My doctor said that this is used to treat itching and anxiety. My rosacea got out of hand, caused me terrible itching. My doctor prescribed hydroxyzine hcl to combat the itching so that I can sleep. Is this a good sleep aid, for instance, when you start a new antidepressant that can cause insomnia, to counteract the start up sleep problems?
Can hydroxyzine hcl be used as a sleep aid?
Question posted by GMc on 21 Dec 2020
Last updated on 22 December 2020 by Fawn Strader
3 Answers
Fawn Strader
22 Dec 2020
Yes. My husband was prescribed this med for sleep. It works for him. Technically, I believe it is an antihistamine and therefore doesn't cause a next morning hangover like some of the popular sleeping pills.
Klonopinkid
22 Dec 2020
Hydroxyzine is fine as a sleep aid. I am transitioning to buspar for anxiety. It takes like 100mg to knock me out for 3 hours in the beginning because my anxiety is so bad. So don't be scared if 10-20 mg makes you sleep. You might be drowsy in the morning though if you take too much.
WildcatVet
22 Dec 2020
Hi. GMc!!!
Yes, if advised and prescribed by a health care professional:
"Since hydroxyzine also reduces activity in the central nervous system, it can be used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension.
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more of users): Sleepiness (up to 13.74%), drowsiness"
There is, however, the potential with some antidepressants to cause an irregular heart rhythm in rare cases and with others to cause dizziness and over sedation so it should only be used if prescribed by a doctor.
Best regards and best wishes for the New Year!
Wildcat
Related topics
rosacea, anxiety, insomnia, pruritus, hairy cell leukemia, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, hydroxyzine, sleep, doctor, prescription, sleep aids, sleep disorder, hand, sleep aid
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