Hydroxyzine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• Mandy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2016

"Due to family illnesses, family addictions, and marital problems, I had been having severe anxiety and panic attacks that seemed to be getting worse. I was having difficulty sleeping at night. I was prescribed 50mg of Hydroxyzine up to 3 times a day as needed for anxiety. After about 10 minutes of taking my first dose, it was as if someone snapped their fingers and the weight of the world was finally lifted off my chest, and I could breathe. This really helped melt away my anxiety. I didn't feel numb or drugged, but I felt relaxed. It was like a heavy and grounded feeling. I did sleep a lot the first two days I took it, but I feel like that was due to my body finally getting to catch up on some much-needed rest. I feel like I have my life back :)"

• Kid...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2015

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I suffer from Anxiety, Depression, and Alcoholism (in recovery). I've been using Vistaril at 50 mg, three times per day for about 6 months now. I find it works well in combination with Neurontin (Gabapentin). I like that the drug is non-addictive and available as a generic with little cost. I get a stuffy nose intermittently, which I believe to be a side effect of Vistaril, but the benefit outweighs this minor side effect. I would recommend trying this drug if you suffer from anxiety. It works very well for me."

• Sketc...
• February 1, 2017

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I have been on Vistaril for a little over a week now, and I have to say that it has been an overall therapeutic and positive experience. I was on Lexapro (escitalopram) for almost 3 months and found that the medicine would make me pretty anxious, though it did level me out during a very rocky time in my life. I chose to start taking Vistaril since Lexapro wasn't effective in the ways I wanted. Now on 50mg to 100mg a day, I can say that it is easier to be focused on things that I really care about. I can usually notice the subtle change in my body when it stops working (primarily in my stomach), and I'll pop another one to stay pretty level as long as it is in my system."

• TheVi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 19, 2017

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I deal with extreme anxiety in a lot of different scenarios, likely arising out of autism. I'm on about 75 mg a day, and I cannot say I have side effects, other than waking up with a pounding heart for a few hours if I drink too heavily. I have had such good effects from the drug to the point where I can actually see major differences in how I interact with people and events and almost see a difference in my personality (for the better) over the past several years. I have recommended Vistaril to several people."

• Zozo
• October 18, 2019

"I take 25 mg hydroxyzine once a day for anxiety, and it helped me a lot! I do not have anything bad to say about this medication. I've been dealing with my mom's death, and this medication has helped me out a lot!"

• donew...
• February 9, 2015

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "I was on Cymbalta 90mg and had to stop cold turkey... thank goodness for my Atarax. I am having severe withdrawals and I take 50mg up to 4 times a day. I also use this for my anxiety. I was addicted to Klonopin so I am thankful for this non-addictive Atarax."

• Anxiety...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "The WORST experience of my life! Took one 25mg Vistaril and had the worst panic attack of my life and had harmful thoughts! Never would recommend this drug to anyone. I couldn't breathe, stop crying, and kept having suicidal thoughts like thoroughly hated myself and wanted to slit my throat. It's the day after I took it and I feel very depressed, I have a horrible headache, and it's hard for me to breathe. I have never cried so hard in my life and I'm hyperventilating that horribly until I took that stupid medication. On top of it, it didn't even work for allergies or sedation like it's supposed to. I would have voted it 0 out of 10 but the lowest it goes is 1 and a hyperventilating that horribly , until I took that stupid medication. It didn't even work for allergies or sedation like it's supposed to. You're better off just taking Benadryl an antihistamine."

• Macke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I have severe anxiety. My first psychiatrist prescribed this to me for anxiety. It did not help but did make me sleep. Now I am going to a new psychiatrist, and he is insisting I try it again! So now I am back on it. The only way it helps relieve anxiety is by knocking you out to sleep! Sure, I’m not anxious when I'm sleeping, but I can’t sleep 24/7!"

• Tink
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2018

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I’ve taken this medication on and off. I take it whenever I feel overwhelmed and I’m filled with anxiety. This medication helps me relax my mind. It’s also good when I can’t sleep at night. My doctor had told me to try it, and I have a lot of allergies to medication, so this medication has helped me with a lot of different uses: allergies, anxiety, and sedation. So I’m gonna say 10 out of 10. I recommend."

• BreeKG
• May 8, 2014

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "My experience with it. The medicine works great for itch relief (pruritus) and anxiety. I have Graves' Disease, this was to treat anxiety temporarily after a thyroid storm. The problem I had with it was it made me too drowsy to function normally. I stayed tired and experienced grumpiness and lack of patience. I've taken Xanax and Elavil before and definitely was able to work and socialize normally, unlike with this medicine. There is no way I can take it every four to six hours and function throughout the day. I've never been one to tolerate antihistamines very well, I get the shakes, etc., and experienced the same with Vistaril. All that aside, at night, it did help me sleep and ease the anxiety as it's supposed to."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2019

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "This is really not a drug for people with serious, long-term issues with anxiety. But it's also the lowest-risk prescription a doctor can write, so expect to get this as a first-line treatment in lieu of any personalized care. I have taken Vistaril on and off for nearly 10 years, and while it does help in some specific circumstances, it's just not a particularly effective drug. It basically produces a mild sedative effect that can take some of the edge off of background anxiety. If you take it on a daily basis, expect the benefits to fade somewhat. Increasing the dosage just makes you more drowsy and the side effects worse. If you can identify in advance circumstances that make your anxiety worse, taking a Vistaril before that can help alleviate things a bit. This drug will not stop or even really affect an imminent anxiety or panic attack, and even at its most effective, it won't help with many of the side effects of anxiety (rapid heartbeat, trembling, numbness, etc.)."

• Details
• August 10, 2019

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "I’ve been taking Atarax for anxiety after my doctor took me off Klonopin. It is a hard battle I have with myself now, I am getting more panic attacks now, but not as strong because of Atarax. It’s still hard, especially when my panic attacks come at night now."

• Milmil
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

"Was prescribed hydroxyzine as an alternative to Xanax for anxiety. In my experience, it doesn’t help with an anxiety attack that’s already in progress, however, it does help with stopping that on-the-edge feeling that anxiety gives, especially at night (where my anxiety is the highest). However, prepare to be very tired and wanting to sleep. I haven’t had any dreams or anything similar that others have referenced. It also really does help with allergies and especially itchiness that I get when at the gym."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2024

"I have bipolar and deal with a lot of anxiety off and on. Some days I'll feel very panicky and irritable most of the day for no reason. I was prescribed this at 10 mg. The PA said I could try half of it, it makes me tired. It does help. It definitely takes a lot of the edge off, which is what I need. I usually take the half, so 5 mg. You can get a little tired (not so much on 5 mg), but I've found you take that chance with anything that helps anxiety. For me, it takes somewhere around a half hour to work. And it's better than becoming addicted to the other stuff out there. It's simply true a lot of other stuff is very addictive. I recommend not to drive the first time you try it until you know how it affects you. I think I had the most side effects the first time I took it (at 10 mg), then after that, I was okay. I've had minimal, tolerable side effects. Nothing that would stop me from taking it. I recommend trying it."

• rose
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2019

"I have been on this for 6 months now, and I take two 25 mg capsules twice daily-once upon awakening and one before bedtime. I read others' reviews, and I can't relate. It doesn't make me sleepy, I've had no adverse effects. I don't feel any different outside of not being so 'paranoid' and just more like my normal self. Frankly, it's a Godsend."

• blott...
• March 20, 2010

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I have Chronic Anxiety associated with PTSD and chronic panic attacks. I was given this for about 4 months with no effect on my panic whatsoever. I had a doctor that was dead set against Benzodiazepines and she later put me on BuSpar for 8 months, which was also worthless. I have switched doctors and am currently on 0.5 mg of Xanax 2 times a day, and it takes care of all my symptoms."

• Relief
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I was on 3 mg Xanax for 8 years and weaned off. My anxiety returned and it was a horror show. I trembled all night long, I vomited twice from anxiety, my mind started thinking suicidal thoughts, as if my mind was searching for relief. Words cannot describe how horrible it was. I was absolutely determined to get back on Xanax because what I was experiencing was simply intolerable. My doctor prescribed this and I was certain it wouldn’t work. The first day I felt jittery and cold. The second day I woke up and didn’t want to vomit. I thought it was too good to be true. There is no way an antihistamine could help my anxiety. However, it is working. I feel great, I’m focused, confident, calm, alert, sleep well. It’s so weird, zero anxiety and clear as a bell. Thank God for this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2012

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "Developed a flaky skin rash and went to see my OBGYN about it. It became a vicious circle: scratch, then it would flake, which made me scratch even more, etc. He took several samples and said it was not a rash but dermatitis caused by anxiety. So, he prescribed Atarax and told me to take half a pill each day for a month. I didn't even realize I was suffering from anxiety until he mentioned it. So, I have been taking it when I feel anxious (about halfway through my menstrual cycle) and it has helped. No side effects so far and I feel better, like taking the edge off and calming me down."

• Kari
• August 25, 2019

"My MD prescribed hydroxyzine for anxiety. I got night sweats, dizziness, headaches... and more. I was taking it for 2 months. It made my anxiety worse, so I stopped it totally. Be careful with this med, try not to take it. I am feeling really good now and spent time going out to social worlds again. I wish everyone the best. You are stronger than you think."

• ScudR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 24, 2016

"I decided to try this medication for anxiety after reading several studies indicating that hydroxyzine is roughly equal to benzodiazepines for anxiety relief. I must say, I have been quite impressed by this medicine. It's just as strong as Xanax for me, but it doesn't make me forgetful. My quality of life has improved quite a bit since I started this medicine."

• Nikki...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "This drug is amazingly sedating. After reading the reviews, I was reluctant to take it, thinking it would not work. Boy, was I wrong. Sadly, I am starting antidepressant therapy, and my anxiety is through the roof. I was given Ativan but am reluctant to take it often for fear of tolerance and addiction. The Vistaril has really worked at calming me down after increased anxiety, especially when worrying when trying to fall off to sleep. It shut down the worry and made me slow down, which in my case is what I needed. I only took 10 mg and caution against driving or other activities until you know how it will affect you."

• Curly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2020

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "I was taking Atarax before going to sleep 5 years ago and taking sertraline (in the morning). Then one day I got mixed up, took Atarax instead of sertraline (they look alike). I was ready to go to sleep in the middle of the mall. This drug made me very sluggish and just straight-up sleepy. Wouldn't recommend operating while on it."

• Freebir
• September 25, 2009

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "This little pill is great if used rarely because I myself become very tolerant of Atarax if I use it for more than 2 days in a row. If you are really stressed, tense, or suffer from anxiety, I think it's the best because it's not real habit-forming! The only downfall for me is that even in the 25mg dose, it causes quite the hangover or I should say a daze for about 5 to 8 hours the next day, but no extreme side effects - just really relaxed."

• Someone...
• August 21, 2018

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I’ve taken Vistaril on and off for more than 12 years. I have PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorder. I’ve tried at least 7 different meds before I was properly diagnosed and treated with the correct medication. Vistaril and Celexa are always my go-to, they have saved my life. Vistaril is great for anxiety and panic. I keep it in my system, and it works!!! Good luck."

• Ellio...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2016

Atarax (hydroxyzine) "Really good!!!!! I like Atarax. Because: not addictive, makes me calm (and sleepy), calms anger, restlessness, and anxiety altogether. I am also on Cymbalta, and without Cymbalta, the Atarax would probably be less effective. Atarax is my go-to when I'm anxious, and I love it:)"