Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) is a prescription antihistamine. It's taken by adults and children to treat anxiety and to ease itching from allergies. It's also used as a sleep aid (sedative) before and after general anesthesia. Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) comes as a capsule that's taken by mouth up to 4 times daily. Some common side effects of this medication include sleepiness, dry mouth, and headache. It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) because doing so can worsen drowsiness.
Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) is a first-generation antihistamine. It treats itching by blocking a natural chemical in your body called histamine. Additionally, it treats anxiety by affecting another chemical called serotonin.
| Common Brands | Vistaril |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Less common or rare with azatadine, cetirizine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, or loratadine
Abdominal or stomach pain
burning
chills
clay-colored stools or dark urine
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast or irregular heartbeat
headache
prickly sensations
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
redness of skin
seizures
shortness of breath
skin rash
swelling
tightness in chest
tingling
unusual tiredness or weakness
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
convulsions (seizures)
drowsiness (severe)
dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe)
feeling faint
flushing or redness of face
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
trouble in sleeping
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Drowsiness
dry mouth, nose, or throat
gastrointestinal upset, stomach pain, or nausea
headache
increased appetite and weight gain
thickening of mucus
Less common or rare
Acid or sour stomach
belching
blurred vision or any change in vision
body aches or pain
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion (not with diphenhydramine)
congestion
difficult or painful urination
difficulty in moving
difficult or painful menstruation
dizziness (not with brompheniramine or hydroxyzine)
drowsiness (with high doses of desloratadine and loratadine)
dryness of mouth, nose, or throat
early menstruation
fast heartbeat
hoarseness
increased sensitivity of skin to sun
increased sweating
indigestion
loss of appetite
joint pain
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
nightmares (not with azatadine, chlorpheniramine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, hydroxyzine, or loratadine)
ringing or buzzing in ears
skin rash
swollen joints
stomach discomfort, upset or pain
tender swollen glands in neck
unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're 65 years or older, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, alcohol). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) affects you.
Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) can affect your heart rhythm, which can be serious and life-threatening. One example includes lengthening the time period from when the heart pumps and then relaxes. This is known as QT prolongation. Your risk is higher if you have certain factors, including abnormal electrolyte levels, heart rhythm problems, or are taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone (Pacerone) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro), among others. To lower your risk, your psychiatrist or primary care provider might periodically monitor your heart and perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) to make sure your heart rhythm is normal. If you feel your chest pounding, have shortness of breath, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril), call 911 right away.
People aged 65 years and older experience more side effects when taking antihistamine medications like hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril). Watch out for changes in vision, severe dry mouth, trouble urinating, or constipation. Also, feelings of drowsiness can leave you unsteady on your feet, which can lead to accidental falls and injuries. Talk with your primary care provider about your risk for side effects before taking hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril).
Some people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril). These reactions can be life-threatening and include facial swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice dizziness; a fast heartbeat; a choking sensation; difficulty breathing; swelling around your eyes, lips, or tongue; or any signs of a severe skin reaction after taking hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril), get medical attention right away.
In addition, although rare, hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) can cause a serious skin reaction that looks like a rash and small blisters usually on the face or on skin folds. It can sometimes occur with a fever. If you notice a rash or worsening of other skin reactions that you're using hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) to treat, stop this medication and contact your prescriber right away.
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 30 capsules | $10.24 | $0.34 |
| 100mg | 30 capsules | $14.58 | $0.49 |
| 50mg | 90 capsules | $18.23 | $0.20 |
Anxiety
Itching
Sedative
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) will not be safe for you to take.
Prescription savings
Stop paying too much for your prescriptions. Compare prices, get pharmacy coupons, and save up to 80%.
Find expert answers to your health questions so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.Health conditions
Medications & treatment
Access & affordability
Our monthly healthcare membership can help you save thousands on your prescription costs.Resources
Hydroxyzine Pamoate starts to work within 30 minutes after a dose. But it can take about 2 hours before you feel the full effects of the medication. The effects of Hydroxyzine Pamoate might last up to 6 hours after a dose, which is why it's sometimes prescribed up to four times per day. Talk with your healthcare team if you have more questions about what to expect after taking this medication.
Don't take Hydroxyzine Pamoate with melatonin without first speaking with a healthcare professional (HCP). Melatonin is a supplement that's used to help with sleep problems. In general, it's not recommended for you to take Hydroxyzine Pamoate with medications that can cause sleepiness, like melatonin, because doing so can worsen this side effect. Talk with your HCP if you have other concerns about taking Hydroxyzine Pamoate with melatonin.
Yes, sleepiness is a common side effect of Hydroxyzine Pamoate. This side effect might be more severe for older adults or people who are taking other medications that can also cause drowsiness. Don't drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how this medication affects you. Contact your prescriber if Hydroxyzine Pamoate is making you too sleepy.
While some antihistamines can raise the risk of weight gain, this isn't a common side effect with Hydroxyzine Pamoate. But more research is needed to understand how Hydroxyzine Pamoate might affect body weight. Talk with your healthcare team if you have more concerns about Hydroxyzine Pamoate and weight gain.
The main difference between hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) and hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax) is their dosage forms. Hydroxyzine Pamoate is available as a capsule whereas hydroxyzine HCl (Atarax) comes as a tablet and oral liquid. If you're having trouble swallowing capsules, your prescriber might consider hydroxyzine HCl (Atarax) for you instead because it comes as a liquid that might be easier to take
No, Hydroxyzine Pamoate isn't a controlled substance because it doesn't have a risk of addiction (habit-forming) or dependence.
