Drug interactions
Hydroxyzine + Pholcodine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyzine and Pholcodine: 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
Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive that can cause drowsiness. With hydroxyzine, sedation and impaired alertness may be increased, with respiratory depression possible at high doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyzine and Pholcodine 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 opioid agonism and H1 antagonism.
What to do
Advise against driving and alcohol, and monitor for oversedation, especially in children and older adults.
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 Hydroxyzine with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyzine and Pholcodine 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. Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive that can cause drowsiness. With hydroxyzine, sedation and impaired alertness may be increased, with respiratory depression possible at high doses.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyzine and Pholcodine?
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 against driving and alcohol, and monitor for oversedation, especially in children and older adults.
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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