Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Hydroxyzine as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Hydroxyzine use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with hydroxyzine, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Vision changes
- Hydroxyzine use can result in obstruction to the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye. This can result in increase in the intraocular pressure, leading to glaucoma. Individuals can present with eye pain, headache, and blurred vision with haloes around light.
Gastrointestinal side-effects
- Hydroxyzine can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy or ice chips can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
Genitourinary side-effects
- Hydroxyzine use can result in difficulty emptying the bladder and passing urine. Individuals with history of prostate enlargement and consequently, have difficulty passing urine can be at increased discomfort with emptying the bladder, secondary to hydroxyzine intake.
