{"id":257,"date":"2025-11-04T06:58:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T06:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/?post_type=product&#038;p=257"},"modified":"2025-11-10T13:02:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:02:01","slug":"atarax","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/product\/atarax\/","title":{"rendered":"Atarax"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100\">Atarax (Hydroxyzine) Overview<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Generic Name:<\/strong> Hydroxyzine<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Brand Names:<\/strong> Vistaril, Atarax<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Drug Class:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/product\/periactin\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"29\" title=\"Periactin\">Antihistamine<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How Hydroxyzine Works<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Hydroxyzine blocks H1 receptors in your body\u2014these are the receptors that histamine latches onto during allergic reactions. Block the receptors, stop the allergic symptoms. Simple enough.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">It also has <a href=\"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/product\/phenergan\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"82\" title=\"Phenergan\">sedative<\/a> properties because it affects your central nervous system. This is why people feel drowsy on it, and why doctors sometimes use it for anxiety rather than just allergies.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">What It&#8217;s Used For<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Doctors commonly prescribe hydroxyzine for:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-2.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Anxiety and tension (particularly associated with psychoneurosis)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Sedation before medical procedures<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Itching (pruritus) from allergic conditions\u2014eczema, hives, that sort of thing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The antihistamine bit handles the itching; the sedative bit handles the anxiety.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How to Take Hydroxyzine<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Routes:<\/strong> You can take it orally (tablets or syrup) or get it as an intramuscular injection. The injection is usually reserved for hospital settings or when someone can&#8217;t take oral medication.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Standard Dosage:<\/strong> Adults typically get 25 to 100 mg daily, depending on what&#8217;s being treated and how severe it is. Children&#8217;s doses are calculated based on body weight and the specific condition\u2014your doctor will work this out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Adjustments:<\/strong> Elderly patients or people with liver or kidney problems usually need lower doses. Doctors typically adjust in small increments to minimise side effects, which makes sense but means it takes longer to find the right dose.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">What Happens in Your Body<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Absorption:<\/strong> Hydroxyzine gets absorbed rapidly from your gut after you swallow it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Metabolism:<\/strong> Your liver breaks it down into cetirizine\u2014yes, the same cetirizine that&#8217;s in common allergy tablets like Zyrtec. Cetirizine is a less potent H1 antagonist, which is why it doesn&#8217;t make you as drowsy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Half-life:<\/strong> About 20 to 25 hours in healthy adults. This is quite long, actually\u2014means you don&#8217;t need to dose it multiple times a day for most uses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Excretion:<\/strong> The metabolites leave your body primarily through urine. A smaller amount exits via faeces.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Common Atarax Side Effects<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Most people experience:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-2.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Drowsiness (this is basically guaranteed)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Dry mouth<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Dizziness<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Headache<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The drowsiness can be pretty significant\u2014don&#8217;t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. I know everyone says this, but with hydroxyzine it&#8217;s genuinely a problem.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Serious Side Effects (Rare)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Less common but more concerning reactions include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-2.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Confusion<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Hallucinations<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Seizures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">These need immediate medical attention. Stop taking it and contact your doctor straight away.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Allergic Reactions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Hydroxyzine can cause allergic reactions\u2014which is ironic for an antihistamine, but there you go. Anaphylaxis is rare but possible. Signs include difficulty breathing, severe rash, swelling of face or throat. This requires emergency treatment.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Drug Interactions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Hydroxyzine doesn&#8217;t play well with other central nervous system depressants:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-2.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Alcohol (the sedation stacks\u2014not in a good way)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Benzodiazepines<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Opioids<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Other antihistamines<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Sleep medications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Combining these increases sedation significantly and can lead to respiratory depression in severe cases. Tell your doctor about everything you&#8217;re taking, including over-the-counter sleep aids.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Special Populations<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Pregnancy:<\/strong> Category C in the old classification system. Animal studies showed problems, human data is limited. Use it during pregnancy only if benefits outweigh risks\u2014and honestly, there are usually safer alternatives for anxiety or itching during pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Breastfeeding:<\/strong> It probably passes into breast milk. You need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop the medication, depending on how necessary it is for you. Discuss this with your doctor\u2014they should help you weigh the options.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Children:<\/strong> Safety and efficacy haven&#8217;t been established for infants under 6 months. For older children, it&#8217;s generally considered safe but dosing needs to be precise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Elderly:<\/strong> Start at the lower end of the dosing range. Older patients are more susceptible to side effects, particularly sedation and confusion. Falls are a real concern\u2014the drowsiness can throw off balance in people who are already unsteady.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Monitoring During Treatment<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Liver Function:<\/strong> If you&#8217;re on hydroxyzine long-term, your doctor should check liver function tests periodically. The liver does all the metabolising, so it&#8217;s worth keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Renal Function:<\/strong> Monitoring kidney function is recommended because that&#8217;s how the drug leaves your body. If your kidneys aren&#8217;t working properly, the medication can accumulate and cause problems.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Most people don&#8217;t need extensive monitoring for short-term use\u2014this is mainly for people taking it for months.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Off-Label Use for Sleep<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Doctors sometimes prescribe hydroxyzine off-label as a sleep aid, particularly for people with:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-2.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Insomnia related to anxiety<\/strong> (this makes sense given its sedative properties)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Difficulty staying asleep<\/strong> (the long half-life helps maintain sleep through the night)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Sleep problems when other medications have failed or aren&#8217;t appropriate<\/strong> (benzodiazepines carry addiction risk; hydroxyzine doesn&#8217;t)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Typical sleep dosing ranges from 25 to 50 mg taken 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Some people need more, some need less.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The advantage over prescription sleep medications: it&#8217;s not habit-forming. You don&#8217;t develop tolerance or dependence the way you do with benzodiazepines or Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone).<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The disadvantage: the drowsiness carries over into the next day for some people. You might wake up feeling groggy or &#8220;hungover&#8221; from it. This seems to be dose-dependent and varies person to person\u2014some people feel fine, others feel like rubbish until mid-morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">There&#8217;s not extensive research on long-term use for sleep specifically, but it&#8217;s been around for decades and doctors have enough clinical experience with it to feel reasonably comfortable prescribing it this way.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Storage and Handling<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Storage:<\/strong> Keep hydroxyzine at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Don&#8217;t store it in the bathroom\u2014the humidity degrades medication over time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Keep it out of reach of children and pets. The sedative effects could be dangerous if a child accidentally takes it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Handling for Healthcare Providers:<\/strong> Follow standard safety protocols to prevent accidental ingestion or contact. Nothing special beyond normal pharmaceutical handling procedures.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Disposal<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Unused or Expired Medication:<\/strong> Dispose of it according to local regulations. Generally, don&#8217;t flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed\u2014environmental concerns and all that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Pharmacy Take-Back Programmes:<\/strong> Many pharmacies run take-back programmes for safe medication disposal. Check with your local pharmacy; it&#8217;s easier than trying to work out local regulations yourself.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-300 my-2\" \/>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>This information doesn&#8217;t replace medical advice from your doctor<\/strong>\u2014if you have questions about whether hydroxyzine is right for you, or if you&#8217;re experiencing side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Also, if you&#8217;re taking it for sleep and it&#8217;s not working or you&#8217;re getting significant next-day drowsiness, mention this at your next appointment. There might be better options.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Atarax is a medication with the active ingredient hydroxyzine. It is also known by other names like Vistaril. Atarax is mainly used to treat anxiety, nausea, and itching caused by allergies. It helps to calm the brain and has a mild sedative effect.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100\">Hydroxyzine (Atarax) Price<\/h2>\n<p>The Atarax price is approximately \u00a30.29 &#8211; \u00a30.52 per pill. Depending on the size of the pack and the number of tablets inside (60 or 360 mg).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[251],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-257","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-anxiety","7":"pa_active-ingredient-hydroxyzine","8":"desktop-align-left","9":"tablet-align-left","10":"mobile-align-left","12":"first","13":"instock","14":"shipping-taxable","15":"product-type-external"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=257"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=257"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=257"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bannviewmedicalpractice.co.uk\/pharmacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}