Oral Hydroxyzine Side Effects: Strategies for Managing Them
Hydroxyzine is a prescription medication commonly used to treat anxiety, itching related to certain conditions such as allergies and eczema, and to produce sedation before or after anesthesia. However, it's essential to be aware of its potential side effects, particularly for those with certain health conditions or advanced age.
Common side effects of hydroxyzine include drowsiness, headache, and dry mouth. People with dementia may have a higher risk of experiencing confusion and trouble paying attention with hydroxyzine. In older adults (ages 65 years and older), hydroxyzine may cause confusion and extreme drowsiness.
Some less common side effects include skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, renal and urinary disorders, reproductive system and breast disorders, general disorders and administration site conditions, central nervous system effects, and cardiac system effects. These side effects can range from mild (such as hives, itching, skin rash, constipation, fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, headache, dry mouth, and mild allergic reaction) to more serious (convulsions or tremors, severe skin reactions, long QT syndrome, hallucinations, and severe allergic reaction).
It's worth noting that some of these less common side effects may appear with doses higher than recommended, but they have been reported post-marketing and in clinical observations at normal use as well.
If you have heart problems, kidney or liver problems, or a history of seizures, it's crucial to discuss hydroxyzine use with your doctor. Hydroxyzine should not be taken with alcohol as it can worsen drowsiness.
Serious side effects can include convulsions or tremors, severe skin reactions, long QT syndrome, hallucinations, and severe allergic reaction. In rare cases, hydroxyzine may cause QT prolongation, torsade de pointes, and potentially serious irregular heart rhythms.
Hydroxyzine should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding due to potential risks to the baby. Doctors may avoid prescribing hydroxyzine to older adults due to a higher risk of side effects.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking hydroxyzine and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) is a generic prescription medication and may be used as a short-term or long-term treatment. It's not likely that hydroxyzine will cause long-term side effects. Most of the drug's side effects go away within hours or days of starting or stopping the drug.
For more information about side effects, refer to the prescribing information for hydroxyzine tablets and capsules. If you need information on any specific rare side effect or its mechanism, please consult with a healthcare professional.
- Hydroxyzine is often prescribed for anxiety, anxiety-related itching from conditions like allergies or eczema, and as a sedative during anesthesia.
- Some common side effects of hydroxyzine include drowsiness, headache, and dry mouth.
- Elderly individuals and those with dementia may experience confusion and trouble paying attention when taking hydroxyzine.
- Less common side effects of hydroxyzine can include skin disorders, gastrointestinal problems, liver and kidney problems, and reproductive system disorders, among others.
- Certain groups, such as those with heart issues, kidney or liver problems, or a history of seizures, should consult their doctor before taking hydroxyzine, and should avoid taking it with alcohol.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid hydroxyzine due to potential risks to the baby, and doctors may be more cautious in prescribing it to older adults.
