Hydroxyzine may cause several side effects; their severity largely depends upon dosage, frequency of use and metabolism of CYP2D6 enzyme.
Drowsiness and cognitive deficits are common among those taking hydroxyzine, particularly for people in positions which demand cognitive abilities such as employment or academia. They may pose particular problems for people working or studying in these capacities.
Altering the time or amount you take hydroxyzine could significantly help to lessen its adverse side effects.
Does Hydroxyzine Cause Weight Gain?
Hydroxyzine is generally not associated with weight gain. Clinical studies have not reported this side effect. However, it’s worth noting that some individuals have reported weight gain while taking hydroxyzine.
If you have concerns about changes in your weight during treatment, it is advisable to discuss them with your doctor. They can provide guidance on maintaining a healthy weight and suggest appropriate measures.
It is important to keep in mind that certain medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers are known to cause weight gain. If you are taking multiple medications, identifying the specific culprit behind the weight gain may be challenging.
Additionally, hormonal changes may sometimes be a consequence of gaining weight rather than its root cause. If you’re experiencing any concerns while taking hydroxyzine, discussing them with your doctor can help pinpoint the source of the side effects and explore alternative treatments suitable for your condition—treatments that prioritize both safety and effectiveness for you.
Weight Gain
Approx. 12-13% of users taking hydroxyzine may experience weight gain due to the drug’s impact on appetite, increasing daily caloric intake or making it hard for users to resist food cravings.
Other side effects of hydroxyzine may include gastrointestinal distress and nausea. This side effect often arises when taken on an empty stomach, increasing chances of irritation in the gut and possibly nausea. To alleviate its severity, taking it with meals or an over-the-counter medicine for GI distress may help lessen its impact.
Hydroxyzine may also cause drowsiness and reduced alertness, interfering with work and school performance. Furthermore, difficulty maintaining normative cognition may cause frustration or an inability to finish assignments for work or school – further adding unwanted stress. It may cause constipation; using laxatives can reduce this side effect caused by decreased bowel motility due to antihistamine medications.
Increased Appetite
Some users of hydroxyzine may experience increased appetite and food cravings (particularly carbohydrates). This could result in weight gain when coupled with decreased physical activity levels.
Hydroxyzine may cause constipation in some individuals; in such instances, dosage adjustment or switching medications may help alleviate this side effect.
If an individual experiences blurred vision as a side effect of taking hydroxyzine, they should keep in mind that this side effect should resolve within days or weeks due to altered activation of their visual cortex.
To reduce gastrointestinal distress, an individual should consider taking their hydroxyzine medication after eating a large meal. This will reduce GI irritation and may even help people who experience dizziness. The best way to assess whether this strategy is working is to document and report side effects daily – this way an individual can determine when taking their dose leads to less adverse side effects (subjectively).
Difficulty With Food Cravings
If taken on an empty stomach, hydroxyzine may cause some gastrointestinal discomfort; taking it with food may reduce this side effect. Also, changing up dosing schedule may help decrease its effects; for instance, some individuals may tolerate it more effectively if split up over multiple doses rather than one large one (t.i.d) every day (b.i.d).
Age can also have an effect on one’s susceptibility to adverse side effects from hydroxyzine, as older individuals are more likely to experience certain negative reactions like drowsiness and cognitive impairment.
Time of day when taking hydroxyzine could also play an impactful role in its side effects and severity. Your body could produce different hormones or chemicals at certain times of the day that could mitigate some of its adverse reactions.
Decreased Physical Activity
Hydroxyzine is generally safe for most adults to take at the recommended dosages; however, people with preexisting health conditions may experience different side effects from this medication; older adults who suffer from liver or kidney issues, for example, may need lower dosages; your physician can help determine what dose would work best.
Time of day that hydroxyzine is taken may also have an impact on its side effects and severity, with morning time takings likely being met with more fatigue, drowsiness and cognitive impairment than taking it at any other point in their day.
An individual taking their medication at night may experience fewer adverse reactions due to how their bodies break down hydroxyzine in sleep–in other words, more of it is likely to be absorbed and utilized effectively by their system.
Are There Any Other Side Effects Associated With Hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine can potentially induce various side effects, although not everyone will encounter them. Let’s explore some of the common and uncommon side effects linked to hydroxyzine:
Common side effects:
– Sleepiness
– Headache
– Tiredness
– Dry mouth
– Dizziness
– Constipation
– Confusion (especially in older adults)
– Blurred vision
– Urinary retention
– Fatigue
– Irritability
– Tremors
– Uncontrolled movements
– Difficulty urinating
– Rapid heartbeat
– Impaired coordination
– Slow reflexes
– Seizures
– Coma
Rare side effects:
– Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
– Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
– Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (a serious skin condition)
– Cardiac side effects
– Skin reactions, such as a serious rash
– QT prolongation (a heart rhythm problem)
– Allergic reactions
It is important to understand that the list of side effects provided may not encompass all possibilities. It is also possible for there to be unlisted side effects. If you happen to experience any uncommon or severe side effects while taking hydroxyzine, it is crucial to promptly reach out to your doctor for further evaluation and guidance.
