About Atarax 25 Tablet
Atarax 25 Tablet contains Hydroxyzine 25 mg. Hydroxyzine is a sedating antihistamine. It is used for short-term relief of anxiety and to relieve itching caused by allergic skin conditions such as hives and eczema. It often causes drowsiness.
Uses of Atarax 25 Tablet
- Short-term relief of anxiety
- Itching due to allergic skin conditions, such as hives (urticaria) and dermatitis
- Calming before some medical procedures, as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In anxiety
It has a calming effect that can ease anxiety for a short time.
In itchy skin
It blocks histamine, reducing itching, which can help you sleep and stop scratching.
Side effects
Drowsiness is common, especially at the start. Older people are more sensitive to side effects.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
Get medical help if you notice
- Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, or fainting — seek medical help straight away
- Red, swollen skin with many small pus-filled spots and fever — stop and contact your doctor
- Fits (seizures), confusion or hallucinations — seek medical help
- Difficulty passing urine — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, for the shortest time needed. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food.
How it works
It blocks histamine, which reduces itching, and acts on parts of the brain to cause a calming, sedating effect.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It greatly increases drowsiness.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It should not be used in pregnancy, especially early pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
It is not recommended while breastfeeding. Ask your doctor for another option.
Driving Caution
It often causes drowsiness and slows reactions. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may lower the dose if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may lower the dose if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember if you still need it. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Avoid alcohol and other sleep-causing medicines.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems or low potassium or magnesium.
- It is not usually recommended for older people because of side effects.
- Use it only for the short time your doctor advises.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Piperazine derivative (diphenylmethylpiperazine)
- Therapeutic class
- Neuro-psychiatry / anti-allergy
- Action class
- Sedating H1 antihistamine (anxiolytic)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as some antibiotics, antiarrhythmics and antipsychotics | Higher risk of a dangerous irregular heartbeat; avoid together |
| Alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives and opioid painkillers | Greatly increase drowsiness |
| Medicines with anticholinergic effects (some antidepressants, bladder medicines) | Adds to dry mouth, constipation and urine problems |
| MAO inhibitors | May increase side effects |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Hydroxyzine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: hydroxyzine hydrochloride; EMA 2015 review of hydroxyzine heart rhythm risk). Pharmacist review pending.