Drug interactions
Difenoxin + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Difenoxin 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
Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate that can cause drowsiness at higher exposure. With hydroxyzine, additive sedation and CNS depression may occur, and anticholinergic effects on the gut may also add up.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difenoxin 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.
Difenoxin belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid activity and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Counsel on drowsiness and avoid exceeding recommended doses of difenoxin. Monitor for oversedation, especially in older adults and children.
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 Difenoxin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difenoxin with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difenoxin 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. Difenoxin is an opioid antidiarrheal related to diphenoxylate that can cause drowsiness at higher exposure. With hydroxyzine, additive sedation and CNS depression may occur, and anticholinergic effects on the gut may also add up.
How serious is the interaction between Difenoxin 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: Counsel on drowsiness and avoid exceeding recommended doses of difenoxin. Monitor for oversedation, especially in older adults and children.
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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