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What you need to know before you take Hydroxyzine tablets

Hydroxyzine tablets may be associated with an increased risk of heart rhythm disorder which may be life threatening. Therefore, tell your doctor if you have any heart problems or are taking any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription. While taking Hydroxyzine tablets, seek immediate medical attention if you experience heart problems such as palpitations, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness. Treatment with hydroxyzine tablets should be stopped. Do not take Hydroxyzine tablet if: • You are allergic to hydroxyzine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Hydroxyzine tablets (listed in section 6) • You are allergic to cetirizine, other piperazine derivatives, aminophylline or ethylenediamine • You are pregnant or breastfeeding • You have a condition called porphyria (A blood disease that can cause stomach pain, vomiting and mental disturbances such as depression) • Your ECG (electrocardiogram) shows a heart rhythm problem called “QT interval prolongation” • You have or had a cardiovascular disease or if your heart rate is very low • You have low salt levels in your body (e.g. low level of potassium or of magnesium) • You are taking certain medicines for heart rhythm problems or medicines that may affect the heart rhythm (see “Other medicines and Hydroxyzine tablets”) • If anyone in your close family has died suddenly of heart problems • If you are an asthmatic who has suffered a bad reaction to an antihistamine in the past If any of the above applies to you talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Warnings and precautions While taking this medicine, seek immediate medical attention if you experience heart problems such as palpitations, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness. Treatment with hydroxyzine tablets should be stopped. Before you take this medicine tell your doctor if you suffer with: • Kidney disease or are on dialysis • Liver disease. Hydroxyzine tablets are not suitable for patients with severe liver disease or liver failure • Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) • Difficulty passing water e.g. due to an enlarged prostate • Digestive system or stomach problems • Myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder) • Dementia • Seizure disorders including epilepsy (fits) • Breathing problems • Bladder outflow obstruction • Hyperthyroidism (often referred to as an “overactive thyroid”) • High blood pressure (hypertension) Your doctor may adjust your dose if you are elderly. Hydroxyzine tablets may affect the results of some tests for allergy or asthma. Always tell your doctor or nurse that you have been given hydroxyzine recently. If the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Hydroxyzine tablets. Children Hydroxyzine should not be used in children under 6 years. Children are more susceptible to side-effects. Other medicines and Hydroxyzine tablets Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Do not take Hydroxyzine tablets if you are taking medicine to treat: • Bacterial infections (e.g. the antibiotics erythromycin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin) • Fungal infections (e.g. pentamidine) • Heart problems or high blood pressure (e.g., amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide, sotalol) • Psychoses (e.g. haloperidol) • Depression (e.g. citalopram, escitalopram) • Gastro-intestinal disorders (e.g. prucalopride) • Allergy • Malaria (e.g. mefloquine) • Cancer (e.g. toremifene, vandetanib) • Drug abuse or severe pain (methadone). Tell your doctor that you are taking Hydroxyzine tablets if you are going to have allergy testing or a chest medical examination (for asthma) in the next 5 days. Hydroxyzine tablets can affect the test results. It is also important that you tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: • Adrenaline or epinephrine • Barbiturates (for sleeping disorders and epilepsy) • Cimetidine (for ulcers and heartburn) • Antiemetics (drugs effective against vomiting and nausea) • Betahistine (used to treat a condition called Ménière’s disease) • Anaesthetics • Muscle relaxants • Opioids (medicines for relieving severe pain) • Anticholinergic medicines, these include some medicines used for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or incontinence • Aminophylline (for breathing problems) • Benzylpenicillin salts and chloramphenicol sodium succinate (antibiotics) • Doxorubicin hydrochloride (a chemotherapy drug) • Antidepressants, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (such as isocarboxazid or moclobemide), and tricyclics (such as amitriptyline) • Medicines to treat anxiety • Medicines that help you sleep • Benzodiazepines • Anticholinesterase medicines (such as edrophonium and neostigmine) • Antimuscarinic medicines (such as atropine) • Antiepileptic medicines • Other antihistamines Taking with food and drink You should not take alcohol with this medicine because the sedative effects of the alcohol may be increased. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Do not take Hydroxyzine tablets if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Driving and using machines Do not drive or operate machines if you take Hydroxyzine tablets. Hydroxyzine tablets may affect your ability to react and concentrate. Hydroxyzine tablets contains lactose If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.