Hydroxyzine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2016

For Anxiety "Not for everyone... but I myself had a great experience with this drug. I was prescribed for my anxiety (mostly at night before bed), and it works wonderfully. Not a 'high' feeling whatsoever, but simply relaxed, maybe a bit drowsy, but definitely not high. Great for anxiety, but everyone's different."

• jel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I asked for this medication on advice from a person who said it worked great. I have Xanax for anxiety from perimenopause and didn't want to rely on a benzo when things get really bad. I only take Xanax very rarely but thought if there was something non-addictive that would help, that would be great. I regret taking the first 10 mg pill. I felt like I was having my heart racing in my sleep after taking the pill at bedtime. I woke groggy and out of it. It is now the next day, and I am a walking zombie with anxiety and dizziness. I feel like I can't function, and when I tried to nap, I could feel my heart racing again. I feel so out of it and just found out that this will not leave my system for up to 40 hours. I feel disconnected and blah."

• mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Anxiety "It’s not terrible. I have pretty severe anxiety, so it didn’t do a ton for me. However, it did help me sleep since it produces a sedative effect. I’d say it’s worth trying before you start messing with benzodiazepines, but it can’t really help you much if you have more significant needs."

• Zio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Anxiety "Literally does nothing for anxiety, absolutely nothing. It will sedate you and calm you in a certain way, it’s hard to explain, but you will be even more anxious after taking this from the “drugged” feeling. It’s so uncomfortable, you will sleep, but it will be that half-sleep, if you know what I mean. You will dream and be awake at the same time. The night will go by extremely slowly, and you will wake up sweating even worse than before. Avoid this medicine, it’s just annoying how doctors literally give this for anxiety when I feel it is practically useless."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2010

For Allergic Urticaria "This medicine saved my sanity, if not my life! Months of unexplained pressure hives all over my body had my nerves absolutely shot. I won't go into the details, but after MANY doctors and countless tests, I finally found a doctor who wanted me to try Atarax, 50 mg, 4 times a day. I was willing to try anything! The drowsiness was difficult to deal with for a long time, but the hives had pretty much met their match. I can tell if I'm late taking one or if I've forgotten altogether. I can't live without them!"

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2016

For Anxiety "This is very good for first-time anxiety. It makes you feel drowsy, which helps to calm you. Excessive tiredness was the only real side effect I had. However, this may not work for everyone because it does not treat the psychological aspect of anxiety. So even if it makes you tired, you may still feel very anxious. It makes for good short-term treatment, but I would talk to a doctor for something else for long-term control. On the whole, it has helped me very much because I can take it as needed, it's not habit-forming, and it's pretty inexpensive. I am happy with the way it has helped me."

• Bus...
• August 25, 2019

For Sedation "I was prescribed this, and it knocked me out. I’m underweight, so it might have had a stronger toll on me. Anyways, it made me feel good, maybe because I’m a recovering drug addict. Anyway, the first day I slept forever and had vivid dreams, but found myself so dizzy and lightheaded at work (I’m a waitress, so always moving). On day two, I couldn’t even get up and felt like I was loaded, I was so tired. Even more dizzy at work, so I drank water and that helped. I’d just stay hydrated. It’s not for me because I felt like I was going to pass out. The sedative factor worked really well. Still feeling groggy too."

• eyy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

For Anxiety "I was prescribed hydroxyzine 50 mg for anxiety. Omggggg. I took it two days ago and I cannot, I repeat, I CANNOT shake this drowsiness, this sleepiness away. I have been super tired these past few days, no matter how much I sleep. Horrible drug!!!"

• eyy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

For Anxiety "I was prescribed hydroxyzine 50 mg for anxiety. Omggggg. I took it two days ago and I cannot, I repeat, I CANNOT shake this drowsiness, this sleepiness away. I have been super tired these past few days, no matter how much I sleep. Horrible drug!!!"

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2018

For Anxiety "Was prescribed for mild anxiety, 25 mg, and instructed to take every 8 hours/as needed. It made me too drowsy when I took it during the day to treat the anxiety, almost like a strong Benadryl. So I started taking it before bed just to test it and to test if it would help my insomnia, and wow, I haven’t slept this good in years!!! It also helps me during the day to feel more calm, even though I take it before bed. Been taking it for a little under two months. So far, so good."

• msk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2023

For Anxiety "It does nothing for my anxiety. 25 mg does make me drowsy, but sleep does not take your anxiety away, unfortunately. Lorazepam works really well, even 0.5 mg is better than 25 mg of hydroxyzine. It works well for itching and hives."

• Pru...
• March 2, 2017

For Pruritus "I'm 64. I was badly bitten by mosquitoes last October, and this seems to have triggered extreme itching of my back, abdomen, scalp, and - er - undercarriage. My GP prescribed Loratadine and a menthol cream with absolutely no effect. Now we are trying Atarax and Eurax cream. The sedative effect of the Atarax gave me a good night's sleep last night, but itching cometh again in the morning. Will I be cursed with this forever? My back looks as if I have been in a fight with a barbed wire fence. With hot-flushy menopause skin, I don't like using a cream..."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

For Interstitial Cystitis "I have to take about 4 pills daily (25 mg), but it really was night and day. The pain and urgency are under control even when I eat triggering foods... except around menses when it does not seem as effective. I love this medication but wish there was something that did all the same stuff without making me sleep 11 hours at night. I take my pills at 7 am and 1 pm."

• Anj...
• January 10, 2018

For Allergic Urticaria "I've been taking this for about a year, and I wish I had found out about it ten years ago. In the past, I've had debilitating hives and rashes no matter what I was doing. It could be from showering or clothing myself to running on a treadmill. They were painful and felt like I had been dipped into a vat of itching powder. It could last hours to days. Summer and winter were brutal for my skin. It has literally changed my life. Yes, the first week or so, it made me super drowsy. Doctor recommended taking it at night instead of morning and night. I take one pill in the morning now that it doesn't make me sleepy. I would love to find a natural remedy, but I haven't been successful yet."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2010

Hydroxyzine for Allergic Urticaria "My doctor diagnosed me with dermatographia and prescribed Singulair and Alavert. The condition lessened, but did not go away. I would still break out into hives on a daily basis, though they were not as frequent and covered a smaller portion of my body. After a few months, she prescribed Vistaril in place of Alavert and kept me on the Singulair. Almost immediately, I noticed a significant change! For the first time in months, I went an entire day without any hives - though I had to take the capsule four times a day. If I took fewer capsules, my hives would come back. I did experience severe drowsiness and a slight 'euphoric' feeling, but it lessened over time."

• Myn...
• July 20, 2015

For Anxiety "I have GAD with some kind of OCD that makes me stay focused on my worries for a long time. I keep overthinking about my feared situations, etc. Vistaril is highly sedating, so it's my number one drug to fall asleep. It provides you with relaxation when you feel tense and anxious. When the anxiety attack is so strong, it's better to take a higher dose than usual. I think Vistaril is better than benzos because hydroxyzine's effect is more stable and lasts longer during the day. I take it up to four times, 1 or 1.5 25 mg pills. It's really useful for anxiety and stress."

• eli...
• March 6, 2014

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I take 50 mg 3 x a day. Total 150 mg. I'm bipolar and take other medicines that cause drowsiness but realized within a couple of weeks that this subsides with time. It is nothing like Xanax that knocks you out, and Atarax takes a while to start working if you're in the start of an attack. I didn't experience any of the antihistamine effect the pill is supposed to provide. I will ask for a different medication to manage my anxiety."

• Lco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "My GP prescribed this for anxiety and directed that I take it every 8 hours. Now I have dealt with anxiety and severe panic attacks, need immediate relief. This medication was not the one to do that for me. It made me very drowsy, and at the same time, I still had anxiety. This is not for someone who has a busy schedule because it will sedate you. I think this medication should only be used for its initial intent to control itching. Otherwise, it was a waste for me."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2025

"Hydroxyzine HCl was prescribed for a rash that kept persisting. It was great for sleep but did nothing for the rash. What I later realized, it was a huge relief on my chronic tension headaches. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, and my headaches were increasingly painful. Only codeine gave me some temporary relief. While taking this medication, I realized it did a wonderful job for the tension headaches and a good night's sleep. I am fortunate it does not leave me groggy the next day but quite calm. I only take it once a day at bedtime, and not even every night."

• Fre...
• August 27, 2014

For Anxiety "I was given this (50 mg) as needed for anxiety/panic. The first time I took it, it knocked me out for 13 hours. When I woke up, I was very groggy for at least 2 hours. After the mental and physical exhaustion went away, I did feel very calm and collected for quite some time. I am not taking it anymore because it is far too strong for me, even in half or quartered doses. I'm happy if it works for you, but for me, this was not good."

• cra...
• May 21, 2019

For Sedation "Have insomnia for weeks now. Fell down the steps I was so sleepy and went to urgent care to make sure I didn't break anything. A PA gives me this to help me sleep. I have tried 1 pill, 2 pills, yet at no dose has made me sleep! Instead, I lay awake all night with a racing heart, feeling weird and crazy, anxiety. I feel insane, slurring my words, can barely walk straight, etc. I am new at my job, so I have no choice but to come, and I look and act like a drug addict. Going to my PCP tomorrow, who I hope can give me sleeping pills. I don't understand why they are scared to give you sleeping pills when science says you need sleep, but they give out opiates like candy."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2015

Hydroxyzine for Sedation "I have been dealing with insomnia on and off for over 10 years. I have always managed it with OTC meds like Unisom. Finally decided to see a doc about it after having to take 3-4 Unisom a night (I was feeling like a zombie till 10 a.m.!). She prescribed 25 mg of Vistaril - take one at bedtime. Last night was my first time using it, and it took a few hours to get me to sleep. All night I had weird, vivid dreams, and it was hard to tell if I was asleep or awake. I felt on the brink of deep sleep but still awake. It's hard to describe. I am going to give it a week and see how it goes. I was a bit groggy this morning, but not like on Unisom."

• RKT...
• August 18, 2014

For Anxiety "It definitely calmed my anxiety but left me drowsy. I took 25 mg once a day for two weeks and was able to function somewhat normally despite the fatigue factor. After two weeks, for some reason, it began making me so tired that I was unable to function during the day. I tried halving and even quartering the amount, but it still left me unable to stay awake during the day. When I was awake, I was lethargic and depressed."

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2010

For Allergic Urticaria "I have been suffering from rashes, bumps, and itches on my hands and legs for about 15 years, during which time I have been to 7 skin specialists and allergists: nothing except palliative (and messy) creams and covering my hands with 6-8 Band-Aids at a time. Then I found a new doctor who prescribed hydroxyzine and fexofenadine. Two days later, 99% of the problem was gone. It flares up when I eat any meats with preservatives (sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate) and berries with small seeds (figs, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.). Drowsiness was never a problem, but it would have been a worthwhile trade-off not to spend most of my waking hours itching, creaming up, and then covering with Band-Aids."

• Tee...
• June 19, 2014

For Allergies "I have just recently started taking this for allergies that leave me with hives and/or rashes. I have found it very effective, it doesn't take long before it starts working. I have realized that it does sedate me and/or is very effective, it's very hard to wake up while under the influence of this medicine."