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Introduction About ATARAX INJECTION
ATARAX INJECTION contains Hydroxyzine which belongs to the group of medicines called Antihistamines. It is used to manage allergic reactions (itching, sneezing), for anxiety and tension as well as for sedation (for inducing sleep in medical conditions and after anesthesia).
Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to some foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever and while others may be allergic to pollen or pet dander. Anxiety is a sense of uneasiness, dread, and fear. It might cause feel restless, tense, sweat, and have a rapid heartbeat. It may be a usual response to stress.
ATARAX INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients having porphyria, heart problems, and low salt levels in the body. Before receiving ATARAX INJECTION, inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney, or mental health problems.
ATARAX INJECTION is not recommended to use among pregnant and breastfeeding women. Your doctor will administer the right dose depending on your child’s age, body weight and health condition.
The most common side effects of receiving ATARAX INJECTION are feeling sleepy, dry mouth, feeling tired, drowsiness, and headache. Contact your doctor if any of the above side effects worsen or persist for a longer duration.
Uses Of ATARAX INJECTION
It is used to manage:
- allergic reactions
- itching due to urticaria (nettle rash) and dermatitis
- anxiety
How ATARAX INJECTION Works
ATARAX INJECTION works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger (histamine). This relieves allergy indications such as itching, swelling, and rashes. In anxiety, it works by decreasing the activity in the brain, thereby helping to feel relaxed or sleepy.
How to use ATARAX INJECTION
ATARAX INJECTION will be administered to you intramuscularly only by a doctor or a nurse. Your doctor will administer the correct dose for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Side Effects Of ATARAX INJECTION
Common
- injection site reactions
- feeling sleepy
- dry mouth
- tiredness
- headache
Uncommon
- agitation
- confusion
- sleeplessness
- tremors
- nausea
- fever
Rare
- hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), disorientation
- low blood pressure
- constipation
- vomiting
- changes in values of the enzyme in liver
- skin inflammation, skin rash with redness, blemishes, or spots, itching
Stop receiving ATARAX INJECTION and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- problems with the heart rhythm such as trouble breathing, palpitations, or loss of consciousness
- an allergic reaction with difficulty in breathing, fever, or swelling
- severe allergic reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) (symptoms like fever, inflammation, blistering, and ulceration of the skin which can result in the surface layer of the skin peeling away)
- fits (convulsions)
- faster heartbeat
- chest tightening and difficulty breathing
- blurred vision and have difficulty focusing
- an inability to pass urine
How To Manage Side Effects
Nausea or Vomiting:
Take this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil-rich or spicy foods.
Headache:
Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Do not consume alcohol. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
Dizziness:
If you feel dizzy, keep your eyes closed sit or lie down. Do not drive or operate machinery. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy
ATARAX INJECTION is generally not recommended to use in pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.

Breastfeeding
ATARAX INJECTION is generally not recommended to use in breastfeeding women as it may pass through breast milk. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.

Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel drowsy and feel less alert than usual after receiving ATARAX INJECTION.

Alcohol
Avoid consumption of alcohol while receiving ATARAX INJECTION as it may increase the risk of side effects.

Kidney
ATARAX INJECTION should be taken with caution in patients with kidney problems and bladder outflow obstruction. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.

Liver
ATARAX INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.

Allergy
Do not receive ATARAX INJECTION if you are allergic to Hydroxyzine or cetirizine, any other piperazine derivatives, aminophylline, ethylenediamine, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Lungs
ATARAX INJECTION should be taken with caution in patients with breathing problems. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.

Heart Disease
ATARAX INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with heart problems or high blood pressure. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.
Others
ATARAX INJECTION is not recommended for use if you:
- have asthma
- have suffered a bad reaction to an antihistamine in the past
- have porphyria (a disease that causes constipation, changes in the colour of urine, stomach pain, skin rashes, and disturbing behaviour)
Before receiving ATARAX INJECTION, inform your doctor if you:
- have glaucoma (pressure in the eye is increased)
- have difficulty passing urine (Ex. due to an enlarged prostate)
- have stomach problems
- have myasthenia gravis (a disorder which weakens muscles)
- have dementia
- have epilepsy (fits)
- have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Use in pediatrics:
Your doctor will administer the right dose depending on your child’s age, body weight and health condition. Consult your doctor before receiving ATARAX INJECTION.
Use in geriatrics:
ATARAX INJECTION should be used with caution in elderly patients. Consult your doctor before receiving the medicine.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before receiving ATARAX INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:
- medicines used to manage heart problems or high blood pressure (Ex. adrenaline or epinephrine, amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide, sotalol)
- medicine used to manage sleeping disorders and epilepsy (Ex. barbiturates)
- medicine used to manage ulcers and heartburn (Ex. cimetidine)
- medicine used to manage vomiting and nausea (Ex. antiemetics)
- medicine used to manage Meniere’s disease (Ex. betahistine)
- medicines used as anesthetics
- medicine used as muscle relaxants
- medicine used to manage severe pain (Ex. opioids, methadone)
- medicine used as anticholinergic (including some medicines used for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, or incontinence) (Ex. prucalopride)
- medicine used to manage breathing problems (Ex. aminophylline)
- medicine used to manage bacterial infections (Ex. benzylpenicillin salts and chloramphenicol sodium succinate, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin)
- medicine used for the chemotherapy (Ex. doxorubicin)
- medicine used as antidepressants (Ex. moclobemide or isocarboxazid, citalopram, escitalopram, amitriptyline)
- medicines used to manage anxiety (Ex. alprazolam)
- medicines used to manage psychosis (Ex. haloperidol)
- medicine used as antimuscarinic (Ex. atropine)
- other medicines used as antihistamines (Ex. azelastine, chlorpheniramine)
- medicines used for fungal infections (Ex. pentamidine)
- medicines used to manage malaria (Ex. mefloquine)
- medicines used to manage cancer (Ex. toremifene, vandetanib)
Overdosage:
It is unlikely to receive overdose since it will be administered by the doctor or nurse. If you experience any unusual side effects, consult your doctor immediately.
Synopsis
Drug | : | Hydroxyzine |
Pharmacological Category | : | Antihistamines |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Manages anxiety and skin conditions (inflammation and itching) |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Syrup, Drops, Injection, Oral drops, Oral solution, Solution |
More Information
- Keep ATARAX INJECTION out of reach of children
- Store at a temperature, not more than 25°C
FAQs About ATARAX INJECTION
What for ATARAX INJECTION is used?
ATARAX INJECTION is used to manage allergic reactions and to reduce itching caused by urticaria (nettle rash) and dermatitis (eczema) and used to manage anxiety in adults.
How does ATARAX INJECTION work?
ATARAX INJECTION works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger (histamine). This relieves allergy indications such as itching, swelling, and rashes. In anxiety, it works by decreasing the activity in the brain, thereby helping to feel relaxed/sleepy.
How to take ATARAX INJECTION?
ATARAX INJECTION will be administered to you intramuscularly only by a doctor or a nurse. Your doctor will administer the correct dose for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
What happens if I take more of ATARAX INJECTION?
It is unlikely to receive overdose since it will be administered by the doctor or nurse. If you experience any unusual side effects, consult your doctor immediately.
Can I stop receiving ATARAX INJECTION when I feel better?
No, do not stop receiving ATARAX INJECTION without consulting your doctor even if you are feeling better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is completely managed. Therefore, for better and complete management, it is advised to continue your management for the prescribed duration.
Is ATARAX INJECTION cause dizziness?
Dizziness is the most common side effect of ATARAX INJECTION. Try to rest and relax. Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel drowsy and feel less alert than usual after receiving ATARAX INJECTION. If your symptom worsens, consult your doctor.
Can ATARAX INJECTION be used in pregnant women?
ATARAX INJECTION is generally not recommended to use among pregnant women unless considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before receiving ATARAX INJECTION.
References
1. Randal A. Skidgel. Histamine, Bradykinin, and Their Antagonists. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological basics of Therapeutics. 13th Edition. New York McGraw Hill Medical 2018. Page – 711-726.
2. KD. Tripathi. Histamine and Antihistaminics. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 159-169.
3. Pierre-Michel Llorca 1, Christian Spadone, Olivier Sol, Anne Danniau, Thierry Bougerol, Emmanuelle Corruble, Michel Faruch, Jean-Paul Macher, Eric Sermet, Dominique Servant. Efficacy and safety of hydroxyzine in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a 3-month double-blind study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. November 2002. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12444816/
4. Amir Garakani1, James W. Murrough, Rafael C. Freire, Robyn P. Thom, Kaitlyn Larkin, Frank D. Buono and Dan V. Iosifescu. Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options. Frontiers Psychiatry. December 2020. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584/full
5. Wenstrup, Susie MD; Hogan, Paul DO; Gonzalez, Ivan MD. Is hydroxyzine effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in adults? Journal of Evidence based Practice. October 2020. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://journals.lww.com/ebp/Citation/2020/10000/Is_hydroxyzine_effective_in_reducing_anxiety.25.aspx
6. AMERICAN REGENT, INC. americanregent.com. [Revised in October 2016] [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://americanregent.com/media/2501/hydroxyzine-prescribing-information.pdf