Atarax vs. Ativan

Are Atarax and Ativan the Same Thing?

Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) and Ativan (lorazepam) are used to treat anxiety.

Atarax is also used to treat itching caused by allergies.

Ativan is also used to treat insomnia, panic attacks, and alcohol withdrawal.

Atarax and Ativan belong to different drug classes. Atarax is an antihistamine and Ativan is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Atarax and Ativan that are similar include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or constipation.

Side effects of Atarax that are different from Ativan include dry mouth.

Side effects of Ativan that are different from Atarax include tiredness, muscle weakness, headache, sleep problems (insomnia), loss of balance or coordination, forgetfulness or amnesia, difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, or skin rash.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Atarax?

Common side effects of Atarax include:

  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • blurred vision,
  • constipation, or
  • dry mouth.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Atarax including mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion, hallucinations), shaking (tremor), difficulty urinating, or fast/irregular heartbeat. Hydroxyzine is available in generic form.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ativan?

Common side effects of Ativan include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Forgetfulness or amnesia
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Changes in appetite
  • Skin rash

What Is Atarax?

Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties used for symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested.

What Is Ativan?

Ativan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms.

What Drugs Interact With Atarax?

Atarax may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

What Drugs Interact With Ativan?

Benzodiazepines like Ativan produce increased CNS (central nervous system) depressant effects when administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics.

How Should Atarax Be Taken?

Atarax may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

How Should Ativan Be Taken?

Ativan can be taken with or without food. Ativan tablets should be swallowed with water.

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References
SOURCE:

DailyMed. Atarax Product Information.

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7eaf5043-5c73-47af-904b-8e1fae02af2e

FDA. Ativan Product Information.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017794s034s035lbl.pdf

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