Hydroxyzine for Anxiety User Reviews
Brand names: Vistaril
Hydroxyzine has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 870 reviews for the treatment of Anxiety. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 39% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Hydroxyzine
- paint...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 24, 2021
"I have been on this for about a month. It is just a strong antihistamine. It literally sucks the life out of me. It helps my anxiety simply by the fact I'm not thinking about my anxiety because of how miserably tired I am all day. I'd rather have 6 attacks a day than have simply walking to the bathroom make me need to sit and catch my breath (I am 6'2' and 160 lbs, I keep in good shape, simply breathing and walking should not make me need to catch my breath). I loathe this medication and am only taking it to appease my counselor. When I meet again with him I will absolutely be telling him stop prescribing sleeping pills for anxiety. I'm getting upset just talking about it. This stuff should ONLY be used for sleeping disorders, or if you're just trying to ruin people's lives."
- NatS
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- June 10, 2020
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I’ve been taking Vistaril for anxiety on and off for years. More consistently for the past two years, it truly does help with anxiety, and is far safer than Benzo’s. I got hooked on benzos and had to withdrawal over a year- that was fun (insert sarcasm). The only negative I can list for Vistaril, is that the day after I take a Vistaril (I only take PRN) I’m in the worst mood. I even tell my husband, I had a vistaril yesterday, so leave me be. (32y/o female). You’re not alone. :) God bless."
Frequently asked questions
- Can you take hydroxyzine for anxiety and sleep?
- Can hydroxyzine be taken long-term?
- Does Benadryl help with or cause anxiety?
- When can I start drinking if I’m no longer taking hydroxyzine?
- Nini
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 30, 2020
"This drug hydroxyzine has been amazing for me and my anxiety. Xanax is way too strong for me, makes me feel like a zombie. Hydroxyzine helped me immediately to feel calm, in control and rational. It has been a life saver. I am so glad it exists. People shouldn’t say this drug is bad just because it is not the right fit for their symptoms."
- Tranq...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 21, 2020
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I have suffered extreme anxiety, panic disorder, and PTSD. I've been using this for over a week now (Prescribed at up to 100mg a day as needed but the highest dose I've taken has been 75mg). Just messing around with dosage to figure it out. This has been my saving grace for the time I've been in it. I'm glad it's not a benzo as I had a hard time coming off of it. With Vistril my panic attacks are fewer now in the week that I've been taking it. I do recommend this medication because I believe it fully works for anxiety. At least for mine :-)"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Sleep...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- October 25, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- bug
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 7, 2019
"I don't really get why everyone dislikes this drug so much! I've been on benzos before and although those do help in a different way, knowing this won't be so addictive makes me feel at ease. A huge game changer was the fact that it didn't leave me with a huge depression 'hangover' once it wears off. The thing I don't like about it is that it can put me in a sort of a brain foggy state, but personally I am used to dealing with that. I take usually 25mg and I'm set for a while. I have anxiety+social anxiety and there is a difference for me I can tell when I take it. I don't usually leave reviews but I keep seeing so many negative things about hydroxyzine online that just makes me want to share my experience for those who might feel discouraged when being put on it."
More FAQ
- Spitty
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 15, 2019
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "Listen Vitaril pretty decent for anxiety! I was on this 25mg 3x daily and it has helped take off the edge, it doesn't stop it 100% but with other medication and proper anxiety relief techniques, this will help you immensely with anxiety. However since I'm a teen drop out (due to anxiety) I can sleep 9 hours and then sleep another 9 hours W/O feeling tired at all (great side affect- I like). I highly recommend this for people with panic attacks! Don't listen to the scary reviews if you truely have tried everything except meds TRY THIS and don't be scared..."
- Garne...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 2, 2021
"I went into full blown psychosis because a side effect of this medication hydroxyzine. I saw, heard, and felt demons. It starts with them in dreams and then eventually having these experiences while awake but only in the dark. Was hospitalized for a week because of this before the docs realized it was causing the psychosis. (Prescribed before and continued during hospitalization.) I tried it again a few years later, being semi-unsure of it caused my psychosis, and sure enough it started happening again. Thankfully I recognized it and was able to stop immediately. Took less than t three doses. It seems so crazy that this type of medication can cause a psychotic event but I'm telling you it definitely does do that to me."
- Massa...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 4, 2018
"Hi everyone I felt very strongly on wanting to share my experience with this medication I was in a horrible place anxiety state of panic for days couldn't eat or sleep just about to go to hospital and check myself in then I take my fourth dose of this magic pill I felt like a new person - my old self even. I've been on it for 3 days after having it for 2 weeks and fighting with myself about taking it. Take it. We are all different but it's worth a try. It saved my life and let me add when we feel this way we are seeking answers to our anxiety which causes us to desperately find relief by reading something we wanna hear or whatever it takes. This is the hardest thing I've dealt with in my life but don't give up there is hope with this med and Citalopram and lots of exercise and prayer!!! Another thing guys this is how many reviews out of billions of people so don't lose hope. Best of luck Hugs and prayers!!!"
- Pinky...
- December 21, 2019
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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 !"
- True
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 11, 2021
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I've been prescribed this three times for anxiety and PTSD and sleep. It works for none of these things and I really don't like it. I know they use it to avoid benzos but I would rather have actual relief. I have no addictive tendencies and I’m exhausted of panic and anxiety. I’m prescribed this but rarely take it. Also the more you take it the less it works."
- Joso
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- July 23, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- Sam
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 30, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- Stephie
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 27, 2020
"I was prescribed hydroxyzine to take as needed for anxiety. I took it once and it did not work at all. It didn't make me feel sleepy at all and it didn't help my anxiety, it made my anxiety a thousand times worse and I had a panic attack that lasted about 3 hours and I would not calm down. It didn't help me cope, it cancelled out my ability to cope"
- Tori
- November 5, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- Insom...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 25, 2020
"I have had insomnia for the past 14 months. I have been to two sleep specialist. I have tried all kinds of drugs and I also I tried CBTI and meditation. I am 70 years old. Just last week my sleep doctor finally prescribed this hydroxyzine for me. I take 10 mg at bedtime – literally at bedtime, It works within 15 to 20 minutes.I cannot believe the difference it has made. I sleep through the night, prior to this if I slept at all I had at most six hours. I could easily sleep eight hours now. I wake up feeling very good. I’m taking nothing else with it. It’s not been quite a week yet, and I hope to continue this fabulous response. I had never heard of it before this, but I would suggest if you have problems with sleep and you might ask your doctors to let you try it. From my reading there are no long-term side effects, and no withdrawal symptoms. It is so much better than taking diazepam or Ambien."
- rpano
- January 29, 2020
"I just started this drug hydroxyzine two weeks ago as I have GAD, PTSD and Panic disorder. I am really very impressed with this drug and the best way to describe it is if I have ten things to do instead of bouncing around all ten and getting nothing accomplished it slows me down enough to put the list to work one task at a time. Very effective and no side effects for me."
- Finally...
- July 3, 2016
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I have been struggling my entire life with mental health issues that I didn't realize were there. I have extreme anxiety and have always found it so hard to talk to people with out stuttering and feeling stupid. I experimented many different meds Vistaril seriously changed my life. I am so much happier and so much calmer than I've ever been, I feel like a new person."
- meggix
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 23, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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!"
- waslo...
- October 3, 2014
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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!"
- Anonymous
- September 14, 2012
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I had severe anxiety, panic attacks...I worry all the time about everything, causing my blood pressure to skyrocket. I had been on blood pressure pills for 2 months but still having a heavy pressure in my chest/throat area, causing me to think I was having a heart attack. Doctor prescribed Vistaril 25mg x 2 day for anxiety. This helps me tremendously and I only have to take it once a day. Hope this helps answer some questions someone might have."
- Nicole
- September 10, 2014
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- Peaches
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 18, 2020
Atarax (hydroxyzine) "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."
- Meytal
- June 27, 2015
Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "I just started this medication yesterday. I was extremely doubtful since I've tried xanex, clonapin, and valium. However, I was at the point that I was willing to try anything. Took my first dose around 6pm and I was truly impressed. So I think it works alot better for my anxiety than any benzos ever did. For weeks I've been feeling like I was about to crawl out of my skin. Lots of medical issues, high blood pressure. I'm in telephone sales and its not ideal for those with similar medical problems. Now I feel great. Excited to go to work tomorrow. This is coming from someone who thought only benzos helped. If your doctor gives it to you, try it, it works. I take less than what others say they take and I still stand by it."
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.
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Vistaril (hydroxyzine) "This does little if nothing for me. Causes severe dry mouth which can lead to tooth decay. I have never in my sixty years on earth bought a drug from the streets. However. The low dose prescription klonopin I took for many years with no issues. The government has made it a hassle for doctors to prescribe benzos. They will throw everything else at you despite side effects and lack of it actually working. For persons with serious anxiety, buspar, visteral, lexapro do not work. I have tried them all. Benzos are a drug used in the treatment of anxiety for a decade and for most used safely. It is not the drug that is the problem they are safe and effective if used properly. As long as there are people wanting to abuse drugs there will be addiction problems. Great if visteral worked but it does not for me."