Because both hydroxyzine and alcohol depress the central nervous system, using them together can be dangerous.Hydroxyzine is thought to be a safe drug for most people. In addition, hydroxyzine should not be used in patients who:You should also avoid hydroxyzine if you are currently drinking alcohol. The information has been screened and edited by health professionals to contain objective information on diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.Drinking alcohol together with hydroxyzine can increase side effects on the nervous system and reduce mental alertness. Therefore, your brain becomes very sensitive to glutamate. These drugs can cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Drinking alcohol together with hydroxyzine can increase side effects on the nervous system and reduce mental alertness. Contains bibliographic reference sources. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Two important chemicals in your brain are glutamate and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA).Glutamate excites the brain, while GABA calms it. Drugs like benzodiazepines work because they fit the GABA receptors in your brain. Patients should be monitored for an… Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Therefore, they can calm your brain down.Hydroxyzine does not affect the GABA or glutamate receptors in your brain. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Alcohol enhances the effects of GABA. The The main reason that hydroxyzine does not work well for AWS has to do with the reason AWS occurs in the first place. Your body produces histamine when it comes into contact with a substance it thinks may be harmful. Serious Interactions. You are at much higher risk of side effects if you are an older adult.Important points to remember about hydroxyzine and withdrawing from alcohol include:Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. Has a calming effect … Some of these changes include decreased inhibition, aggressiveness, agitation, and hallucinations. Side effects of drinking alcohol while taking this medication include dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. @1997-2020 ND2A Group. In this way, the drug stops histamine from stimulating those cells. A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of most anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics. Effective at relieving itching due to allergies or dermatitis (eczema). We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.This medical web page has been reviewed and validated by a health professional. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as tremors, confusion, seizures, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Informational purposes only. ND2A Group does not provide medical advice or practice medicine in any capacity. When you drink a lot of alcohol, there is not a lot of glutamate going around. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of hydroxyzine. Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in... Hydroxyzine belongs to the antihistamine drug class. Side effects of drinking alcohol while taking this medication include dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. In other words, taking both drugs together means that they can amplify each other’s effects, leading to more pronounced side effects like drowsiness or mental impairment. Alcohol and hydroxyzine should not be used together because they can depress your brain’s functioning If you or someone you know struggles with addiction and wants to begin the recovery process, medically supervised detox in a reputable rehab center is an excellent first step. Does Hydroxyzine Hcl Interact with other Medications? It is for this reason that hydroxyzine does not work well in AWS patients.Hydroxyzine is no longer considered to be a first-line, or even a second-line, drug for AWS patients. When you take the drug, it binds to histamine receptors in your body to block them. These medications may interact and cause very harmful effects. It is typically prescribed for a few different reasons:Hydroxyzine was one of the drugs often used to treat the symptoms of AWS Hydroxyzine is not meant to be the main drug used for treating AWS. However, doctors try to avoid the drug, especially if you are 65 years old or older. The drug also has sedative properties. For that reason, doctors are unlikely to use it in most patients. It is a prescription medicine that is used to treat allergic reactions. Donepezil ( Aricept ®) Galantamine ( Razadyne ™) Rivastigmine ( Exelon ®) Tacrine ( Cognex ®) Upsides. When you stop drinking all of a sudden, your brain is then overexcited from all the glutamate in your brain, because no GABA is blocking it.