Drug interactions
Butalbital + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Butalbital and Hydroxyzine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Butalbital is a barbiturate in headache combination products, and hydroxyzine adds to its sedative effects. Increased drowsiness, impaired coordination and, at high doses, respiratory depression can occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butalbital and Hydroxyzine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation. Advise patients to avoid driving, alcohol and other CNS depressants.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Hydroxyzine
- Droperidol + Hydroxyzine Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxyzine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydroxyzine Major
- Amiodarone + Hydroxyzine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butalbital with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butalbital and Hydroxyzine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Butalbital is a barbiturate in headache combination products, and hydroxyzine adds to its sedative effects. Increased drowsiness, impaired coordination and, at high doses, respiratory depression can occur.
How serious is the interaction between Butalbital and Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation. Advise patients to avoid driving, alcohol and other CNS depressants.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxyzine with, for example, Droperidol, Pimozide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Hydroxyzine page.
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