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Atarax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

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

  • Storken
  • October 19, 2013

For Anxiety "I have general anxiety disorder and I'm prone to panic attacks. Being afraid of benzo and it's addictiveness, I got this prescribed. So far it has worked great if I take 2 pills at once, and the effect lasts for about 10 hours. I haven't really felt the hangover part people talk about, nor have I experienced headaches. The only thing I really have to complain about is that the breathing can get almost too relaxed at times, so when I fall asleep I wake up with a shortness of breath, as if my lungs forgot to inhale. It's no big deal though, happens maybe 3 times a night and it wakes me up. And I guess it would be nice to have a pill that takes away anxiety but doesn't make you tired (I sleep like a baby after 30 minutes after taking atarax)"

8 / 10
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  • EmmaJ...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 26, 2017

For Sedation "This drug works wonders for me. Was prescribed 25 mg for anxiety and to help me sleep. I take it occasionally, when I feel anxious or worried at nighttime or just have problems falling asleep. I feel so calm, relaxed and sleepy :) Only bad thing is the hangover I get the next day. I feel like a zombie. But if I don't take it too late at night there's usually not a problem. I will need a good 10-12 hours of sleep on it though. 24 year old female"

10 / 10
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64 Report
  • donew...
  • February 9, 2015

For Anxiety "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 no addictive Atarax."

10 / 10
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77 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Alexa...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 23, 2015

For Sedation "Hydroxyzine is an oldie; but a keeper. It is more powerful than it's younger brother Zyrtec and lasts 24-36 hours. If taken at night, there is little chance of a 'hangover effect' or residual drowsiness. It is probably the safest and most effective sleep medication available; and you don't build a tolerance or addiction. As a HCL salt; check your liver and kidneys annually to make sure there are no ill affects which are rare."

8 / 10
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73 Report
  • Details
  • August 10, 2019

For Anxiety "I’ve been taking atarax for anxiety after my doctor took me off clonopin. 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."

8 / 10
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46 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Hivey
  • May 29, 2009

For Allergic Urticaria "I've had seriously awful hives and angioedema for 3 months and tried everything on my own to lessen my symptoms, even taking Benadryl around the clock. I went to my doctor who prescribed this and warned it would make me drowsy when I took it. For the first time in 3 months I've had hardly any hives (though they aren't completely gone, but much easier to handle) and I wasn't drowsy at all (maybe because I'm used to taking all the Benadryl and fighting drowsiness). I haven't had any side effects."

8 / 10
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107 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 19, 2012

For Anxiety "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. "

8 / 10
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83 Report

More FAQ

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

For Anxiety "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 a like) 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."

8 / 10
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37 Report
  • Freebir
  • September 25, 2009

For Anxiety "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 even in the 25mg dose it causes quite the hangover or I should say a daze for about 5 to 8 hrs the next day but no extreme side effects - just really relaxed. "

8 / 10
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95 Report
  • Ellio...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 11, 2016

For Anxiety "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 im anxious and i love it:)"

9 / 10
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60 Report
  • Esbet
  • October 3, 2016

For Anxiety "Don't take this drug !! It caused me to have horrendously bad dreams. They were terrifying. My anxiety has worsened by 100 percent. I'm fearful of going to sleep. I've not slept more than three hours a night for two weeks. Another side effect I experienced was hair loss and vertigo. Thanks to my " doctor " I have regular episodes of vertigo which I had never experienced in my life. Stay away from this drug !"

1 / 10
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56 Report
  • Savan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 9, 2018

For Allergies "Prescribed Atarax for anxiety by my doctor after coming in for breathing difficulties. My lungs were doing their job but my anxiety made me feel like I couldn't get a breath. I took 25 mg when I got home and within an hour I felt immediately calm and sleepy. I am no longer gasping for air or panicking, but this stuff is strong and I slept for 12 hours (though I needed it because I didn't sleep much the night prior). Atarax is also an antihistamine, so my normally itchy skin is as calm as can be. 10/10. Works well. Wouldn't take everyday, as it makes me extremely sleepy."

10 / 10
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46 Report
  • Monchie
  • July 29, 2014

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Atarax for my anxiety and to wean off Klonopin. It worked well at first but I have found that I've built a tolerance. One 50mg pill the first day helped, the next day I need two 50mg pills and now after 2 weeks in up to 200mg and it is no longer controlling my panic or anxiety."

5 / 10
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66 Report
  • Nina...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 19, 2015

For Anxiety "I was originally prescribed ATARAX for poision ivy. I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I take CYMBALTA daily & VALIUM as needed. I was pleasantly surprised when starting ATARAX. I noticed after my first pill having a more clear head and being more productive. I didn't connect the two until later reading up on its other benefits. Anyway, I haven't had any side effects at all on ATARAX and it has been added to my daily Meds. If I'm more than 4 hours off my CYMBALTA I will get a nasty headache & would be a withdrawal nightmare but it's the ONLY thing that has helped my depression long term & I've tried "everything" so I am thankful & Im sure to take my Meds on time! Goodluck!"

10 / 10
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62 Report
  • Fun2d...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 5, 2017

For Anxiety "Have a great deal going on in my life and very anxiety driven. This helped calm me down without making me drowsy. I can sleep and I can relax and not worry about being so spun up. Recommend this drug since it is not habit forming."

9 / 10
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47 Report
  • Joshy
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 11, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been take Atarax 50's 3x's daily PRN.. I also take Ativan.. but only if absolutely needed.. I have found that Atarax helps me emensely (sp).. It doesn't make me tired or groggy anymore.. It just calms me down when having some anxiety or feeling out of sorts with my mood.. It does a good job at leveling me out"

9 / 10
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52 Report
  • Sneezy...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 10, 2016

For Allergies "I have really terrible environmental allergies. My allergist has dubbed me his "most allergic" patient. I take Zyrtec and Singulair in the morning but I'm still itching and sneezing by night time. Atarax relieves my allergies at night like magic. It also helps when I have a bad reaction to my allergy shots or when something I'm extremely allergic to is in season. I also like that it relaxes me and makes me sleep. Definitely a bonus. I can also take them as needed or multiple times per day unlike other allergy medicines."

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 2, 2015

For Anxiety "I take this for my extreme anxiety disorder. Just 25mg alone will knock me out for hours. Personally it causes me incredibly vivid dreams, a lot of the time they are nightmares. Not sure if it's connected to the medicine, or it's just me. I do wake up feeling an extreme hangover. But it works really well for my anxiety at 50mg."

8 / 10
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55 Report
  • Mom2A...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 14, 2015

For Anxiety "Take the smallest dose possible! I took 50 mg of this and spent an entire day on the couch feeling dizzy and tired and completely wiped out. It was only until a family member commented on how my anxiety seemed to be better that I realized it was true. I asked my Dr for the smallest dose and 5 mg. It is enough to calm my anxiety and help me sleep without feeling uselessly tired. "

8 / 10
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53 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 2, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking it for about three months now, I was prescribed it by an ER psych, for anxiety and insomnia. Started on 50 mg which worked, but have worked up to having to take between 100 and 150 mgs a day to get the same effect. I think it's better for short term use, because your system can quickly adapt to it and start to require more for the same effect."

7 / 10
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75 Report
  • Jratt
  • October 19, 2011

For Interstitial Cystitis "Atarax was very effective in treating interstitial cystitis. I could not take the generic form. I was told when I went to get a refill that it had been taken off the market. Nothing has helped me as much as Atarax. "

8 / 10
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69 Report
  • aleras
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 20, 2015

For Allergies "I have used this medication for anxiety allergies and to halp me fall asleep for 14 years, and have not had any reaction other than those needed. Now the insurance states that it is not appropriate for use in the elderly. I am 69."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • SoCal
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 18, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been taking this medication for about a week now for severe anxiety and I will admit I can tell night and day when I take it (it works) however it makes me feel EXTREMELY fatigued. I could sleep all day when I take this stuff. Probably not the best solution for anyone with a lot of daily responsibilities. Other side effects I think have come along with it are dry mouth and increase in appetite. I don't remember being this hungry before. Would I recommend it? Ugh... I think the fact it eliminates my attacks pretty much all together is worth the cons I mentioned but I'm still gonna be trying some alternatives to see if theres something that doesn't make me feel as tired. Don't get me wrong, its not like you're gonna fall asleep out of the blue but once you do decide to sleep you're gonna wanna sleep way more than you need to."

7 / 10
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33 Report
  • Shann...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 7, 2015

For Anxiety "Taking 25mg every 12 hours. Makes me feel like I have a hang over the next day. As far as it helping my anxiety, well, it knocks me out. So I guess I can't be anxious if I'm asleep on the couch. Will be trying something else."

2 / 10
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51 Report
  • Alyab...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 6, 2016

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this for my anxiety disorder, and I'm really disappointed. It did absolutely nothing for me, which for obvious reasons, is frustrating in times of extreme anxiety. Taking a "rescue medication" and help never coming was hard for me personally. Others say it works great, but I suppose it depends on the person."

1 / 10
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47 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.