Drug interactions
Ethanol + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Ethanol 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
Alcohol potentiates the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of hydroxyzine. This raises the risk of accidents, falls and, at high intake, marked CNS depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from alcohol and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking hydroxyzine and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until response is known.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethanol with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethanol 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. Alcohol potentiates the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of hydroxyzine. This raises the risk of accidents, falls and, at high intake, marked CNS depression.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol 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: Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking hydroxyzine and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks until response is known.
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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