What Is Hydroxyzine?

Possible Side Effects

This medication's common side effects appear to include increased drowsiness, a mild skin rash, and dry mouth. Patients may also experience headaches without chest pain. Dehydration also seems common with this medication. Individuals may also deal with itching throughout their whole body. These mild side effects can disappear in a few weeks. This may happen once the patient's body adjusts.

Other side effects of this medication may be rare. However, they seem to exist. Patients may want to call for emergency medical help if they experience severe fatigue or vomiting. An allergic reaction to this medication may also require this call. Additional serious side effects appear to include fast or irregular heartbeats, fainting, headaches with chest pain, and seizures. Severe skin reactions are rare side effects, but they may occur. Individuals who experience them may wish to call their doctor right away. In most cases, their doctor may tell them to stop taking the medication immediately.

Learn about the precautions linked to this medication next.

Precautions

Patients may need to talk about their allergies before taking this medication. It may not be suitable if their allergies have been connected to other antihistamines. A medical history appears necessary as well. Patients may need to talk about if they have had breathing issues such as asthma, an overactive thyroid, and higher blood pressure. Other health problems that doctors may need to know about before prescribing this medication seem to include issues with the kidneys, stomach, and liver. If patients have dealt with seizures or problems urinating, they may also wish to tell their doctor.

Hydroxyzine appears to increase a patient's risk of QT prolongation. This can affect their heart rhythm. In addition, this condition may result in rapid heartbeats and fainting. It seems to require emergency attention in these cases. Patients may need to discuss this risk with their doctor if they have had heart issues before. Finally, individuals may not be able to drive or drink alcohol with this medication due to drowsiness as a side effect.

Learn about the possible medication interactions next.