You can use hydroxyzine to treat itches or as a preoperative anxiety reliever before surgery.

The exact mechanism of action of hydroxyzine in the brain is unknown, but experts speculate that it may inhibit activity in some important areas of the central nervous system's subcortical region (which is the part of the brain located below the cerebral cortex).

In addition to skeletal muscle relaxation, hydroxyzine has been shown to have bronchodilator activity (opening of the airways), antihistaminic (relieving allergy symptoms such as itching), antiemetic (relieving nausea and vomiting), and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.

The group of medications known as diphenylmethanes includes hydroxyzine. Another name for it is an antihistamine.

Take this medication by mouth, usually three or four times daily, with or without food, and as prescribed by your doctor. Stay away from alcohol. If this medication makes you drowsy, do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks that require alertness.

Hydroxyzine is available in capsule form as well as an oral suspension. Shake the oral suspension vigorously before using it to ensure proper resuspension of the active ingredient.

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat), or a severe skin reaction; if your heart begins to beat quickly or pounds; if you have a headache accompanied by chest pain, severe dizziness, or seizures.

Before taking hydroxyzine, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, as it may not be safe for you.

Your age, health, and treatment response all factor into the dosage. The dosage for children may also be determined by weight. Do not take this medication in larger amounts or more frequently than recommended.

Let your doctor know if your condition doesn't get better or gets worse.

It is effective in relieving itching caused by allergies or dermatitis (eczema).

It has a calming effect and can cause drowsiness, so it can be used as a premedication before surgery or after surgery.

Some people with anxiety who have not responded to other treatments, such as benzodiazepines, may benefit from the calming effect of hydroxyzine. Has been used to relieve anxiety before and after childbirth, as well as to quickly calm hysterical or acutely disturbed patients.

Off-label use for certain bladder disorders.

It has been used to treat motion sickness as well as nausea and vomiting caused by various etiologies such as surgery.

There are oral capsules, oral suspensions, and injectable products available.

There is generic hydroxyzine available.

Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, or dry mouth are all possible side effects. Inform your doctor or pharmacist right away if any of these effects persist or worsen. Suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute to relieve dry mouth.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you outweighs the risk of side effects.

Many people who take this medication have no serious side effects. Notify your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects, such as restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, shaking (tremor), or difficulty urinating. If you experience any of the following extremely serious side effects, seek medical attention immediately: seizures, fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, and fainting.

Rarely will this medication cause a very serious allergic reaction. However, if you experience any serious allergic reaction symptoms, such as a rash, itching, or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away.

The list of potential negative effects is not exhaustive. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any additional side effects not covered above. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects if you're in the US. You can contact the FDA to report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects if you're in Canada. Call 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects to Health Canada.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies before taking hydroxyzine, including those to cetirizine, levocetirizine, or other substances. Inactive ingredients in this product have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. For more information, consult your pharmacist.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history before taking this medication, especially of: breathing issues (such as emphysema, asthma), high eye pressure (glaucoma), high blood pressure, seizures, stomach/intestine issues (such as ulcer, blockage), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged prostate), and kidney, liver, or kidney problems.

Hydroxyzine has been linked to a heart rhythm disorder (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness and fainting) that require immediate medical attention.

If you take other medications or have certain medical conditions that could increase your risk of QT prolongation, you should consult your doctor. If you have any of the following conditions before taking hydroxyzine: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death), please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Your risk of QT prolongation may also increase if your blood contains too little potassium or magnesium. This risk could rise if you take specific medications (like diuretics or "water pills") or experience symptoms like excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Consult your doctor about the safest way to take hydroxyzine.

This medication may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. You may become dizzy or drowsy if you consume alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can do it safely. Consume no alcoholic beverages. If you use marijuana (cannabis), talk to your doctor.

Inform your doctor or dentist about all of the products you use before having surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children may be more sensitive to the drug's side effects. In young children, this drug can often cause excitement rather than drowsiness. Drowsiness and confusion can both increase the likelihood of falling.

This medication should be used only when clearly necessary during pregnancy. Consult your doctor about the risks and benefits.

It is unknown whether this medication passes into breast milk. Before you start breast-feeding, talk to your doctor.

When combined with hydroxyzine, medications that interact with it either lessen its effect, shorten its duration of action, exacerbate side effects, or have no effect at all. Even though it is not always necessary to stop taking one of the drugs, sometimes there is an interaction between two drugs. Consult your doctor to learn how to handle drug interactions.

Typical drugs with which hydroxyzine may interact are:

• Alzheimer's disease medications, such as donepezil or galantamine
• anticholinergics, such as benztropine or scopolamine
• antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine, clozapine, fluphenazine, thioridazine, risperidone, or trazodone
• medications that can induce drowsiness, such as sleeping pills, first-generation antihistamines, muscle relaxants, most antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications
• nervous system depressants, such as barbiturates
• pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone.

Avoid drinking alcohol because it might make hydroxyzine's side effects worse.

Note that only commonly used drugs that may interact with hydroxyzine are included in this list, which is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive list of interactions involving hydroxyzine, consult the prescribing information.

Call 911 if someone has overdosed and is experiencing serious symptoms such as passing out or difficulty breathing. Otherwise, contact a poison control center immediately. Residents in the United States can contact their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Residents of Canada can contact a provincial poison control center. Overdoes can cause severe drowsiness and seizures. Before drowsiness, children may experience mental/mood changes (such as restlessness or irritability).