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Overview
This article describes possible side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for hydroxyzine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about hydroxyzine oral tablet, including the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Hydroxyzine oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Hydroxyzine also comes in an injectable form and other forms that you swallow. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about them, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet include dry mouth and sleepiness.*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydroxyzine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydroxyzine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with hydroxyzine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from hydroxyzine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with hydroxyzine.
Serious side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- convulsions (a type of seizure)
- prolonged QT interval (heart muscles contract and relax slower than usual)*†
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydroxyzine in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Common questions about side effects of hydroxyzine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can hydroxyzine cause weight loss?
No, hydroxyzine oral tablet isn’t likely to cause weight loss. Weight loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of the drug.
But weight loss may occur with conditions that hydroxyzine treats. For example, you may lose your appetite if you have anxiety. Having surgery can also affect your appetite. If you aren’t eating as much as usual, you may have some weight loss.
If you have questions or concerns about your weight, talk with your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause of weight changes, including any of your medications.
Will hydroxyzine 25 mg cause fewer side effects than the drug’s other strengths?
Possibly. Side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet can be dose-related. This means that higher strengths will have stronger side effects than lower strengths. People also respond differently to side effects of drugs.
Hydroxyzine oral tablet also comes in a 10-milligram (mg) strength and a 50-mg strength. The 25-mg strength may have fewer side effects than the 50-mg strength. But it may cause more side effects than the 10-mg strength. However, this may not be true for everyone.
If you have bothersome side effects with hydroxyzine oral tablet, tell your doctor. They may be able to adjust your hydroxyzine dosage. Do not change your dosage without talking with your doctor first.
Does hydroxyzine cause long-term side effects?
No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with hydroxyzine oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with hydroxyzine.
Coupon for hydroxyzine
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Side effects of hydroxyzine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet.
Prolonged QT interval
A prolonged QT interval wasn’t reported in studies of hydroxyzine oral tablet. But it has occurred in people taking the drug after it was approved for use. This side effect may be serious.
With a prolonged QT interval, you have changes in the heart’s electrical signals. This can lead to a serious and life threatening heart rhythm problem. Possible symptoms include:
Certain factors can raise the risk of a prolonged QT interval with hydroxyzine oral tablet. These include:
- having heart disease, heart failure, or a recent heart attack
- electrolyte imbalances (high or low levels of essential minerals that are found in your body)
- taking other drugs that can cause a prolonged QT interval
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about a prolonged QT interval, tell your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment.
Sleepiness
Sleepiness was common in studies of people taking hydroxyzine oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
With sleepiness, you feel very tired and unable to stay awake. This can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug will affect you.
Certain factors can increase the risk of sleepiness with hydroxyzine oral tablet. These include drinking alcohol or taking other drugs that make you sleepy.
Ways to manage
This side effect may get better as your body gets used to the drug. If you have sleepiness that doesn’t go away or becomes bothersome, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a lower dosage of hydroxyzine or a different treatment. Do not change your dose or stop taking hydroxyzine oral tablet without first talking with your doctor.
Allergic reaction
For some people, hydroxyzine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash, which can be severe and cause blistering
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to hydroxyzine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
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Get free cardWarnings for hydroxyzine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking hydroxyzine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take hydroxyzine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether hydroxyzine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking hydroxyzine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- heart disease or heart failure
- family history of heart problems
- recent heart attack
- past allergic reaction to hydroxyzine*
* An allergic reaction is possible with hydroxyzine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hydroxyzine in detail” section above.
Hydroxyzine and pregnancy
Hydroxyzine oral tablet should not be taken during early pregnancy. It’s not known whether hydroxyzine oral tablet should be taken later in pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with hydroxyzine.
Hydroxyzine and breastfeeding
Hydroxyzine oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with hydroxyzine.
Hydroxyzine and alcohol
Hydroxyzine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine can increase the effects of alcohol. The drug manufacturer recommends against using alcohol and hydroxyzine together.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with hydroxyzine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history raise my risk of side effects with hydroxyzine oral tablet?
- Do any of the other medications I take increase my risk of side effects with hydroxyzine oral tablet?
- How do side effects of hydroxyzine oral tablet compare with those of other drugs that could treat my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.