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Atarax User Reviews & Ratings

Atarax has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 144 reviews on Drugs.com. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 30% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Atarax

  • Sleep...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 25, 2020

For Anxiety "The short version of my review: I love this medication. I was prescribed atarax at 35 weeks pregnant for insomnia and panic attacks/GAD. I was having crazy nightmares before I started taking it as well. The first few times I took it, it made me very tired but eventually that stopped happening- it makes it easy for me to fall asleep but not overly tired, and I’m not groggy in the morning. I have had to take it during the day for extreme anxiety or panic attacks and sometimes it slows me down a little but nothing crazy. I’m in recovery from drug addiction, so narcotic anxiety meds were not an option for me. I am so thankful I found this medication because it really helps me but doesn’t really give me any side effects. The one thing that I don’t like is that it makes me dizzy if I take it on an empty stomach, but usually I’ll just take it with a granola bar or yogurt and that’s enough to keep the dizziness at bay."

9 / 10
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  • Pinky...
  • December 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been taking atarax for about 2 years now and I can honestly say it’s such a relief for my anxiety . The only thing about the medication is it doesn’t have a long effect like other medications . So I take this medication 3x a day . I suffer from PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder and my anxiety and worry is over the roof , when I take this medication it has a calming effect and I’m able to think logically and calm myself down if I start getting anxious . I have not gained weight on it I been in my weight loss journey with this medication and haven’t had a weight gain issue . I recommend this medication !"

9 / 10
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303 Report
  • Joso
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 23, 2020

For Anxiety "Had a few panic attacks shortly before my son was born. Went to a psychiatrist and they prescribed 50mg of Atarax. I found that a whole pills knocks me out and leaves me groggy for a few days but I cut the pill in half and it works great. Put you to sleep within a hour or so but the next day the tightness in my chest was gone and my anxiety was also gone. I only take it when the physical symptoms are too much and I can't enjoy life. I've had it the prescription for over a year and only taken it a half dozen times or so."

7 / 10
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212 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Sam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 30, 2020

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed the 10 mg dose of this medicine Atarax with the directions that I could take 1/2-1 tablet once daily for acute anxiety and 2-3 tablets at night for insomnia. I took 1/2 tablet for the first time around 6:15 pm and I was out cold by 7 pm. I slept until 7:45 am and had to get up for an appointment. I could barely drag myself out of bed and if I hadn’t only been going 2 miles from home, I wouldn’t have been able to drive myself. I came home and slept on and off til about 3 pm, when I finally started to feel more like normal. I guess you could say it helped my anxiety, because you can’t feel anxious if you’re unconscious! But there is no possible way I could ever take this medicine and go to work or get anything productive accomplished. I am going to hold on to it in case I have a major anxiety episode that I need to just sleep through, but at my follow up appointment I will definitely request that we try something else."

2 / 10
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  • Tori
  • November 5, 2020

For Anxiety "Atarax works great for my anxiety! I was on Xanax for many years to treat my GAD. I stopped and started using Atarax, 25mg 3 times a day. It will make you sleepy, although for me, it’s way better than experiencing constant worry and anxiety."

8 / 10
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169 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • meggix
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 23, 2020

For Anxiety "For me, Atarax works for anxiety! I've taken half a pill as needed for anxiety. I have GAD with panic attacks, and it calms me down. I will say though, on an empty stomach, it does make me dizzy. Overall really good med!"

9 / 10
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134 Report
  • waslo...
  • October 3, 2014

For Anxiety "Has changed my life. I didn't know how bad my anxiety was until I got relief from Atarax!! I don't even need anywhere near the full dose to relieve my constant building thoughts of what I should be doing or may not be able to do because of my other debilitating illnesses. I am so grateful!! I no longer feel constantly wound so tight I might snap!"

10 / 10
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267 Report

More FAQ

  • Nicole
  • September 10, 2014

For Anxiety "I have tried a lot of different medications for my anxiety, and nothing has ever worked, that is; until I was prescribed Atarax. I was going through some very, very stressful times and had to go on something. Nothing has ever helped me, not Paxil, Lexapro, Effexor, Zoloft. I know that is a lot of different ones! But this is spread out over many years of trying new ones, not one of them really worked for me, and I had lots of bad side effects from them. Atarax was one that I had never heard of, till the doctor prescribed it to me. Immediately it works. You take it, and within 30 mins it kicks in, and last for hours. You can take one or two at a time, every six hours. The only side effect is sleepiness, and I did experience this."

10 / 10
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260 Report
  • Cupcake
  • November 3, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been taking this medication Atarax for 4 years now, I take it for my severe panic and anxiety attacks it has helped me so much ! This medicine is wonderful! It’s a sedative that dr uses for patients after surgery or before ! Those who don’t really know about it here you go! Atarax (hydroxyzine) reduces activity in the central nervous system. It also acts as an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing and runny nose, or hives on the skin. Atarax is used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension! But it also helps me sleep at night when I feel a panic attack come on I take one and go to sleep witch that’s what I want thanks to this medicine!!!!"

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  • Peaches
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 18, 2020

For Anxiety "Hydroxyzine 25mg, EQ Atarax. If your dr prescribes you Atarax for anxiety, tell them you’ve already taken it and all it does is make you sleepy. I had a hot flash within 20min of taking it, and my chest, dead in the center feels like someone is sitting on me. I slept for 12hrs and at times felt like I wasn’t breathing. Yea, maybe my anxiety did decrease, because I was asleep..... This is the WORST medication I’ve ever tried. I’d rather take Benadryl, at least I don’t get hot flashes with it."

2 / 10
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  • Yates...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 17, 2012

For Anxiety "I cold turkeyed off Xanax after 16 years of 1 mg a day. I had horrible withdrawal symptoms. At 4 months my MD (not the dr that suggested I go cold turkey) but the one that helped me through it, put me on Atarax, 10 - 25 mg as needed up to 100 mg a day. It really made a difference in my recovery. I take it as I need, or don't take it at all. It helps with the anxiety, nausea, shaking. I have been on it for 9 months now and really recommend people try it. "

9 / 10
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256 Report
  • Mlynn
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I recently had anxiety trigger for me and I had a very scary panic attack that woke me from a dead sleep. My GP prescribed Atarax 10 mg form. I do not take anything regularly so I was a tad apprehensive. However I was reading and saw that people take much more higher doses on the medication, so I assumed it wasn’t going to work - wrong It takes a little bit to get the full effect but once it happens I was out like a light. I also woke up a little groggy, but my day has been better than ever. I slept finally fully and o didn’t have tightness of chest at work or during the day. 10mg is plenty and I didn’t have any weird dreams or side effects. I will say just having the bottle provided me calmness before I went to bed. I look forward to another night of rest."

10 / 10
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104 Report
  • PriPre
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 27, 2015

For Anxiety "I experienced unremittently high anxiety for almost a year before trying this medication. Panic attacks at least every third day, sometimes more than once each day, so severe that I visited the ER at least twice a month. Xanax helped for a few days but after that just made things worse and caused withdrawal even when taken less often than prescribed, buspar did nothing at all, and Celexa barely helped. Finally a nurse gave me a sample of this medication. It was a miracle drug. After a month anxiety-free I was able to stop taking it and now feel great. Side effects were so mild compared to other medications I've tried that I did not even notice them. It works much better than Dramamine for nausea too though it does make you sleepy"

10 / 10
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152 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 5, 2020

For Anxiety "Was prescribed 10mg Atarax tablets with directions to take 1-2 as every 6 hours as needed for anxiety and panic attacks. Taking 1 pill did nothing, so I took 2 the next time I felt anxiety creeping in. It made me very tired and dizzy, then sent me into a panic attack. I am better off not taking this medication when I feel anxiety coming on because it usually does not develop into a panic attack, let alone as worse as this one got."

1 / 10
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79 Report
  • This...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 2, 2019

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this for anxiety, was SUPPOSED to take it 3 times a day or as needed, I took ONE pill at 7:30 pm and was in bed within the hour and slept till 9:30 am the next morning and the next day I just kept falling asleep all day! What makes me so mad is I told my doctor what worked for me and she INSISTED on giving me this sedative instead I was a stay at home mom to a child that was a year old at the time this was given to me and I told her this, knowing that she gave me a straight up sedative that she told me to take 3 times a day and at night to help me sleep, thats NOT what I needed needless to say I took one of these and never took another one. I have anxiety I don't need to be in a coma and I need something that will allow me to take care of my child, I have been on benzos for several years and NOTHING has ever put me out like this did. Do NOT take this and expect to function let alone take care of your kids especially if your at home ALONE!! Thanks but no thanks!!"

1 / 10
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98 Report
  • avanya
  • March 20, 2008

For Anxiety "I take this along with Lexapro... I was having such hard times falling asleep due to nine million things going on through the day ... then the anxiety kicked in...sometimes I would be up for hours while everyone is sound to sleep...When I started taking this I fall asleep within thirty mins and usually sleep sound. It is not addicting... and good price for the good things the meds do."

9 / 10
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189 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 19, 2019

For Anxiety "I love this medication!! I take it for PTSD related sleep disturbance. It literally cured my insomnia. It works like a charm and I only take it probably once a week now. It feels good just to have it as my security blanket though. It does make me feel a bit drowsy the next day but it’s so worth it to not have a night when I’m up until 3 am with insane anxiety. It’s also safe for people who are in recovery! Huge plus!"

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • cryst...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 21, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been on this medicine for 2 years now and it continues to work well against anxiety and panic attacks. I take a 25 mg pill per day. At first, I experienced slight drowsiness and wanted to sleep a lot, but after a few days these side effects went away completely. Skipping a dose won't affect me, but after skipping several doses once I felt nervous, irritated and had trouble sleeping. Overall, it's good and reliable."

10 / 10
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95 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 19, 2012

For Anxiety "Although this medicine does work as described its response time to panic outbreak is not fast. It takes about 45 minutes for the feeling of dread or mania to subside. To go further the feeling is still there but it blocks the mind from reacting irrationally to the racing thoughts. I gave this medicine an 8 not a 10 because of the reaction time. So far all medications in this class have made me tired. I like this one because I have had no side effects or cross interactions with other medications."

8 / 10
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129 Report
  • JBreezy
  • January 25, 2019

For Anxiety "This should only be taken for acute anxiety. It’s extremely effective for stopping panic attacks and excessive worrying, but it is not good to take if you have to complete tasks. It utterly floors you. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event and do not mind being less functional, it will help greatly, especially if you want to get some sleep. But do not take this regularly before work or exercise. I’m a bodybuilder and run quite a lot, but I only take the medication afterward. I would not recommend long-term use, but I’ve been going on 5 years and it is still astoundingly effective when I start panicking and getting irritable. I usually just take it a couple hours before sleeping or earlier if I’m panicking. So, effective as hell, but floors you, but you will not be dysfunctional or overly foggy. It’s effectiveness is actually on par with Xanax, but there is no euphoria or risk for addiction, which is common in anxiety patients."

7 / 10
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69 Report
  • Itchy...
  • January 21, 2013

For Allergic Urticaria "I was diagnosed with Urticaria at the age of 16 (in 1985 which just came out of the blue) and took an Atarax pill every 3-4 days when I felt the itchiness coming on. It worked 100%. Later in life they suggested I try some other antihistamine (Claritin), which I did and it worked but I have to take a pill every day so I went back to Atarax as I did not suffer from drowsiness (after taking it for so many years). Fortunately in 2011 the Urticaria disappeared and I no longer need any meds for it. If ever I get itchy skin again, Atarax will be my choice."

10 / 10
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  • Anxie...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 16, 2014

For Anxiety "This medicine does what it's supposed to do. A 50mg capsule usually is enough to dispel panic attacks and return me to baseline. I don't take any more because I can't deal with the drowsiness during the day and I take something else for sleeping at night. No benzodiazepine-like euphoria, just simple no-frills relief."

8 / 10
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100 Report
  • Cindy
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 1, 2020

For Pruritus "I have been taking 25 mg of Atarax up to four times a day for 30 years.. I was given this because of my constant itching and rashes. It has saved my life. I have allergy's to so many things. When I'm stung by an insect or come in contact with an allergy trigger I take a higher dose and it has saved me from using a epi pen. I also have used it to sleep. I don't have anxiety. Perhaps Atarax is why. I don't have trouble with sleepiness on the lower dose. So I function fine in the day time when I take it. Your body gets used to it."

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  • ok42day
  • December 6, 2010

For Anxiety "The problem was sleep deprivation and my physician suggested Atarax and explained that sleeping is when the body restores itself making it vitally important to get a good night of sleep. I take one pill in the evening and sleep soundly and for now this is the right solution."

10 / 10
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118 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 8, 2008

For Nausea/Vomiting "Atarax is the best for relieving nausea, especially while taking pain killers. I have a broken tailbone and am taking Vicodin, which makes me so sick. I take 50 mg of Atarax and the nausea is gone within 20 minutes. It is GREAT. Also helps with anxiety and hives."

10 / 10
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131 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.