SIDE EFFECTS: Hydroxyzine can commonly cause sedation, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, drying and thickening of oral and other respiratory secretions, and stomach distress. Hydroxyzine may also cause confusion, nervousness, irritability, blurred vision, double vision, tremor, loss or appetite, or nausea. Hydroxyzine should be used with caution (if at all) in persons with narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate gland), hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and asthma.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Hydroxyzine adds to (exaggerates) the sedating effects of alcohol and other drugs that can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic class of pain medications and its derivatives (e.g. , Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Codeine, Darvon), the tricyclic class of antidepressants (e.g. Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), and certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres, Inderal). Hydroxyzine can also intensify the drying effects of other medications with anticholinergic properties (e.g., Bentyl, Urecholine, Probanthine, Elavil, Thorazine.) When using these drugs, the dose of hydroxyzine may require reduction, therefore.