Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol 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
Hydroxyzine is a sedating antihistamine often used with opioids for premedication, but the combination can produce significant drowsiness and impaired alertness. Anticholinergic effects may cause confusion in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol 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.
Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid activity and central H1-receptor antagonism.
What to do
Consider reducing the doses of both agents and monitor sedation and respiratory status. Avoid or limit in older patients and counsel against driving.
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 Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
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 Butorphanol with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol 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. Hydroxyzine is a sedating antihistamine often used with opioids for premedication, but the combination can produce significant drowsiness and impaired alertness. Anticholinergic effects may cause confusion in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol 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: Consider reducing the doses of both agents and monitor sedation and respiratory status. Avoid or limit in older patients and counsel against driving.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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