It’s virtually impossible to exhaust everything about a particular drug medication such as hydroxyzine on a few pages. So many things just get left out and this is precisely the reason for having a more detailed look at this drug medication so that you as a potential user you will have all the pertinent information you need at your disposal to fully gauge the importance and efficacy of this drug medication for your own benefit.
The need to provide Hydroxyzine under prescription
Basically most, if not all, drug medications need to be provided only under prescription because without doing so would literally cause mayhem to break out in the medical sphere especially on patients who use such medication.
Drug medications have a plethora of health uses and benefits but they need to be given under a recognized method of distribution so that they are safe and effective when they are given to patients.
There are men and women of different ages in society who must be provided with safe and effective medication and providing them under prescription ensures the safety of their users.
There are many different types of diseases and conditions that are rampant in many communities and the only effective way of combating them is by using properly prescribed medications to them to use.
There are different classes and types of medications which need to be researched and tested to make sure that those being treated are given the best most effective treatment for their health condition.
Its only logical to expect that a drug medication such as hydroxyzine will inevitably fall under these categories so that it can qualify as being the most appropriate, safest and most effective medication that can be used by anyone who desires to be cured of a certain condition.
How to use Hydroxyzine the right way
This drug medication comes in different forms as tablets, capsules, syrup and in liquid suspension form all of which can be taken by mouth.
They can be taken in these forms up to three to four times every day.
The medication normally comes with a prescription label that lists out everything you need to do when you take your medication. You need to follow the inscribed instructions very carefully.
If you encounter anything that you don’t understand or you need to raise questions, ask and talk to your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything that you don’t know or understand.
It’s extremely important that you take your hydroxyzine medication as directed.
You shouldn’t take more or less than what has been prescribed for you.
You should avoid taking your medication more often than what your doctor has prescribed for your condition.
If you have opted to take the liquid suspension as your medication, always remember to shake the bottle well so that the content is thoroughly mixed.
You should also be aware that the medication can be prescribed for other uses. If you wish to know more about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Are there any special precautions I should follow?
Before you actually start taking hydroxyzine tell these things to your doctor or pharmacist first:
- if you are allergic to hydroxyzine, cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetrizine (Xyzal), including any of the ingredients found in the preparation of hydroxyzine. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for the list of ingredients used in the different forms of hydroxyzine.
- the names of prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, supplements you are taking or planning to take. Make sure you include the following:
- antihistamines;
- azithromycin (Zithromax, ZMax), certain antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra);
- anxiety medications;
- certain medications for arrhythmisas such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone,), procainamide, quinidine (in Nuedexta), and sotalol (Betapace, Dorine, Sotylize);
- barbitrates;
- clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac);
- droperidol (Inapsine);
- erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, others);
- gatifloxacin;
- certain medications for mental illness such as chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo ODT, Versacloz), iloperidone (Fanapt), quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon);
- meperidine (Demerol);
- methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox);
- Mediations for pain;
- Ondansertron (Zofran, Zuplenz); pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam); and medications for seizures, sedatives, sleeping pills, and trquilizers. Your doctor may have to change your medication doses or carefully monitor you for side effects.
- if you have a prolonged QT interval such as a rare heart condition that causes irregular heartbeat, fainting spells, or sudden death), or if you are planning to become pregnant or you are pregnant. In these cases your doctor may recommend that you refrain from using hydroxyzine.
- if someone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval or if you have or have ever had a slow irregular heartbeat, low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood, heart failure, a heart attack, or heart diseases.
- if you are breastfeeding. You shouldn’t breastfeed if you are on hydroxyzine.
- If you are 65 years or over and the risks and benefits of using hydroxyzine at that age. Normally, older adults shouldn’t take hydroxyzine because it’s not as safe as other medications that can be used for treating a similar condition.
- the medication will make you drowsy when you take it and you should be aware of this. Until you know the effects of the drug on you, you should refrain from driving a car or operate other machinery.
- you should also ask your doctor about using alcohol safely while taking the drug medication because alcohol can exacerbate the side effects of hydroxyzine.
Should I follow any dietary program?
The best you can do in relation to your diet is to follow what your doctor recommends for you. If they don’t you should continue with your current diet you are enjoying.
What if I forget my doses?
If your doctor’s instruction is for you to take your medication on a regular basis but you forgot to take it, you should take it when you remember it.
However if your next scheduled dose is almost due, you should skip the missed dose and follow you scheduled dose given by your doctor.
Never double your dose to make up for the one you missed.
Bottom line
The original goal for this article was to engage in a closer look at the hydroxyzine drug medications so that as a potential user, you will have all the pertinent information you need to fully understand the importance and efficacy of this drug medication for your own benefit. We believe the article has done just that and more and we are convinced you now have the information you need to know and understand more about Hydroxyzine.