Does Hydroxyzine Interact With Zoloft? (3+ Side Effects)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 02/01/2024 | Next review date: 02/01/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss the interactions between Zoloft and Hydroxyzine. We will also discuss what side effects one may experience by combining these two medications and what are the alternatives to Hydroxyzine while taking Zoloft.

Does Hydroxyzine interact with Zoloft?

Yes, Hydroxyzine does interact with Zoloft in terms of side effects. Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine which is sedative in nature. Sertraline (Zoloft), on the other hand, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. It is not suitable to take Hydroxyzine and Zoloft together because of the potential health risks.

Hydroxyzine, a piperazine derivative, is sometimes used to treat anxiety. Because of drowsiness and sedative effects, it is often used as a short-term solution for anxiety or insomnia (1).

It is important to note that individuals respond differently to antidepressants. Therefore, individuals who experience sedation as a side effect of Zoloft are more vulnerable to increased dizziness and drowsiness when combining Hydroxyzine with Zoloft.

What are the potential risks of taking Hydroxyzine and Zoloft together?

Combined use of Hydroxyzine and Zoloft can increase the risk of certain side effects, primarily related to central nervous system (CNS) depression. Since both these medications can cause dizziness and sedation, their combined use can intensify the risk of these side effects.

Additionally combining these medications may also cause dry mouth, difficulty urination, headache and impaired cognitive and motor skills.

There are some common side effects of Zoloft and Hydroxyzine that patients may experience due to drug-patient interaction rather than Zoloft and Hydroxyzine interaction.

Common side effects of Hydroxyzine include (2):

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Constipation
Weight gain

Common side effects of Zoloft include (3):

Nausea
Diarrhoea
Insomnia (though some people may experience sedation)
Tiredness
Anxiety
Sexual dysfunction
Acid reflux

Risk of serotonin syndrome

The risk of serotonin syndrome is generally higher when multiple medications that affect CNS are used together like Zoloft and Hydroxyzine. It is a life-threatening condition characterized by excess serotonin in the brain resulting in symptoms such as agitation, confusion, muscle rigidity and high blood pressure.

If you experience any of such symptoms while taking Zoloft and Hydroxyzine together, reach out to your healthcare provider.

What are the potential benefits of taking Zoloft and Hydroxyzine together?

Patients experiencing insomnia due to Zoloft may find relief by using Hydroxyzine, for allergy symptoms, as its sedative effects could potentially counter the sleep disturbances leading to improved sleep quality.

However, you should always discuss such drug combinations with your doctor before you start taking them. People are different and they can have different factors affecting their health.

What to do if you have taken Hydroxyzine and Zoloft together?

If you have taken the two medications together once or twice, it will most likely not harm you. The concomitant use of these medications for a long time can produce side effects related to central nervous system depression.

If you experience severe side effects or any other concerning symptoms while taking these medications together, contact your healthcare provider immediately. They may adjust the dosages or recommend alternative treatments if necessary. Always report any side effects to your healthcare provider to ensure safety and well-being during treatment.

If you are struggling to fall asleep, especially during the early course of treatment with Zoloft, talk to your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take Hydroxyzine for sleep.

Alternatives to Hydroxyzine while taking Zoloft

If you are taking Zoloft for depression and need an alternative to Hydroxyzine for allergy relief, there are alternative medications you may consider having fewer side effects. They include:

Second-generation antihistamines: Use second-generation antihistamines like Claritin (Loratadine) and Zyrtec (Cetirizine) as they are considered safer options to manage allergy symptoms without causing significant drowsiness (4).

Saline nasal rinses: Using saline solution for nasal irrigation can help relieve congestion and nasal irritation without any drug interactions.

Natural remedies: Some people find relief from allergy symptoms with natural remedies like local honey and steam inhalation.

Conclusion

Individuals undergoing dual therapy with Hydroxyzie and Zoloft should establish a routine of periodic check-ups and communicate with their healthcare provider. They may suggest alternative treatments or medications if there is a concern about interactions.