WARNINGS
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Since many
drugs are so excreted, hydroxyzine should not be given to nursing mothers.
PRECAUTIONS
THE POTENTIATING ACTION OF HYDROXYZINE MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN THE DRUG IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS SUCH AS NARCOTICS, NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS AND BARBITURATES. Therefore, when central nervous system depressants are administered concomitantly with hydroxyzine, their dosage should be reduced. Since drowsiness may occur
with use of the drug, patients should be warned of this possibility and cautioned against driving a
car or operating dangerous machinery while taking Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate). Patients
should be advised against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs, and cautioned that
the effect of alcohol may be increased.
Geriatric Use: A determination has not been made whether controlled clinical studies of VISTARIL included sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to define a difference in response from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
The extent of renal excretion of VISTARIL has not been determined. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selections.
Sedating drugs may cause confusion and over sedation in the elderly; elderly patients generally should be started on low doses of VISTARIL and observed closely.
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