Hydroxyzine
Description
Hydroxyzine is an anti-allergic medicine used in adults and children. It is used to treat the symptoms of allergic skin conditions such as rash, redness, itching, swelling, etc. It works by blocking the action of a chemical substance, called histamine, and provides relief from allergy.
Hydroxyzine is also used in the treatment of anxiety. It is also used to help you feel relaxed and to induce sleep before surgery along with anaesthesia.
Hydroxyzine may cause some common side effects such as sleepiness, tiredness, dryness in the mouth, headache, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms stay for a long time or if they become severe.
Hydroxyzine is available as tablets, oral drops, syrup, and injection. Take the oral form with or without food as advised by your doctor. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine for the recommended duration as prescribed by your doctor. Hydroxyzine injection is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems, or other medical conditions like asthma (a condition that causes breathing difficulty), depression (a condition that includes low mood and loss of interest), or glaucoma (an eye condition that may cause vision problems).
Hydroxyzine may interact with other medicines and cause undesired effects. Therefore, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicine including herbs and supplements. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Hydroxyzine
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Tiredness
Uses of Hydroxyzine
What is it prescribed for?
- Anxiety
- Allergic skin conditions
- Preoperative sedation
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionHydroxyzine starts its action in 15-30 minutes after oral administration. This medicine will start to act immediately if given in injection form.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Hydroxyzine lasts for about 12 to 24 hours after oral administration.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Hydroxyzine as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentration.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Hydroxyzine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Hydroxyzine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any worsening of symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Prolonged QT interval
Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use if you have QT interval prolongation (a heart condition that causes abnormal heart rhythm) as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Heart Conditions
Hydroxyzine may increase the risk of irregular heart rhythm, altered blood pressure, etc. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have heart problems or high blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns before taking this medicine.
Driving or operating machines
Hydroxyzine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machines if you experience such symptoms.
Use in elderly
Hydroxyzine should be used with caution in the elderly population due to the increased risk of side effects.
Other Medicines
Hydroxyzine may increase the risk of side effects like sleepiness and impaired thinking when taken together with medicines that have a sedative (sleep-inducing) effect. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Try not to skip a dose of Hydroxyzine. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Injection: As Hydroxyzine is administered in a hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with Hydroxyzine.
Injection: As Hydroxyzine is administered in a hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Hydroxyzine as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentration.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Ketoconazole
Propranolol
Tramadol
Alprazolam
Quinidine
Zolpidem
Hydroxychloroquine
Moxifloxacin
Clonazepam
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Hydroxyzine is broken down in your liver. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have a pre-existing liver problem as it may lead to the accumulation of Hydroxyzine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
Hydroxyzine is excreted from your body by the kidneys. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have a pre-existing kidney problem as it may lead to the accumulation of Hydroxyzine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerves in your eyes due to increased intraocular pressure (high pressure inside the eyeball). Hydroxyzine should be used with caution if you have glaucoma as this medicine may increase the pressure within your eyes. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Depression
Hydroxyzine may cause changes in behaviour and thoughts. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have a history of depression or any other mental illness as it may further worsen your condition and cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Close monitoring of behaviour and mood changes is recommended while taking this medicine.
Asthma
Hydroxyzine should be used with caution if you have asthma (narrowing of the airways leading to breathing difficulty) or any other lung problems as this medicine may cause thickening of the secretions in your airways. This may lead to obstruction in your airways. Inform your doctor if you have asthma before taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take Hydroxyzine with or without food. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Hydroxyzine as it may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid driving or operating machines after taking this medicine as it may reduce your alertness.
Injection: Hydroxyzine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Hydroxyzine works by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical substance in the body responsible for allergy. Thus, it provides relief from allergic symptoms. It also acts as a sedative (sleep-inducing) through its action on the brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antihistamines
Schedule
Schedule H
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Information on this page was last updated on 10 Oct 2021
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