Hyzine

Hydroxyzine is a prescription medication used to control nausea and vomiting, to relieve itching caused by allergic conditions, and to cause sedation before and after general anesthesia and in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Hydroxyzine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine and acetylcholine receptors in the body, and by suppressing activity in the brain.

This medication comes in tablet, capsule, syrup, and intramuscular injectable forms. It is taken up to 4 times daily, with or without food.

Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Hydroxyzine is a prescription medication used:

• for sedation to relieve anxiety, agitation, and tension caused by certain psychiatric disorders
• for sedation before and after general anesthesia
• to reduce itching caused by allergic conditions or certain pain medications
• to control nausea and vomiting

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain hydroxyzine. It may not be specific to Hyzine. Please read with care.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Hyzine affects you.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• An unsafe heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG) has happened with this medicine. This may raise the chance of sudden death. Talk with the doctor.
• Unsafe heart problems and sometimes death have rarely happened when Hyzine was given with alcohol or certain other drugs that may slow your actions. Talk with your doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Hyzine while you are pregnant.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Trouble controlling body movements.
• Feeling confused.
• Rarely, a very bad skin reaction has happened with Hyzine. Signs include fever and many small skin spots within large areas of redness and swelling. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash or any of these signs.
• Tissue damage has happened with this medicine. Sometimes, this has led to surgery. Tell your nurse if you have any burning, color changes, pain, skin breakdown, or swelling where the shot was given.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• If you need to store Hyzine (hydroxyzine injection) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Hyzine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Hyzine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017