Vistaril

Generic name: Hydroxyzine

Usage of Vistaril

Vistaril reduces activity in the central nervous system. It also acts as an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of itching, or hives on the skin.

Vistaril is used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. It is also used together with other medications given during and after general anesthesia.

Vistaril is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Vistaril side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Vistaril: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Vistaril may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have sudden skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes white or yellow pustules, blistering, or peeling.

Stop using Vistaril and call your doctor at once if you have:

fast or pounding heartbeats;

headache with chest pain;

severe dizziness, fainting; or

a seizure (convulsions).

Side effects such as drowsiness and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Common Vistaril side effects may include:

drowsiness;

headache;

dry mouth; or

skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vistaril

You should not use Vistaril if you are allergic to hydroxyzine, or if:

you have long QT syndrome;

you are allergic to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal); or

you are in the first trimester of pregnancy.

You should not use Vistaril if you are pregnant, especially during the first or second trimester. Hydroxyzine could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine.

To make sure Vistaril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

bladder obstruction or other urination problems;

glaucoma;

heart disease, slow heartbeats;

personal or family history of long QT syndrome;

an electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low levels of potassium in your blood);

if you have recently had a heart attack.

It is not known whether hydroxyzine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give Vistaril to a child without medical advice.

How to use Vistaril

Take Vistaril exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Vistaril is for short-term use only.

You should not take Vistaril for longer than 4 months. Call your doctor if your anxiety symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You should not use Vistaril if you are pregnant, especially during the first or second trimester.

Vistaril can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Stop using Vistaril and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as tremors, confusion, seizures, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Vistaril.

What other drugs will affect Vistaril

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking Vistaril with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Vistaril can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with hydroxyzine.

Other drugs may interact with hydroxyzine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.