Hydroxyzine and Alcohol: What You Need To Know

The side effects of hydroxyzine can be similar to the side effects of alcohol. This is because alcohol has the potential to magnify and increase hydroxyzine’s side effects. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter ) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking hydroxyzine unless your doctor recommends it. Hydroxyzine will stay in your system for about 100 hours, on average, but its clinical effect may wear off before this time. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the plasma concentration to be reduced by 50% from its original value. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of hydroxyzine. Hydroxyzine is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Individuals with low blood levels of magnesium or potassium may experience serious side effects when taking hydroxyzine. Additionally, alcohol can deplete important electrolytes, which can make this effect even worse. Those who have a prolonged QT interval, or abnormal electrical activity of the heart, should avoid hydroxyzine as it can lead to severe complications. Additionally, anyone with a history of heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, or other heart problems should avoid hydroxyzine.

Because of these interactions, it is recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine. It is essential to always follow the prescription instructions, as mixing alcohol and hydroxyzine can be a potentially serious or deadly interaction. Hydroxyzine is a common antihistamine used to treat anxiety, but it can be dangerous when combined with alcohol. Alcohol use amplifies the side effects of hydroxyzine, and it can also increase the risk of adverse events such as sores, trembling, and seizures.

Serious side effects have been reported in breastfed newborns/infants. Some experts suggest using alternative antihistamines such as desloratadine, fexofenadine, or loratadine. Other drugs may interact with hydroxyzine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking hydroxyzine

If you are not sure whether to skip a dose or take it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of skin reactions from hydroxyzine oral tablets. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of extremely low blood pressure while you’re taking hydroxyzine oral tablets. Sleepiness from hydroxyzine oral tablets usually goes away after you’ve taken them for a few days.

Older adults should avoid taking hydroxyzine unless recommended by their doctor. Older adults have a higher risk of side effects from hydroxyzine, such as confusion and dry mouth. Below are recommended dosages for hydroxyzine oral tablet’s approved uses.

People in this age group are more likely to have certain side effects from hydroxyzine, including sleepiness, confusion, and slurred speech. Hydroxyzine starts to work in about 15 to 30 minutes but its drowsy effect may last for 4 to 6 hours. Hydroxyzine can reduce itching and redness due to allergy skin tests for up to 4 days. Hydroxyzine is used to relieve anxiety, itching due to allergies, and as a premedication prior to surgery. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness if this medicine makes you drowsy. Hydroxyzine has more drug interactions than OTC antihistamines.

Similar to alcohol, taking hydroxyzine with illegal drugs can increase the risk of serious adverse effects. As an antihistamine, hydroxyzine’s most prominent use is to relieve itching due to allergic skin reactions. Hydroxyzine may be eco sober house rating used to relieve anxiety or itching; however, it causes sedation so can affect a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery. It should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. Hydroxyzine may cause a cardiac (heart-related) side effect called long QT syndrome. With this condition, your heart takes longer than usual to contract and relax.

Mild side effects

As a precaution, lower dosages should be used, at least on initiation. The calming effect of hydroxyzine may be useful for some people with anxiety who have not responded to other treatments, such as benzodiazepines. Has been used to allay anxiety before and after giving birth or to quickly calm down hysterical or acutely disturbed patients. Hydroxyzine may be used to relieve itch or as a premedication before surgery to relieve anxiety. Hydroxyzine does not affect the GABA or glutamate receptors in your brain. Therefore, it is not able to counteract the effect of glutamate in your brain, which is the main cause ofAWS symptoms.

He received his Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from William Paterson University and his doctoral degree from Drexel University. He has spent his career working in the Emergency Room and Primary Care. The last 6 years of his career have been dedicated to the field of digital medicine. He has created departments geared towards this specialized practice as well as written blogs and a book about the topic. K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Get started with ourfree assessment, which will tell you in minutes if treatment could be a good fit.

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However, because the half-life of hydroxyzine is hours, it remains in your system much longer than you may even notice the benefits. The peak effect of the drug is felt within 2 hours of taking, and most noticeable anxiety effects are gone within 4-6 hours. Refill medications and get certain necessary prescriptions. But using alcohol to address anxiety is not recommended. More than 30% of adults in the United States will experience anxiety at some time throughout their lives. Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Some people may have dry mouth while taking hydroxyzine.

Librium is a benzodiazepine and has a chemical structure very different from hydroxyzine. Since then, benzodiazepines, including Librium, are now the top drugs of choice when a doctor is trying to help a person with AWS. If you or a loved one struggle with alcohol use, you may be curious about what drugs are used to help people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, or AWS.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Because of this, hydroxyzine does not work effectively in AWS patients. Glutamate enhances activity in the brain, while GABA calms it. When you https://sober-house.org/ consume a lot of alcohol, there is not a lot of glutamate present. Because of this, your brain becomes very sensitive to glutamate. Hydroxyzine may be combined with anesthesia for some surgeries as sedation.

• Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of hydroxyzine.
• Like most drugs, hydroxyzine can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
• Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

When taking a new medication, it is always important to monitor for potential side effects and adverse reactions. When combining hydroxyzine with alcohol, the side effects increase in severity; something called an additive effect. The potential side effects of hydroxyzine are similar to those experienced by those who drink. When used to manage itching or anxiety, hydroxyzine is usually taken four times a day. May cause a dry mouth, mild skin eruptions or a rash, headache, hallucinations. Craig Sorkin, DNP, APN is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years experience.

How Long After Taking Hydroxyzine Can I Drink Alcohol?

Has a calming effect and can cause drowsiness which means it may be used as a premedication before surgery or given following surgery. Hydroxyzine belongs to the class of drugs known as diphenylmethanes. Hydroxyzine is thought to be a safe drug for most people. However, doctors try to avoid the drug, especially if you are 65 years old or older. You are at much higher risk of side effects if you are an older adult.

They can suggest other treatments that are safer options for you. Your risk of certain side effects from hydroxyzine may vary based on factors such as your treatment eco sober house length or the condition you’re taking the drug to treat. If you have liver or kidney problems, tell your doctor before starting hydroxyzine oral tablets.

When you drink a lot of alcohol, there is not a lot of glutamate going around. Therefore, your brain becomes very sensitive to glutamate. When you stop drinking all of a sudden, your brain is then overexcited from all the glutamate in your brain, because no GABA is blocking it. Drugs like benzodiazepines work because they fit the GABA receptors in your brain. The main reason that hydroxyzine does not work well for AWS has to do with the reason AWS occurs in the first place. Two important chemicals in your brain are glutamate and gamma-Aminobutyric acid .

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. Hydroxyzine could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Talk to you doctor before using hydroxyzine if pregnant.