing laboratory tests for urine protein inform your laboratory personnel that you are taking this medication as it may interfere with the test.