Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin 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
Difelikefalin is a kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Adding hydroxyzine, a sedating antihistamine, may increase drowsiness and the risk of falls, particularly in dialysis patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin 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.
Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects from kappa-opioid agonism and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation, dizziness and falls, and reduce the hydroxyzine dose or stop it if drowsiness develops. Counsel the patient on fall precautions.
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 Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difelikefalin with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin 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. Difelikefalin is a kappa-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Adding hydroxyzine, a sedating antihistamine, may increase drowsiness and the risk of falls, particularly in dialysis patients.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin 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: Monitor for excessive sedation, dizziness and falls, and reduce the hydroxyzine dose or stop it if drowsiness develops. Counsel the patient on fall precautions.
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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