Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine used to treat itching from conditions like hives and eczema. It is also used to treat anxiety and as premedication for dental procedures. It works by blocking histamine receptors. Atarax tablets come in 10mg or 25mg doses and should be stored at room temperature between 15-30 degrees Celsius. Common side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness. Atarax can interact with other CNS depressants and its use requires caution in certain conditions.

1. Atarax Hydroxyzine HCl Tablets
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Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Tablets) belongs to a
group of medicines called antihistamines and is used in adults
and children to reduce itching caused by urticaria (nettle rash)
and dermatitis (eczema). Atarax is also used to treat anxiety
and tension as in the preparation for dental procedures and in
acute emotional problems in adults. This medicine is also
used as adjunctive therapy in alcoholism and allergic
conditions with strong emotional overlay, such as in asthma.

2. Atarax Tablets
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Atarax Tablets are manufactured by
UCB India Pvt. Ltd. (Division of UCB
Belgium).
(Website: www.ucb.com)

3. Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Tablets – Brand
Names
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Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride tablets are
available as Atarax, Vistaril, A-Rex,
Adzin, Atamax and Hydroze.

4. Active Ingredient
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The active ingredient contained in Atarax
tablets is Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride. Each
Atarax tablet for oral administration contains
10 mg or 25 mg of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride.

5. Chemical Structure
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The structure of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride
is given below:

6. Uses of Atarax Tablets
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Atarax Tablets (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride) is
used for symptomatic relief of anxiety and
tension associated with psychoneurosis and as
an adjunct in organic disease states in which
anxiety is manifested.
This medicine is also useful in the treatment of
pruritus due to allergic conditions such as
chronic urticaria and atopic and contact
dermatoses, and in histamine-mediated
pruritus.
It can also be used as a a sedative when used
as premedication and following general
anesthesia in some patients.

7. Storage Instructions
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Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride
tablets) have to be stored at controlled
room temperature i.e. from 20°C to 25°C
(68°F to 77°F) with excursions permitted
between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).
Keep this as well as all other medicines
away from children and pets.

8. Warnings
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Hydroxyzine has been associated with prolongation of the
QT interval on the electrocardiogram. During post-
marketing surveillance, there have been cases of QT
interval prolongation and torsade de pointes in patients
taking Hydroxyzine.
Due to its sedative properties, use of Hydroxyzine tablets
must be avoided in severe liver disease due to an
increased risk of coma, and in patients with hepatic failure
due to possibility of hepatic encephalopathy.
Atarax should be used with caution in patients with impaired
renal function. It is uncertain whether the drug may
accumulate or have other adverse effects in such patients.
Hydroxyzine is not recommended in elderly patients
because of a decrease of Hydroxyzine elimination in this
population as compared to adults and the greater risk of
adverse reactions (e.g. anticholinergic effects)

9. Warnings
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Because of its potential antimuscarinic actions, Atarax
should be used with caution in patients suffering from
angle-closure glaucoma, urinary retention, prostatic
hyperplasia, or pyroduodenal obstruction.
Caution is required in patients suffering the following
conditions: seizure disorders including epilepsy,
myasthenia gravis, dementia, decreased GI motility,
bladder outflow obstruction, stenosing peptic ulcer,
patients with breathing problems (e.g. emphysema,
chronic bronchitis), increased intraocular pressure,
hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, hypertension.
Dosage adjustments may be necessary in case Atarax
tablets are used simultaneously with other CNS
depressants or with drugs having antimuscarinic
properties.

10. Warnings
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The concomitant use of alcohol and
Hydroxyzine tablets must be avoided.
Treatment with this medicine should be
stopped for one week before skin testing for
allergy is undertaken, and for 96 hours prior
to a methocholine test.
Children and the elderly are more susceptible
to side-effects.
Patients should be warned of impaired
judgement and dexterity during treatment with
this medicine.

11. Atarax Dosage
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➢For symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension
associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in
organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested:
Adults, 50 mg to 100 mg in divided doses; children
under 6 years, 50 mg daily in divided doses; children
over 6 years, 50 mg to 100 mg daily in divided doses.
➢For use in the management of pruritus due to allergic
conditions such as chronic urticaria and atopic and
contact dermatoses and in histamine-mediated
pruritus: Adults, Starting dose of 25mg at night
increasing as necessary to 25mg three or four times
daily.
The dosage of Atarax tablets (Hydroxyzine
Hydrochloride Tablets) is given below:

12. Hydroxyzine Tablets Dosage
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➢For the treatment of pruritus in the elderly, the
maximum daily dose is 50 mg per day.
➢For the treatment of pruritus in children and
adolescents over 40 kg in weight the maximum
daily dose is 100mg per day.
The dosage of Atarax (Hydroxyzine
Hydrochloride Tablets) is given below:

13. Atarax Tablets
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Contraindications
Atarax is contraindicated in patients with a
hypersensitivity to Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride,
Cetirizine, other piperazine derivatives,
Aminophylline or Ethylenediamine, or any other
component of this medication.
Hydroxyzine tablets are contraindicated in
patients with a prolonged QT interval. It is also
contraindicated in asthmatics who have
previously experienced a serious anti-
histamine induced adverse bronchopulmonary
effect and patients with Porphyria. It is also
contraindicated during Pregnancy.

14. Atarax Side Effects
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➢Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride tablets) side effects can
include the following:
➢ Anticholinergic: Dry mouth.
➢Central Nervous System: Drowsiness is usually transitory
and may disappear in a few days of continued therapy or
upon reduction of dose. Involuntary motor activity including
rare instances of tremor and convulsions have been reported,
usually with doses considerably higher than those
recommended.
➢Cardiac System: QT prolongation, Torsade de Pointes.
➢During post-marketing experience, the following additional
undesirable effects have been reported: allergic reaction,
headache, hallucination. Oral hydroxyzine hydrochloride is
associated with Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis
(AGEP) and fixed drug eruptions in post-marketing
reports.Pruritis, rash, urticaria.

15. Atarax Overdose
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The most common symptom of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride
tablets (Atarax) overdosage is hypersedation. Other
reported signs and symptoms were convulsions, stupor,
nausea and vomiting. As in the management of overdosage
with any drug, it should be borne in mind that multiple
substances may have been taken.
In case vomiting has not occurred spontaneously, it should
be induced. Immediate gastric lavage is also recommended.
General supportive care, including frequent monitoring of
the vital signs and close observation of the patient, is
indicated. Hypotension, though unlikely, may be controlled
with intravenous fluids and levarterenol or metaraminol.
Do not use epinephrine as Hydroxyzine counteracts its
pressor action.
Hydroxyzine overdose may cause QT prolongation and
Torsade de Pointes. ECG monitoring is recommended in
cases of Atarax overdose.

16. Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Tablets Overdose
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There is no specific antidote.
It is doubtful that hemodialysis would be of
any value in the treatment of overdosage
with Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Tablets.
However, in case other agents such as
barbiturates have been ingested
concomitantly, hemodialysis may be
indicated.
There is no practical method to quantitate
Hydroxyzine in body fluids or tissue after its
ingestion or administration.

17. Hydroxyzine During Pregnancy
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Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride (Atarax
Tablets) has been classified by the US
FDA as Pregnancy Category C.
Atarax should not be used during
pregnancy.
The use of sedating antihistamines in the
latter part of the third trimester may cause
adverse effects in neonates such as
irritability, paradoxical excitability, and
tremor.

18. Atarax Tablets
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Atarax Tablets click here
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Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride
tablets) by UCB India Pvt. Ltd. (Division
of UCB Belgium).