Hydroxyzine side effects

What is hydroxyzine and when to use it?

Hydroxyzine is a medication that belongs to the group of antihistamines, which means that it is primarily used for the treatment of itching, which is usually a symptom of some allergy, but it is also known for its ability to increase the effectiveness of pain relievers that are opioid in nature. This medication is also effective in cases of anxiety and agitation, and since it is helpful in cases of nausea and vomiting and has a mild sedating feature, it can be used even before and after childbirth. However, it is important to know that there are several forms in which this medication can be found on the market, but not all the forms are equally effective in all cases. For this reason, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor regarding this as well.

Possible side effects of hydroxyzine

Certainly, no matter how useful and helpful this medication might be, there are some unwanted effects that it might cause, which is why those who are about to use it should be particularly careful at the beginning. Since some side effects might be dangerous, it is important to recognize them in time and react accordingly. There are people who are not advised to use this medication since they belong to the risk group. Among them are those who suffer from glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, allergy, or some problem or disease of liver or kidneys. It is necessary to inform the doctor about the existence of any of these conditions in advance, and the same goes for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those who already use some other medications. Speaking of medications, there is a list of those that might provoke some interactions if combined with hydroxyzine, and the same applies for alcohol.

Side effects that can be characterized only as bothersome include drowsiness, dry mouth and shakiness, but those that are much more than just bothersome are hallucinations and seizures. Allergic reactions are also possible, but they are practically a possible side effect for every medication. However, these serious side effects do not occur frequently, but still, people who are to begin to use this medication should be acquainted with these possibilities. It is necessary to pay attention to dosage, and the signs that might indicate overdosing with it include dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, fever, intestinal blockage, and pain in the muscles.