Hydroxyzine (HCl=Atarax, Pamoate=Vistaril)

Category:

• Antihistamine

Description:

• Antihistamine, sedative/hypnotic, anxiolytic, antiemetic (parenteral)

Indications:

• Anxiety, nausea, vomiting

• Potentiation of narcotic analgesics

• Sedation

• Pruritis

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C (but no excess in birth defects documented); safe during labor for relief of anxiety, no data on breast feeding

• Elderly

• Debilitated, hepatic/renal disease, pregnancy

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: confusion, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, seizures, tremor

• GI: dry mouth

• GU: urinary retention

Dosage:

Administered orally, intramuscularly

• Adult:   PO 10-100mg every 4-6 hours; IM 25-200mg every 4-6 hours

• Child:   PO (>6 years) 50-100mg daily in divided doses; PO (<years) 50 mg/day in divided doses; IM 1.1 mg/kg every 4-6 hours