Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 6/2/2009

Question
Is it safe to take Novo-hydroxyzin HCI25mg while taking Pms-Citalopram 20 mg? My doctor prescribed the first med for hives due to stress and the citalopram I have been on before for anxiety and depression.Im just starting back on the citalopram after being off it for 4 weeks due to financial difficulty which will not happen again.

Answer
Hi Jennifer,
This combination is likely to make you vry sleepy, if taken during day time it might affect your skills like typing, but more seriously it might affect driving. I would not advice it.
Instead cetirizine might be a better option, yet sedation is likely though less than with hydroxyzine.
Ravi Ghooi