Atarax (hydroxyzine HCL) and weight gain

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I've been taking one to three 25 mg doses of Hydroxyzine most days during my taper, mainly as a precautionary measure and to help with sleep. Suddenly, however, I seem to have gained five or more pounds, mostly in my gut. A Google search shows that other people experience the same thing. Is there any research that confirms this? I've been the same skinny weight for 19 years (since puberty). This is just weird but not necessarily alarming...yet. Might just take valerian root to help with sleep.