Restoril vs. Vistaril

• Are Restoril and Vistaril the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Restoril?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Vistaril?
• What Is Restoril?
• What Is Vistaril?
• What Drugs Interact with Restoril?
• What Drugs Interact with Vistaril?
• How Should Restoril Be Taken?
• How Should Vistaril Be Taken?

Restoril (temazepam) and Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) are both sedatives.

Restoril is used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.

Vistaril is used to treat anxiety and tension. Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia. Vistaril may also be used to control nausea and vomiting, or to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Restoril and Vistaril belong to different drug classes. Restoril is a benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic and Vistaril is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties.

Side effects of Restoril and Vistaril that are similar include dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, stomach upset, or headache.

Side effects of Restoril that are different from Vistaril include amnesia or forgetfulness, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, depression, nervousness, excitability, irritability, nausea, vomiting, increased thirst, or numbness, burning, pain, or, tingly feeling.

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

Restoril may also interact with itraconazole or ketoconazole.

Vistaril may also interact with antibiotics, heart rhythm medicines, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Restoril.

Common side effects of Restoril include:

• dizziness
• daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping)
• amnesia or forgetfulness
• muscle weakness
• loss of balance or coordination
• headache
• blurred vision
• depression
• nervousness
• excitability
• irritability
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach discomfort
• dry mouth
• increased thirst, or
• numbness
• burning
• pain, or
• tingly feeling

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Restoril including weak or shallow breathing, fast or pounding heartbeats, confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, restless muscle movements (in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck), pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, problems with urination, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Vistaril include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• stomach upset,
• or headache.

• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck,
• tremors (uncontrolled shaking),
• confusion,
• or seizures (convulsions).

Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic used to treat insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep. Restoril is available in generic form.

Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia. Vistaril may also be used to control nausea and vomiting, or to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis. Vistaril is available in generic form.

Restoril may interact with fluvoxamine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, or other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). Tell your doctor all medication you use. Restoril must not be used during pregnancy. Other medications in this class have caused birth defects when used in the first three months of pregnancy, and have also caused unusual drowsiness, feeding problems, and liver problems in newborns when used at or near the time of delivery, or withdrawal symptoms in newborns when used for a long time during pregnancy. Use birth control while taking this drug. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Withdrawal symptoms (such as unusual depressed/anxious mood, stomach/muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, seizures) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication.

Vistaril may interact with probenecid.

Vistaril 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).

The recommended dose of Restoril is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mcg twice daily for children. If you are also using a bronchodilator, use it first before using the beclomethasone inhaler. There may be other drugs that can interact with Restoril.

The recommended dose of Vistaril for treating itch (pruritus) is 25 mg, 3 or 4 times daily. For sedation, the recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg. The dose to treat anxiety and tension is 50 to 100 mg 4 times daily. Vistaril 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). Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Vistaril is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It could harm the fetus. Discuss birth control with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.