Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDROXYZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Antihistamine given by mouth as an anxiolytic, an anti- emetic, and as an adjunct to pre-
and post- operative medication and in allergic conditions, especially pruritus. Non-
sedating type histamine H1 receptor antagonist. Mode of action appears to involve
eosinophilic inhibition. CAUTION: Antihistamines may cause drowsiness and dulling of
mental alertness. Patients undergoing treatment with these drugs should not take charge of
a vehicle, other means of transportation or machinery where loss of attention may lead to
an accident. Patients should abstain from alcohol.

SYNONYMS

C21-H27-Cl-N2-O2.2HCl, "ethanol, 2-[2-(4-(p-chloro-alpha-phenylbenzyl)-1-
piperazinyl)ethoxy)-, dihydrochloride", "ethanol, 2-[2-(4-(p-chloro-alpha-phenylbenzyl)-
1-piperazinyl)ethoxy)-, dihydrochloride", "hydroxyzine hydrochloride", Altamon, Atarox,
"Atarax dihydrochloride", "Ataraxoid dihydrochloride", "Aterax dihydrochloride", Neurolax,
Orgatrax, "Tran-Q dihydrochloride", "Tranquizine dihydrochloride", "Vistaril steraject",
antihistamine

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Antihistamines have side effects such as sedation, stomach upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation), blurred vision, ringing in the ears, mood changes, irritability, nightmares, loss of appetite, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, chest tightness and tingling, heaviness and weakness in the hands, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, feeling of well-being, disturbed eye movements, difficulties moving the face, "pins and needles", palpitations, faintness, increased heart rate, uncommonly irregular heart rhythms, lung swelling, and disturbed sleep and dreaming. Treatment may cause side effects within 15 minutes including a dry mouth and throat, blocked nose, wheeze, thick phlegm, fever, sweating, smell disturbances, skin flushing, double vision and dilated pupils. Central nervous system depression may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lethargy, fatigue, loss of alertness and concentration, inco-ordination, absence of breathing, stupor and coma. Sometimes stimulation occurs after depression, and causes excitement, anxiety, jerky eye movements, involuntary movements of extremities, tremors, hallucinations, delirium, psychosis, and convulsions. There may be a characteristic spastic posture or loss of tone, inability to sit still with jerking, and parkinsons-like shaking. Allergy-like symptoms with skin reactions can occur in 6-12 hours.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Wide area external application of antihistamines can cause various side effects, including sensitization and eczema.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Long-term use of antihistamines can cause sugar in the urine, obstructive jaundice, skin discoloration associated with loss of platelets, early periods, loss of milk production, breast development in males and decreased sex drive. Disturbances in the blood include anemia, loss of white blood cells and platelets. Allergic reactions include fever, eczema,  red wheal and blistering, a measles-like or scarlet-fever like rash, itching, sensitivity to light, swelling of the extremities, throat and other areas, asthma, lupus-like symptoms and anaphylactic shock. Prolonged use may cause difficulty in moving the muscles of the face. Withdrawing the drug generally improves these effects.