Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin 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 associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and ciprofloxacin has a modest QT effect. Combining them may increase the arrhythmia risk, particularly in older patients and those with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin 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.
Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive inhibition of cardiac potassium channels (hERG) causing delayed ventricular repolarization.
What to do
Use the lowest effective hydroxyzine dose and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors, or consider an alternative antibiotic.
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 Ciprofloxacin
- Agomelatine + Ciprofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Ciprofloxacin 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 Ciprofloxacin with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin 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 associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and ciprofloxacin has a modest QT effect. Combining them may increase the arrhythmia risk, particularly in older patients and those with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin 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 hydroxyzine dose and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors, or consider an alternative antibiotic.
What other medicines interact with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ciprofloxacin with, for example, Agomelatine, Fezolinetant, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Ciprofloxacin page.
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