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Why does hydroxyzine cause weight gain? Explained by Sharing Culture

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!

Asked by: Dr. Cristobal Pagac
Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)

Does hydroxyzine cause weight gain? No, hydroxyzine isn't known to cause weight gain. This side effect wasn't reported by people taking the drug in clinical studies.

Why do antihistamines cause weight gain?

Why do anti-histamines cause weight gain? Histamine decreases our hunger by in part affecting the appetite control center in our brains[2], and it makes sense an anti-histamine would have the opposite effect. These drugs can interfere with the “I'm full” signal coming from the rest of our bodies and lead to overeating.

What does hydroxyzine do to your body?

Hydroxyzine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. It also works by decreasing activity in the brain.

Does hydroxyzine suppress appetite?

Side effects of hydroxyzine that are different from Xanax include tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, problems with coordination, drying and thickening of oral and other respiratory secretions, upset stomach, confusion, nervousness, irritability, blurred or double vision, tremors, seizures, loss of appetite, and nausea.

Does hydroxyzine make you gain weight?

Does hydroxyzine cause weight gain? No, hydroxyzine isn't known to cause weight gain. This side effect wasn't reported by people taking the drug in clinical studies.

21 related questions found

Can you take hydroxyzine every night?

Hydroxyzine may be taken every day at regular times or on an as needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your healthcare provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day.

What are the most common side effects of hydroxyzine?

Common side effects of Vistaril include:

  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • blurred vision,
  • dry mouth,
  • stomach upset,
  • or headache.

What can you not take with hydroxyzine?

Certain medications (e.g., sotalol, quinidine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, droperidol, pimozide, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, probucol, tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation and should not be used in combination with hydroxyzine.

Does hydroxyzine cause memory loss?

Some subjects mentioned a minimal sedation under hydroxyzine 25 mg and under lorazepam 1 mg, but only hydroxyzine preserved memory and attention, while lorazepam caused clear deficiencies in memory recall.

Will I lose weight if I stop taking antihistamines?

However, one of the side effects associated with some antihistamines is weight gain, and some patients have even suggested they've experienced weight loss after stopping antihistamines.

Does propranolol cause weight gain?

Propranolol and weight gain

Propranolol weight gain is down to two reasons. Firstly, Propranolol very slightly reduces the body's ability to burn fat. Secondly, Propranolol causes your body to retain more fluid than normal, leading to an increase in your body weight.

Which antihistamine is least likely to cause weight gain?

Newer drugs, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin), are less likely to cause weight gain, according to Long.

Which antihistamines cause the most weight gain?

Antihistamines that can cause weight gain include:

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others)
  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  • Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
  • Fexofenadine (Allegra)
  • Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
  • Chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton)

Can histamine cause weight gain?

Histamine-1 (H1) receptor blockers commonly used to alleviate allergy symptoms are known to report weight gain as a possible side effect.

Do antihistamines make you hungry?

The researchers theorized that antihistamines have a similar chemical structure to certain psychiatric drugs that are known to be associated with weight gain. Antihistamines may also increase appetite, which can cause weight gain.

Can I stop hydroxyzine cold turkey?

Users can quit cold turkey without having to gradually taper off of the medication. The only significant side effect of Vistaril is sedation, but this effect tends to subside with time. Some patients also report experiencing mild euphoria or high from taking this medication.

Can you abruptly stop taking hydroxyzine?

This means your body starts to need the medication to function normally, and if you suddenly stop taking it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. That's not the case with hydroxyzine. In fact, unlike benzodiazepines, hydroxyzine is not a controlled substance.

Is hydroxyzine the same as Benadryl?

Hydroxyzine is a first-generation, sedating antihistamine, which means it has similar side effects to Benadryl. It is marketed under the brand names Atarax and Vistaril but is also available in generic form.

What are the long term effects of hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

Is hydroxyzine better than Benadryl?

Atarax (hydroxyzine) effectively relieves itching caused by an allergic reaction. It can also help alleviate anxiety, but isn't a first choice medicine and can make you very sleepy. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is often better than other antihistamines at treating allergy symptoms and hives.

How long does it take for hydroxyzine to get out of your system?

Hydroxyzine's half-life is about 14 hours. So it takes about 14 hours for your body to get rid of half of a dose of hydroxyzine. Typically, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your system. For hydroxyzine, this means the drug will stay in your system for about 70 hours after your last dose.

Can you build up a tolerance to hydroxyzine?

Unlike benzodiazepines, hydroxyzine is non-habit forming and does not cause tolerance, withdrawal, or memory impairment. The most significant side effect of hydroxyzine is sedation, but this tends to decrease over time.

Which is better for sleep vistaril or trazodone?

Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression. Atarax (hydroxyzine) helps relieve itching and/or anxiety while helping you to sleep. Atarax (hydroxyzine) can be given in the muscles for faster relief at a doctor's office.

Is hydroxyzine bad for your heart?

Hydroxyzine has been linked to changes in the electrical activity of the heart called QT prolongation. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms and in rare cases can be serious or life-threatening.


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