Drug interactions
Hydroxyzine + Loperamide
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyzine and Loperamide: 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 has a recognized QT-prolonging effect, and loperamide can do the same at high doses. The combination may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in older patients or those with electrolyte disturbances.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyzine and Loperamide 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; Loperamide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through hERG potassium channel blockade.
What to do
Keep loperamide within labeled doses and use the lowest effective hydroxyzine dose. Check an ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
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 Loperamide, 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 Loperamide
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 Loperamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyzine and Loperamide 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 has a recognized QT-prolonging effect, and loperamide can do the same at high doses. The combination may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in older patients or those with electrolyte disturbances.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyzine and Loperamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep loperamide within labeled doses and use the lowest effective hydroxyzine dose. Check an ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Loperamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Loperamide with, for example, Amiodarone, Amisulpride, Anagrelide. The full list is on the Loperamide 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.
