Drug interactions
Hydroxyzine + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyzine and Lithium: 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 can prolong the QT interval and has been linked to torsades de pointes. Lithium may also affect repolarization, particularly with electrolyte disturbance or toxicity, so the combination can add to arrhythmia risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyzine and Lithium 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 belongs to Respiratory; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization (QT prolongation).
What to do
Check ECG and electrolytes in patients with additional QT risk factors. Use the lowest hydroxyzine dose or choose a non-QT-prolonging alternative.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydroxyzine and Lithium, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
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 Hydroxyzine with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyzine and Lithium 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 can prolong the QT interval and has been linked to torsades de pointes. Lithium may also affect repolarization, particularly with electrolyte disturbance or toxicity, so the combination can add to arrhythmia risk.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyzine and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check ECG and electrolytes in patients with additional QT risk factors. Use the lowest hydroxyzine dose or choose a non-QT-prolonging alternative.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
