Hydroxyzine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I've been taking Atarax 50's 3x's daily PRN. I also take Ativan, but only if absolutely needed. I have found that Atarax helps me immensely. 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 of leveling me out."

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

Hydroxyzine 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."

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

Hydroxyzine 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2012

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I have been on 20mg of Lexapro and 0.5mg of Xanax for about 4 years. It wasn't until last year that I have been vomiting for no reason every morning, even if I wasn't doing anything. After avoiding food and drinks, nothing helped. So, I talked to my doctor, and he got me set up on this medicine. I've never heard of it, but for the past week, I haven't thrown up since. I figured it was due to my anxiety when nothing helped. And no, I'm not pregnant, I'm a male. The only downside for me is the drowsiness, which, like my other pills, my body needs to get used to first before I can actually function. All in all, this medicine kept me from throwing up for about a week, and I'm happy for that."

• soc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2012

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Made me very tired and sedated, slowed heart beat and felt like I forgot to breathe. I took one 50 mg pill and it didn't kick in for 45 mins. I'd rather take a 1 mg Xanax for my panic attacks. Woke up in the morning extremely tired and foggy."

• Cor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2018

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I have schizoaffective disorder with very severe paranoia and anxiety, and I can't have benzos, so I get Vistaril as an alternative. 25 mg, 3 times a day. It doesn't completely rid my anxiety, but it definitely does help reduce it, and if I'm having a panic attack, it will subside the attack within about 10 minutes or so. The only downside is it makes me pretty drowsy. But overall, I love this medication."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I have anxiety/panic attacks. Was using Ativan, and it was great. Calmed me immediately, didn't make me drowsy or out of it, but the psychiatrist told me some people's depression gets worse. Mine didn't, but she made me switch to Vistaril, which does nothing for me. I've tried taking several at a time, and it still doesn't help. I really wish I could go back to Ativan. Hopefully, next appointment she'll let me. I cannot stand feeling like I'm having a heart attack anymore!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 24, 2014

For Allergic Urticaria "Right after my 2nd child was born in 1969, I found myself scratching till I bled, and I was diagnosed with urticaria. I was prescribed hydroxyzine 10 mg (Atarax) 3 times a day at first, but was soon able to pare that back to 1 x 10 mg pill a day, which I take in the morning. I have never had a problem with drowsiness. The only time I realize I have this condition is if I run out of the medication and don't take it for a few days, then the itching comes back, usually starting on the palms of my hands. I will probably take this medication for the rest of my life, but for me, it has been a Godsend."

• Fun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2017

Hydroxyzine 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."

• Ist...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2014

For Sedation "This really works pretty well. It takes about 15-25 minutes to fully work, but it will knock you out for a solid eight hours minimum. I used to use trazodone for sleep/sedation as I have insomnia, but honestly, hydroxyzine is better. The best difference was the size of the pill. The trazodone was too large trapezoid pills that felt like they got stuck in my throat and tasted horrible, even with 1-2 cups of water. The 'hangover' of trazodone was also much more intolerable. The hydroxyzine takes about 10 minutes once you are up for the grogginess to go away versus 30 minutes with my previous alternative. I find showers and hot water with lemon and honey help the throat if it's still feeling itchy from the medicine."

• Ski...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Pain "33/Female/Anxiety/Chronic migraine cycle for 2.5 years.... I tried every over-the-counter medication, anti-depressants, anti-seizures, and none of these medications rid me of migraines. I was prescribed this hydroxyzine for anxiety, and it broke my migraine cycle. This is even after several visits to the E.R. to receive various different migraine cocktails, combinations, and even ketamine couldn't get rid of my migraines. This med completely eliminated my migraines. I was able to find a neurologist who ordered 200 units of Botox per migraine protocol. After 5 rounds, I am finally migraine-free and not on hydroxyzine. I was taking 25 mg 3x a day and then 50 mg 3x a day. After 3 months, I became sedated, but after the 4-month mark, I became confused and couldn't find my car in the parking lot, walked out of the pharmacy almost forgetting to pick up this prescription, couldn't remember what exit to take off the interstate, etc."

• Ash...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 17, 2016

For Allergies "I was prescribed this medication when I was 7 years old to treat my skin allergies, and it really helps me. It's the kind of medicine that relaxes you and clears your tension to the point where it makes you very sleepy. A major side effect of this drug is that it causes drowsiness, so it would be best to take it maybe 2 hours prior to your bedtime. I also always wake up very hungry, and I believe it has something to do with your hormones. It can be taken to reduce anxiety, help insomnia, or maybe even increase your appetite. Never experienced anything bad from it. Been on the medication for 12 years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I was first prescribed hydroxyzine to take as needed for anxiety and soon got approval from my doctor to start taking it every day because it really helped to make me feel more calm. There is mild drowsiness, but it doesn't affect my day too much. The major side effect is the weight gain! My doctor did not tell me that increased appetite and weight gain is a possible side effect, and now I am finally putting two and two together. The weight gain started off slow, but now after being on the medication for 2 months and upping my dose to twice a day, I am gaining 4-6 lbs a week! I have been increasing my exercise regimen and eating healthier than ever before, and I am still gaining weight. Very effective drug for anxiety, but beware of the side effects!"

• Jma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Sedation "I take two 50 mg pills of hydroxyzine before bedtime, along with 5 mg of melatonin to help sleep. I can fall asleep within 15 minutes, as before I would lay awake tossing and turning all night with my mind racing. No real side effects to speak of, maybe some grogginess in the morning, but nothing I can't handle."

• Lee...
• October 26, 2020

Hydroxyzine 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 minutes 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."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2025

For Anxiety "I was prescribed hydroxyzine, twenty-five milligrams, three times a day, for my anxiety. After about a half hour of taking my first dose of one pill, I felt sleepy, so I laid down. I woke up ten hours later and felt so groggy, I'm still so tired I went back to sleep. I don't know about the anxiety, but there's no way I could take three a day and function. I couldn't even take one of these a day and function. To me, this is a sleeping pill, not an antihistamine or anxiety pill."

• Daw...
• May 8, 2009

Hydroxyzine for Pruritus "It has the desired effect of stopping the itching at night, but I cannot stay awake the following day. The drowsiness is almost impossible for me to cope with during the working week. I'm literally falling asleep at work (and I'm only taking half the dose)."

• Dua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2016

For Sedation "I am a heavy drinker that doesn't want to quit drinking his pint of vodka every evening. However, I suffer from MDD, so I take 20 mg Lexapro every other day, and sometimes I cut the pill in half for only 10 mg in the morning due to sleepiness. Vistaril was prescribed as an anti-anxiety solution over Ativan, which just made me want to drink more. Vistaril at bedtime has given me the most solid 8 - 10 hours of sleep with awesome vivid dreams, strange sometimes, yes, but man, the REM is fantastic, and I truly feel energetic when I wake up now."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 24, 2019

For Pain "25 mg of this drug is literally the only thing that helps my migraines. Takes about half an hour to work, and I still am aware of my headache, but it makes the pain much more tolerable and eliminates the accompanying nausea. I’ll take the profound sedation from this over migraine pain any day."

• Anonymous
• August 22, 2011

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I had been taking Xanax and Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder. The Xanax, at 0.25 mg, made me a zombie. Atarax at 50 mg, 3 times a day, works very well for me, and I am able to function at work as well. The sedative effects wore off after a few days."

• Hap...
• May 5, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I was prescribed Atarax, taking 25 mg up to 3x daily or as needed. The first few days, it made me groggy and want to sleep, and I experienced very vivid dreams and nightmares. After a few days, the grogginess went away, and it actually helped me function while having high anxiety and helped to calm me. I still experience nightmares more often than I'd like to, but I'd rather be functioning daily, so I keep taking it."

• Ada...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 4, 2016

For Pruritus "I have taken Hydroxyzine for around 30 years for chronic itchy skin and insomnia. I take it only once a day - at 6 pm - and go to bed at 10 pm. I take only 10 mg, but also about 1.5 mg of Temazepam (i.e., a bit broken off a 10 mg pill) before going to bed. I get about 6.5 hours of sleep usually. The downside of Hydroxyzine is that it makes one feel dopey for around 12 hours and affects short-term memory in this period. However, for itching, there is no other drug that is so effective."

• SPI...
• July 28, 2015

Hydroxyzine for Pain "I take OxyContin 60 mg 3x a day, and Roxicodone 15 mg 4x a day for chronic back/neck pain. Sometimes I do too much walking or get severe neck pain that the pain meds don't control. I add one 25 mg Vistaril, and it enhances my pain meds' effectiveness. About 3 to 4 hours later, I become EXTREMELY drowsy and often fall asleep, not good in the middle of the afternoon! I think the occasional Ativan is almost as helpful, w/o all the sedation. Good drug, only if I can afford to be asleep."

• SPI...
• July 28, 2015

Hydroxyzine for Pain "I take OxyContin 60 mg 3x a day, and Roxicodone 15 mg 4x a day for chronic back/neck pain. Sometimes I do too much walking or get severe neck pain that the pain meds don't control. I add one 25 mg Vistaril, and it enhances my pain meds' effectiveness. About 3 to 4 hours later, I become EXTREMELY drowsy and often fall asleep, not good in the middle of the afternoon! I think the occasional Ativan is almost as helpful, w/o all the sedation. Good drug, only if I can afford to be asleep."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2012

For Anxiety "I suffer from panic disorder. It seems to get worse every winter. I went to the doctor before it got bad enough to interfere with my life. My doctor prescribed a very low dose of Celexa again, which works wonders for me, and hydroxyzine again because it makes me very sleepy and it really helps. I hadn't slept for 5 days because of heart palpitations caused by anxiety, but this makes me sleepy within an hour. The only drawback is that I am usually groggy for the first couple of hours that I'm awake, but I'll take groggy over insomnia any day."