Vistaril User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• JuneC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2014

For Anxiety "I am 34/Female with marked panic attacks. I have health /doctor office anxiety. I have to say Vistaril has done wonders for me. It seemed to take a few weeks before I could really feel it's effects though. I have to keep a small amount in my system before it helps with a panic attack. I can take 1-2 25 mg pills 3 X a day as needed for anxiety. I usually take 1/2 of a 25 mg pill twice a day. When I feel an attack starting, I take another 1 to 1 1/2 pills. It stops the attack quickly. I feel like I've got my life back some, & it feels like a safety blanket. It does dry my mouth out though & I only recommend it for marked anxiety. I do not have any depression."

• Icant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2016

For Anxiety "I used to take this medication for panic attacks, and it worked absolute wonders. It took about 30 minutes to kick in but really calmed me down and it wasn't at all addictive. I later found out I have severe hereditary liver problems and it has a bad interaction with what I have to take to keep my liver in check, so I can no longer take it. With the medicines combined I just felt foggy and had to sleep for at least 15 hours if I had to take a vistaril, I couldn't keep my eyes open and function until I'd slept it off. I'm now trying out Xanax, and I don't really like it, vistaril kept me calm longer and was just amazing when I needed it. With Xanax the half life is just terrible and I end up with a worse panic attack than I began with."

• soldier...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2015

For Anxiety "For anyone taking this medication, do not take it with any kind of antidepressants or mood medication like Celexa, zoloft, tegretol, Xanax, or abilify. Definitely do not take it with ambien. It works wonders by itself, I've been on it since 2005 it helps with the anxiety symptoms I get from my PTSD. Anytime I feel disoriented or way to anxious where I'm throwing up, it usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes to work. But it's better than the feeling of thinking that you are having a heart attack, because it's just panic. Panic attacks can be managed many ways I use breathing techniques, (child breathing will not work lol) meditation, and medication. This is how I deal with that small aspect of my PTSD psychosis."

• brett...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2016

For Anxiety "This stuff is like an OTC version of Benadryl (it's an anti-histamine). It has been helping me ween off of the Klonopin I've been taking to help me sleep for the last 2 years. This stuff takes almost an hour to kick in, but when it does, it almost always kills my anxiety at times when benzos didn't. If you're gonna take it for sleep, take it at least an hour before you plan on going to bed and make sure you have 8 to 9 hours to sleep because it will knock you out. Grogginess is it's biggest negative, along with tolerance building up fast, so I try to take every other day if I can, though it's non-addictive and safe to take regularly at least far safer than a benzo."

• Sketc...
• February 1, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on Visitril 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 (escitolopram) for almost 3 months and found that the medicine would make me pretty anxious though did level me out during a very rocky time in my life . I chose to start taking Visitril since the lexapro wasn't effective in ways I wanted and now on 50mg to 100 mg a day, I can say that it is easier to be focused on things that I really care about and I can usually notice the subtle change in my body when it stops working (in my stomach primarily) and I'll pop another one and will stay pretty level as long as it is in my system."

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

For Anxiety "I deal with extreme anxiety in a lot of different scenarios likely rising out of autism. I'm on about 75mg 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."

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

For Anxiety "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."

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

For Anxiety "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 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, that I believe to be a side effect of Vistatil, 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."

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

For Anxiety "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, to anxiety to sedation. So I’m gonna day 10 our of 10 I recommend."

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

For Anxiety "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 Im sleeping, but I can’t sleep 24/7!"

• JC9
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

For Anxiety "Was given this for anxiety during alcohol withdrawl, instead of benzos. Did NOTHING positive, no relief of anxiety, became dehydrated, sore hips, unstable gait, worst placebo possible due to the side effects. Benzodiazepines exist for a reason. If Vistaril does not offer you immediate relief, you need something else, not a higher dose which just makes things worse."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2019

For Anxiety "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 it's most effective it won't help with many of the side effects of anxiety (rapid heart beat, trembling, numbness etc)"

• BreeKG
• May 8, 2014

For Anxiety "My experience with it. The medicine works great for itch relief (pruritis) and anxiety. I have Graves Disease, this was to treat anxiety temporarily after thyroid storm. The problem I had with it was it made me to doped feeling 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, socialize normally unlike 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 the Vistaril. All that aside, at night it did help me sleep, help the anxiety as it's supposed too."

• Roachie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 5, 2013

For Allergic Urticaria "Have taken Vistaril for nearly 30 years for hives that seem to be associated with exposure to hot/cold temperatures or emotional stress. A 5mg dose rapidly eliminates hives and has a lasting effect for 2-3 days. My doctor gives me an annual prescription for 30, 25mg tablets which I cut into four pieces. I only take 1/4 tablet therefore this very small dose completely resolves the hives for several days with minimal side effects consisting of slight drowsiness. For me, it is a marvelous medicine. Cost, even without insurance is extremely small."

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

For Anxiety "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 addition. 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 10mg and caution against driving or other activities until you know how it will affect you."

• blott...
• March 20, 2010

For Anxiety "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 Benzodiazapines and she later put me on BuSpar for 8 months which was also worthless. I have switched doctors and am currently on 0.5mg of Xanax 2 x day and it takes care of all my symptoms. "

• Someone...
• August 21, 2018

For Anxiety "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 "

• Lea
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Anxiety "My psychiatrist prescribed me Vistaril for anxiety after trying plenty of other drugs. (Celexa, Lexapro and Klonopin I was also trying other drugs like Prozac, Ritalin and intuniv). The first couple days it had made me tired but a like with all antihistamines I've ever taken, it wears off incredibly quickly and I build a tolerance quite quickly. I was specifically prescribed it for anxiety but as far as that goes, I haven't noticed a difference whatsoever. My anxiety is pretty severe and I've had it since I was really young. Although, everyone is different and this will work differently for everyone. I have been taking it for about three and a half weeks and the only reason I still take it is because I get nausea and allergies. But I haven't noticed a dent in my anxiety with it. I've always needed something relatively strong for my anxiety."

• Lee
• October 26, 2020

For Sedation "Took Vistaril once and scared to take it again- I've taken clonazepam for insomnia and that feeling of drowsy is a gentle lull, benadryl is like a mildly hazy pull to sleep.... within 30 min of taking hydroxamine I felt like I was being forced against my will to sleep, and I couldn't help but resist, completely defeating the purpose. I want to see if it'll help but man that feeling was scary."

• Jay...
• May 13, 2011

For Anxiety "I'm on SSD because of severe Social Anxiety Disorder, Bi-polar Disorder II with panic, and OCD. I've run the gamut with benzos and frankly, am better off without them. They're too addicting. Vistaril is a nice alternative. It's milder and is about 75% as effective as say, Klonopin or Ativan. It works for me."

• Panic...
• May 2, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from "AAD" & Panic Disorder for most of my life. Took my 1st "classic" panic attack in the 5th grade!!! I was Finally diagnosed at 23. I'm have been treated with xanax, clonopin and ativan for this awful condition ever since. I am now 43. Because of all the Abuse of these meds though by people that don't need it for anything except to "get high" makes me furious!!! Because where I live in N.J.,no kind of doctor wants to prescribe any kind of benzo anymore. It's awful because these meds help so many people. I was just yanked, not weaned, off the xanax and given Vistaril 100mg 3 times a day. This is the Most awful medication I have ever taken In my life!!! I had such horrible S/E's I went to the E.R.!!! TERRIBLE MED!!!"

• Anony...
• August 21, 2010

For Anxiety "I do feel like this medicine calms me, without any side effects whatsoever. Not for someone looking for a mood change like with benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin). I love that it doesn't make me tired or loopy feeling. That said, my anxiety is not as bad as some people have it, so maybe this is not strong enough for others. No withdrawal or addictive qualities make it definitely worth trying before going to something stronger, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2013

For Anxiety "My doctor had prescribed this for me because my anxiety ramps up when I'm trying to sleep. He started me out at 25 mg/day. While on it, I would sleep 16 hours, be a zombie for the 8 I was awake, and have really trippy dreams and terrifying nightmares - both of which felt 100% real and some of them I had to ask if they happened. I was cut back to 12.5 mg/day and I'm only sleeping 12 hours and groggy for four. I still have weird dreams, but they don't seem completely real as often. I have not been on it long enough for my body to adjust, so this may lessen as time goes on. It does help with the anxiety and panic attacks, although I won't drive after I've taken it so I can only take it at home."

• Tryph...
• June 27, 2014

For Anxiety "This stuff was the pits. A half hour after I took my first pill, I was falling asleep. The tiredness became extremely intense. I had to cancel my plans for the evening and lay down. I was so crazy exhausted that I became anxious. I asked my prescriber for antianxiety medication. I have mild anxiety that makes me uncomfortable. This stuff just made me worse than a couch potato. Several hours later I got intestinal cramps. Then I started throwing up. "

• CJ184...
• September 7, 2017

For Anxiety "Worst medication ever. You can't function after you take it and you feel terrible for days after. It's basically benadryl ( a sedating antihistamine). Does nothing for anxiety expect make you feel weird and uncomfortable then puts you to sleep. Another sorry excuse, poor man's anti anxiety med. Stay away. If your doctor prescribes they are an idiot"