Drug interactions
Hydromorphone + Hydroxyzine
Severity: Moderate
Hydromorphone 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 a sedating antihistamine, and with an opioid it causes additive drowsiness, impaired psychomotor function and potential respiratory depression. Hydroxyzine is sometimes given to reduce opioid dose or nausea, so combined use is common.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydromorphone 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.
Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Hydroxyzine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid agonism and central H1 antagonism.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiration, especially in older adults. Advise against driving.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Hydromorphone with Hydroxyzine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydromorphone 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 a sedating antihistamine, and with an opioid it causes additive drowsiness, impaired psychomotor function and potential respiratory depression. Hydroxyzine is sometimes given to reduce opioid dose or nausea, so combined use is common.
How serious is the interaction between Hydromorphone 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 doses and monitor sedation and respiration, especially in older adults. Advise against driving.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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