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You might have been prescribed hydroxyzine because you had an allergic reaction—or even to manage anxiety symptoms. One of its side effects is drowsiness. Naturally, you are wondering, “Can I drink coffee while taking hydroxyzine?” It’s a common question, especially if you need to take this medication during daytime hours.
“Hydroxyzine is an interesting drug because it can be prescribed for a variety of different uses,” says Frank J. Contacessa, MD, an internist at MDVIP in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “It can be used to treat nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as allergic conditions like chronic itching and rashes.”
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Do hydroxyzine and caffeine interact?
According to the experts, there are no harmful hydroxyzine interactions with caffeine. “There is no significant interaction between hydroxyzine and caffeine,” says Brandon Cometti, MD, a dermatologist at Roswell Skin Center in New Mexico. “Hydroxyzine is a sedating antihistamine, so it can make you drowsy, while caffeine is a stimulant, so it can make you more alert. The effects may cancel each other out a bit, but there are no harmful interactions.”
How much caffeine can you have with hydroxyzine?
Even though there isn’t a limit to the amount of caffeine you can have with hydroxyzine, taking too much caffeine can be harmful. “There is no specific limit,” Dr. Cometti says. “You can drink your normal amount of caffeine. In general, it is best to limit caffeine to less than about 400 mg a day—that’s equal to about four 8 oz cups of brewed coffee [or five shots of espresso].”
Can I drink coffee while taking hydroxyzine?
“It is not harmful for people to drink coffee while taking antihistamines for allergies,” Dr. Cometti says. In fact, caffeine could help counteract the sedating effects of antihistamines, according to Dr. Cometti.
Some people even choose to drink caffeine to help them feel less drowsy. “It’s safe to take hydroxyzine and drink coffee or take meds that contain caffeine. In fact, some people prefer drinking coffee after taking hydroxyzine because the former is a stimulant that can alleviate drowsiness caused by hydroxyzine,” says Po-Chang Hsu, MD, a medical content expert for Sleeping Ocean.
Because there is no harmful interaction between hydroxyzine and caffeine, it’s okay to mix hydroxyzine and coffee in many cases. “It is perfectly fine to drink coffee while taking hydroxyzine,” Dr. Cometti says. “If you are taking hydroxyzine for allergies and need to stay more awake and alert, coffee or caffeine may help a bit.”
However, drinking coffee with caffeine may be a concern if you’re also taking hydroxyzine for anxiety. “Caffeine is a stimulant that makes the nervous system and the brain more alert, which means coffee can aggravate anxiety symptoms,” says Dr. Hsu.
On top of that, “if you’re being prescribed hydroxyzine for insomnia, drinking too much coffee can offset the therapeutic effects of the drug,” says Dr. Contacessa. Dr. Hsu agrees, “Caffeine is a stimulant that can counteract the sedating side effects of hydroxyzine.”
Hydroxyzine interactions
While taking hydroxyzine you do not need to avoid any foods, but you should limit alcohol. “It is best to avoid alcohol or other medications that can also cause sedation, as the combination can cause excessive sleepiness, dizziness, and fatigue,” says Dr. Cometti. If you drink alcohol while taking hydroxyzine, that can cause you to feel drowsier.
Medications that could increase drowsiness while taking hydroxyzine:
- Cogentin (benztropine)
- Zyrtec (cetirizine)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Diskets (methadone)
- Edluar (zolpidem)
There might be other medications that interact with hydroxyzine so speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking other medications with hydroxyzine.
