Drug interactions
Dexchlorpheniramine + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Dexchlorpheniramine 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
Both drugs are sedating first-generation antihistamines with anticholinergic activity. Taking them together increases drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexchlorpheniramine 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.
Dexchlorpheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive central H1-receptor antagonism and antimuscarinic effects.
What to do
Avoid using two sedating antihistamines together where possible and counsel the patient about driving and operating machinery. In older patients, prefer a single agent or a non-sedating antihistamine.
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
Other interactions of Dexchlorpheniramine
- Alprazolam + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amisulpride + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Asenapine + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
- Azelastine-fluticasone + Dexchlorpheniramine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexchlorpheniramine with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexchlorpheniramine 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. Both drugs are sedating first-generation antihistamines with anticholinergic activity. Taking them together increases drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Dexchlorpheniramine 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: Avoid using two sedating antihistamines together where possible and counsel the patient about driving and operating machinery. In older patients, prefer a single agent or a non-sedating antihistamine.
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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