Charles Lyquid asked
Can I take Hydroxyzine 25 mg nightly with Prednisone 20 mg? Thank you.
At a glance
- Hydroxyzine and prednisone are safe to take together. There is no known drug interaction between them.
Answer
Hydroxyzine can safely be taken with prednisone as there is no known interaction between them.
This applies to both forms of hydroxyzine available:
- Hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax)
- Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril)
Additionally, they don't share many common side effects.
The most common side effects for hydroxyzine include:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Headache
The most common side effects for prednisone include:
- Insomnia
- Upset stomach
- Restlessness
- Increased blood sugar
- Weight gain (long term use)
To reduce the incidence of nausea with both medications, you can take them with food.
Below is some additional information regarding hydroxyzine.
About Hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, similar to meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy).
Although classified as an antihistamine, it most commonly is used to treat itching, anxiety, and insomnia, not seasonal/perennial allergies. It is used for anxiety due to its sedative properties.
Hydroxyzine is fast-acting, with an onset of action between 15-30 minutes after taking a dose by mouth. The typical duration of action is 4 to 6 hours.
Hydroxyzine is available by prescription as two different salt forms:
- Hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax)
- Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril)
Dosages of hydroxyzine pamoate and hydroxyzine hydrochloride are considered equivalent.
However, there is some thought that the pamoate salt form is more sedating and therefore, more effective in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. This has not been definitively proven, however.
References
- Hydroxyzine Prescribing Information. Pfizer
- Prednisone Prescribing Information. AccessFDA
- PharmacistAnswers DrugBank Interaction Checker. Interaction Checker
