Can you drink alcohol with Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)?
Here is what the FDA-approved label for Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) actually says about alcohol — transcribed, not a secondhand guess.
Hydroxyzine and alcohol, from the label
The label addresses alcohol in its Precautions. It cautions that the effect of alcohol may be increased by hydroxyzine, because hydroxyzine potentiates the action of central nervous system depressants (it names narcotics, non-narcotic analgesics, and barbiturates). Patients are advised against the simultaneous use of other CNS depressant drugs. This is an additive CNS-depression/sedation caution, not a disulfiram-like flushing reaction.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink alcohol while taking Hydroxyzine?
The label flags caution rather than an outright ban. Hydroxyzine and alcohol can add up (summarized above), so if you drink, do so carefully and know your own tolerance — and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines.
How long after Hydroxyzine can you drink alcohol?
There is no single number that fits every drug, and the safe gap depends on why the two interact — a drug that adds to alcohol's sedation is a concern while it is still in your system, while a disulfiram-type reaction (like metronidazole's) is avoided during treatment and for a labeled period after the last dose. Follow the specific guidance above and ask the prescriber who wrote the prescription; do not guess a window.
What happens if you drink on Hydroxyzine?
The specific effect is described above, from the label. In most cases it means additive drowsiness and impaired coordination, or added strain on an organ the drug already affects — worse with more alcohol and in older adults. If you feel unwell after mixing the two, stop drinking and seek advice; call 911 for trouble breathing, fainting, or a rapid irregular heartbeat.
More guides for Hydroxyzine
Source
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The alcohol interaction is transcribed from this drug’s FDA-approved label. This is general reference information, not medical advice. If you drink and take medication regularly, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific situation.