Health Encyclopedia

Hydroxyzine overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from an overdose of hydroxyzine, an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of allergies and motion sickness.

Alternative Names

Atarax overdose; Vistaril overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Hydroxyzine, a prescription medication.

Where Found

Atarax
Durrax
Rezine
Vistaril
Ucerax

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

Blurred vision
Dry mouth, nose, and throat

Heart and blood

Rapid heartbeat
Low blood pressure
Palpitations

Nervous system

Depression
Excitation
Drowsiness
Nervousness
Dizziness
Hallucinations
Disorientation
Delirium
Coma
Unsteadiness
Tremor
Convulsions
Sleeping difficulties
Uncoordinated movement

Lungs

Shortness of breath

Skin

Flushed skin

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Activated charcoal
Laxative
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, survival is likely.

Review Date:3/18/2006
Reviewed By:Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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