Can Hydroxyzine cause weight gain?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can Hydroxyzine cause weight gain?
Yes, Hydroxyzine can cause weight gain. However, the drug can also make you lose weight. During clinical trials, a number of different weight-related effects of the drug were observed. Some people lost weight on it, while others gained some pounds.
It’s hard to say for sure how this medication will act on you or any specific individual. Some people may report weight loss while taking Hydroxyzine, which is not listed as a commonly expected side effect.
This is why it’s important to monitor your side effects properly and report them to your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
What does research suggest?
The weight gain associated with Hydroxyzine is quite uncertain and it’s not that commonly reported in clinical studies. However, some people have gained weight on this medication (1).
Several research studies have tried to explain why we see such different effects of Hydroxyzine in different individuals. Hydroxyzine is an anti-allergy medication or antihistamine which is used to control allergic reactions in your body (2).
The drug, however, can act on a lot of other non-related receptors as well and may cause weight gain as a side effect. The exact explanation as to why and how it makes you put on some extra pounds is uncertain, but some experts believe that it can slow down your metabolism and your fat-burning processes.
When it happens, you begin to gain weight. Some people may not experience any weight gain on Hydroxyzine. Some may even lose a few pounds as the drug can make some people lose their appetite.
Every human body is different and so are the effects produced by this medication. You just have to monitor your side effects and manage them accordingly.
What to do if Hydroxyzine makes you gain weight?
There are a few things you can do if Hydroxyzine makes you gain weight. Some of these include:
Talk to your healthcare about Hydroxyzine-induced weight gain
The first and basic approach to getting rid of Hydroxyzine-induced weight gain is to talk to your healthcare provider. If your medication continues to make you gain weight, no matter what you do or how much you work out, you will not lose that weight.
Instead, it will further drag you towards depression and may meddle with your recovery. This is why you need to make sure whether or not you should continue to use Hydroxyzine.
The time duration of treatment with Hydroxyzine is usually not that long, but it depends on the condition for which you’re taking this medication. If you continue to gain weight, your doctor may ask you to discontinue taking Hydroxyzine. However, make sure you don’t stop using this medication without your doctor’s approval.
Do not take this medication if not necessary
Hydroxyzine is prescribed for the purpose of treating your body’s allergic response to either an internal or an external allergen. However, the drug may be misused and people may continue to take it for a longer period of time because it can reduce your anxiety and help you fall asleep.
This longer-than-directed use of Hydroxyzine can make you gain more weight if you suffer from this side effect. Make sure you use this medication till your doctor asks you to, no more or less than that.
Eat healthy foods
Your diet is extremely important when you’re trying to lose some weight. It doesn’t matter how you gained it, but if you’re not eating right, there’s nothing else you can do to lose it without harming your body.
In order to lose weight seriously, you should change your unhealthy eating patterns. Steer clear of sugar and complex carbohydrates. Dieting does not necessarily mean completely stopping eating what you love. Dieting is portion control. You can eat literally everything, just in a minimal amount.
Exercise
Exercise can also make a huge difference in not just your weight, but your entire health. If we begin to list out the benefits of exercise, we will surely run out of words to write. Even if your weight gain is related to medication, exercise can help you lose it.
It will also help strengthen your body against the other harmful effects of the drug. A good workout routine can also make you feel good and stress-free by releasing happy chemicals in your brain. It can also boost your motivation and energy levels. Make sure you exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week.
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References
1.-
Ferreri M, Hantouche EG, Billardon M. Intérêt de l’hydroxyzine dans le trouble anxiété généralisée: étude contrôlée en double aveugle versus placebo [Value of hydroxyzine in generalized anxiety disorder: controlled double-blind study versus placebo]. Encephale. 1994 Nov-Dec;20(6):785-91. French. PMID: 7875114. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7875114/
2.-
MedlinePlus. Hydroxyzine: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2023 Jan 20]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682866.html
