Hydroxyzine and Itching: What Users Say

• Rya...
• April 21, 2014

For Allergic Urticaria "I had extreme hives all over my body from an allergic reaction. I took a single 25 mg tablet of hydroxyzine about an hour before I went to sleep, and I was no longer itching by bedtime. When I woke up, there were no hives. They started to return at nighttime, so I took another tablet, and the cycle continued."

• Kat...
• September 26, 2019

For Pruritus "I've been reading some of the reviews here, and I was surprised to see that some people became itchy. I'm taking hydroxyzine because I'm itchy. I've been itchy most of my life, and the last time I saw my doctor, she prescribed hydroxyzine, and it seems to be working for me. I hope everyone else gets the results they want."

• Dan...
• March 27, 2014

Hydroxyzine for Pruritus "I frequently will experience itchiness all over my body and will break out in hives and can't stop the itching despite use of topical Benadryl, etc. My doctor prescribed Atarax a few years ago, and while it stops the itching in its tracks, I also sleep for an insane amount of time. Generally, it's about 18 solid hours of drowsiness to the point I can't even keep myself awake for longer than 20 minutes. I absolutely hate it. An entire day totally wasted. I'm prescribed 25 mg every 6 hours as needed, although I have never had to take a second dose within 24 hours."

• Itc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2019

For Pruritus "I have idiopathic dermatitis. I get hives, rashes, itching all over my body. I do use prescription steroid cream to some good effect. However, once in a while, the itching gets completely out of control, and I scratch myself until I bleed. This Atarax (10-20 mg) helps a lot. Take it as early in the evening as possible, as you will more than likely sleep like a rock for 12-plus hours. I have made the mistake of waiting until I was up for several hours itching before taking the meds. Slept in all next day! In the future, I will try to take it before 10 pm to avoid losing an entire day. I have never had any prescription medication make me sleep like this, not even any narcotic. This stuff is great because it is not habit-forming, but it can definitely knock you out. On the plus side, the itching subsides for a couple of days so I can get myself together. I was just scratching myself constantly."

• Bra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2020

For Pruritus "I started taking hydroxyzine over 2 years ago. I take it every night before taking my Trazodone just because Trazodone makes me itchy. Well, it's been 6 days since the last time I took hydroxyzine, and my itching will not stop even though I take Benadryl, but it does nothing. Hydroxyzine has worked for me, tomorrow I get my new prescription. I also have been panicky and very nervous, my anxiety up the roof. So I know for a fact this med has been helping me. I guess you find out when you stop taking it. I recommend this for panic attacks, anxiety, for allergies, and itching."

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2023

For Anxiety "Never again!!! I’m never taking these hydroxyzine pills ever again. Matter fact, I’ll just have my psychiatrist discontinue it for me altogether. This has made me have extreme akathisia, sleepiness to the point I was almost falling asleep while cooking, going for walks, etc., weird dreams, couldn’t pee, depressed, itchy. No, I’m fine. I won’t be taking this garbage ever again. I’ll take my Trileptal, Ativan, or something else, but not this."

• Ken...
• October 17, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Pruritus "I was prescribed this medication after a burn injury. My scars caused intensive itching! I was ordered to take two tablets by mouth four times a day as needed for itching. Initially, after my accident, the medicine helped. I didn't really notice the side effects because I was on pain medication as well. Now here we are, six months after my accident. Last night, I had a really bad itching episode. I could not sleep. I decided to take the two Atarax. I slept through the entire night and the next day. I woke up to a text message after text message from coworkers and my boss wondering why I didn't show up to work!"

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2012

For Allergies "I was prescribed hydroxyzine by my dermatologist because I am severely allergic to insect venom. I live in Hawaii and am often bitten by a number of creepy crawlers. Even flea bites will cause me to break out and have difficulty breathing. I have found this medication very helpful in keeping me from itching and reducing the anxiety that can be caused when I have a lot of bites. I also use a steroid cream. The combination of the two has worked wonders for me and put an end to the insomnia I used to experience as a result of being so itchy at night."

• J_I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I've had severe anxiety since 9, but after 25 years, I painfully learned to cope with it and reduce it without meds (most of this was from the fact that I was never properly diagnosed when I was a child). Some of that anxiety won't ever go away, but I prefer not to take benzos unless I really need them. The very serious problem with benzos is that they can be very dangerous if you quit taking them, and they are habit-forming and you will unfortunately and quickly grow a tolerance to them over time. As for this medication, I was only looking for something that could help with my itching after I moved to Austin, TX. This area is known for new folks having severe allergies. Long story short - it worked pretty well for me for allergies and anxiety."

• Pan...
• December 23, 2019

For Anxiety "Bad PTSD and hives. Itching all the time. Bloody scratching. Emergency prescribed hydroxyzine. I also take buspirone and Celexa. Way down on dosages. The itches stop for about 4 hours. I was given prednisone and a shot for hives. I'm off Ambien now and can sleep with this med and Tylenol PM. I'm a CNA and work 24/7 as a live-in for an Alzheimer man. So go figure. But no more need for Ambien. Slightly tired from it. But I have huge adversity to being able to sleep. Dreams are a pain but no more nightmares so far. Got a puppy after 3 years of my last dog passing. Big help to get me up and for PTSD. No side effects other than tired. Would like more information on others' panic attacks. What happens to you during one?"

• Itc...
• November 19, 2016

For Pruritus "I have uncontrollable itching and have had it for about 2 months now. At first, my psychiatrist thought it was one of my psych meds, then my diabetic doctor believed that it was one of my diabetes medications. I'm no longer on the psych med or diabetic medications that could have been causing the itchiness. The itchiness has not gone away. For the past four nights, I have been taking this medication, and the itchiness has been better at night, but I've been sleeping 11 to 12 hours and having a hard time functioning during the day. I hope the doctors can figure out something else that will help the itching go away."

• Cho...
• July 18, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been taking hydroxyzine 50 mg for a month now for anxiety, and it does calm me down, not to mention the itching everywhere I get on my body when being anxious. Love it. I usually try and take it at bedtime only because it does knock me out."

• pra...
• March 20, 2008

For Nausea/Vomiting "I use hydroxyzine when I am having a reaction to other medications, and it relieves my itching and upset stomach. It is also very soothing for anxiety. It doesn't make me sleepy unless I am taking it in conjunction with Vicodin (which I am taking short term for pain)."

• Itc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2015

For Allergic Urticaria "My itching just kept coming so bad it would keep me awake all night. Even increasing the dosage didn't stop it. I have had no rash, just itch from head to toes. I have had to deal with this for over two years, and it's driving me nuts, constantly itching. Hydroxyzine doesn't work, and neither does Benadryl."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2018

For Pruritus "Have had intense itching, especially at night, since being diagnosed with RA in 2013. I had my RA in remission primarily through a gluten-free, mainly vegan diet until three days ago when I took my first dose of hydroxyzine 25 mg. Oh WOW how this antihistamine drug makes my body scream in pain. As soon as I feel better, I will have to revisit the itching dilemma. In the meantime, it's probably curtains for me with the hydroxyzine!!"

• Dyl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2014

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I was pretty disappointed by Vistaril. I asked my psychiatrist about it, hoping it helps in addition to the Zoloft I was taking to cure my itchiness, anxiety, sedation, and allergies. The only thing I saw improve were my allergies, and not by much. Yes, I have only been on Vistaril for 12 days, but still, I was disappointed with the results. One Benadryl and one Zyrtec a night were more helpful than this. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep looking."

• Boo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I was prescribed hydroxyzine to help with my anxiety and insomnia. I've taken 50 mg daily for the last 6 years, and it works great for both problems. My doctor recently refused to renew my prescription, so I've been off of it for about 3 days. This evening, I started itching from my scalp to my feet. My clothes feel like sandpaper, and any movement sets off more itching. I am guessing this is a symptom of withdrawal since being off of it is the only thing different in my life. Will definitely be talking to my doctor about renewing the prescription because, in addition to the itching, I'm back to not being able to sleep at night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2020

For Pruritus "I’ve been taking hydroxyzine for only 2 days for my motorized and vocal tics. Worked great at first and calmed my tics down a lot, and I had no drowsiness. But then, a few hours later, I broke out in a skin rash on my legs, arms, neck, and the back of my head. It itches so bad I thought I had lice, and I’m really upset my doctor never told me about these side effects. It’s the next morning after I took the 2 yesterday, and the rash is still there and bothersome."

• mmo...
• July 3, 2015

For Allergic Urticaria "Itching, sick to my stomach, blood constantly in my nose, shakes, sore throat feel like I have a cold now. Cannot take antihistamines, told doctor still insisted. My bites still itch, and now I feel ill on a daily basis."

• Hen...
• May 10, 2020

Hydroxyzine for Allergic Urticaria "About 2 or 3 weeks ago, I started to get itchy after taking a bath. I was very, very itchy. My whole body was itchy, and I was about to go crazy. It was like thousands of ants were running on my skin. It was very awful. I ran to the drugstore and bought Hydroxyzine 25 mg, and hopefully this medication helped me. I've been taking it daily."

• swt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2015

For Pruritus "Severe itching for unknown reason (so far - test being taken). Took 1 last night at 4 pm. Did not make me drowsy, and itch did not even slightly improve. Very disappointed. Going to give it another try today after work, so I can take every 6 hours over the weekend. This way, if it does knock me out, I'm home."

• Sos...
• March 19, 2017

For Allergic Urticaria "This medication is only a sleeping pill and doesn't stop the itch, but gives you an itch all day. If you don't take Zyrtec or a similar med during the day, you'll still be itching. This medicine is useless."

• Del...
• January 14, 2018

For Allergic Urticaria "Dermatographism, itchy skin. I take it as an antihistamine. I’ve been taking 10 mg a day for 15 plus years. No issues, usually, I might be able to go without it for 3 days, then I need a pill. I take it at night, before bed, to limit drowsiness."

• Sar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 14, 2023

For Anxiety "I take it every 6 hours for anxiety. It’s a miracle pill for me. It helps with fast heart rate, high blood pressure, itching, pain, and allergies. It is not addictive, and it saved my life. I’ve been on it for a long time now. I have read reviews with people saying it doesn’t work because they’re looking for a high. It can kick your butt when you first start taking it, but I have been told by a few friends that I had in the past who had drug issues, and I looked it up online also that it does intensify any drugs or alcohol in your system, which helped them with withdrawals. I don't recommend, due to personal experiences, that you drink alcohol with this medication! Bad things can happen, and people might take advantage!!!"

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2011

For Anxiety "Wasn't sure how to rate this for skin allergy or anxiety/stress, as the skin allergy was subsequently caused by anxiety/stress. Originally, the allergy was caused by amoxicillin. Itching was so intense, I was digging into my skin with anything I could find to bring relief. The doctor told me to take Benadryl - no help - then prednisone - no help. Almost 2 weeks later, I woke up feeling like I was covered by thousands of fire ants and went to the ER. I am on disability for anxiety and panic attacks and take Ativan 2 mgs 4x a day, but evidently, this skin allergy was controlling my life! One pill not only totally calmed me down, but I have not itched in 24 hours and slept 14 hours straight. Plan to talk to the doctor about keeping this as a when-required medicine for emergency anxiety/panic attacks."