Atarax - medication for treating anxiety disorders and allergic skin conditions

 Atarax is used for treating anxiety, for sedation before and after general anesthesia, and to treat itching due to certain allergic conditions, including hives and contact dermatitis (eg, poison ivy). Atarax is an antihistamine. It works by affecting the brain to reduce anxiety. It also has other activities, including opening breathing tubes, relieving pain or allergy symptoms, and preventing or treating nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness.

Use Atarax as directed by your doctor. Take Atarax by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

If you miss a dose of Atarax and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for you next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atarax.

Important safety information:
Atarax may cause drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atarax with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Atarax; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
The effectiveness of Atarax as anxiety treatment for longer than 4 months is not known.
Use Atarax with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Atarax should not be used in newborns; safety and effectiveness in newborns have not been confirmed.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use Atarax if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Atarax is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Atarax.