Hydroxyzine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2021

For Anxiety "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 to 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."

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

For Sedation "I was prescribed 25 mg Hydroxyzine to help me sleep. The first day I took it, I couldn't get out of bed. The next day, after I woke up, I felt so tired and had zero energy. It was bad. So I waited for 2 weeks and tried it again, and the same thing happened. I can't live my life this way. I'd rather go without a good night's sleep than deal with that."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

For Sedation "I am 22 years old. I was prescribed hydroxyzine to help me sleep because I was waking up in the middle of the night from horrible panic attacks, afraid to sleep. When I first started taking hydroxyzine as needed, it was good and made me feel refreshed. Now, recently I took it, and I felt so exhausted and tired. It's been 24 hours since I took it, and I still don't feel good. I'm tired, and I've been sleeping, but it doesn't help. My body feels so weak and tired, and it's making my anxiety worse. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling tired even after taking this medication a day earlier? I really don't like this feeling. Never taking this again."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

For Sedation "I am 22 years old. I was prescribed hydroxyzine to help me sleep because I was waking up in the middle of the night from horrible panic attacks, afraid to sleep. When I first started taking hydroxyzine as needed, it was good and made me feel refreshed. Now, recently I took it, and I felt so exhausted and tired. It's been 24 hours since I took it, and I still don't feel good. I'm tired, and I've been sleeping, but it doesn't help. My body feels so weak and tired, and it's making my anxiety worse. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling tired even after taking this medication a day earlier? I really don't like this feeling. Never taking this again."

• Yik...
• July 3, 2021

For Sedation "My psychiatrist prescribed me 25 mg of hydroxyzine every night before bed to help with my insomnia. I took it one time about a month ago and woke up feeling tired and sick. I took a nap about an hour after waking up and felt bad the whole day. I took one again last night at about 11 pm. I didn't start to feel drowsy until about 2 am, but when I did, it hit me like a truck. I slept through the night until about noon. I forced myself to get up but could barely move because of how tired my body felt. Right now, I feel dizzy with blurred vision, it's slightly hard to breathe (feels like there's a weight on my chest), and I'm still exhausted to the point that I can't function properly. Only 25mg and I'm rendered useless for about 12-15 hours and feel like garbage the rest of the day. I also have severe anxiety, and this medication makes it go through the roof because I'm not in control of my body to the point that I can't move or see properly."

• Yik...
• July 3, 2021

For Sedation "My psychiatrist prescribed me 25 mg of hydroxyzine every night before bed to help with my insomnia. I took it one time about a month ago and woke up feeling tired and sick. I took a nap about an hour after waking up and felt bad the whole day. I took one again last night at about 11 pm. I didn't start to feel drowsy until about 2 am, but when I did, it hit me like a truck. I slept through the night until about noon. I forced myself to get up but could barely move because of how tired my body felt. Right now, I feel dizzy with blurred vision, it's slightly hard to breathe (feels like there's a weight on my chest), and I'm still exhausted to the point that I can't function properly. Only 25mg and I'm rendered useless for about 12-15 hours and feel like garbage the rest of the day. I also have severe anxiety, and this medication makes it go through the roof because I'm not in control of my body to the point that I can't move or see properly."

• Ado...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Sedation "I was prescribed hydroxyzine for my anxiety/sleep. My doctor said 1-2 pills for sleep at night. I sleep well with it. I used to wake up in the middle of the night with a panicked/dissociated/confused feeling without it. But I am EXTREMELY exhausted the next day or two. That makes me not want to take it anymore since I’m an absolute zombie. I took a nap and that didn’t even help! Being this groggy makes me nervous but I’m pretty sure it’s the medicine because it happened to me before when I was previously prescribed this for sleep. Be very careful guys, start with the lowest dose and work your way up! I just can’t believe 1-2 days later I’m still exhausted. Lord give me strength ✊"

• NKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2021

For Sedation "I came to this site to see if it’s normal to feel so crummy after taking this to sleep. While I am now 'asleep' for 8.5 hours, I am certain the sleep is not restorative. I wake feeling weird, groggy, detached and tired all day. My reflexes are slow and emotions are off. I prefer nighttime anxiety and sleeplessness to a full day of floating in the clouds. Never taking again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2020

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Was prescribed 10mg Atarax tablets with directions to take 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for anxiety and panic attacks. Taking 1 pill did nothing, so I took 2 the next time I felt anxiety creeping in. It made me very tired and dizzy, then sent me into a panic attack. I am better off not taking this medication when I feel anxiety coming on because it usually does not develop into a panic attack, let alone as worse as this one got."

• dru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2019

For Anxiety "I think that this is an amazing drug for individuals who have yet to be on a Benzo. I am seeing a lot of reviews by people who have previously been on Benzo, and it's hard to compare the two because Benzos have addicting properties. As an individual who hasn't been on one, I think Hydroxyzine is absolutely amazing. I will say that this is not a medication that you can take throughout the day unless you want to be extremely tired. However, this medication has helped me fall asleep at night, and has lessened my anxiety. You can literally feel the tension being lifted out of your body as the medication is kicking in. I would recommend this drug! It's genuinely been a game changer for me."

• Chr...
• November 7, 2013

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I have been taking 25 mg of Vistaril once per day for about the past month. I take it at night. I have depression and anxiety pretty bad with the anxiety being the stronger of the two issues. I can't handle stress very well at all either. I am taking 40 mg of Prozac a day also. The Vistaril at first made me drowsy and lethargic. It took me about a week to adjust. Now I feel much better. I can sleep at night and feel decent when I wake up. It's not perfect but I am not getting any side effects and it's improved my life. I would recommend trying it but I would only take at night and do not drive after taking it until you get used to it."

• Ama...
• March 11, 2017

For Sedation "I am 26 years old and have been prescribed this medication for anxiety. I took it for the first time yesterday at around 2 pm. I watched TV for about 20 mins and found it extremely hard to keep my eyes open at all. I fell asleep and didn't wake up until around 7 pm. I woke up, had a snack, and fell back asleep until 5 am. I was up for an hour and felt weak and had no energy. I went back to sleep (I tried my hardest to stay awake). It is now 3:30 pm the next day, and I feel groggy, weak, and still so tired. Needless to say, that will be the first and last time I take it."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

For Anxiety "Was prescribed hydroxyzine as an alternative to Xanax for anxiety. In my experience, it doesn’t help with an anxiety attack that’s already in progress, however, it does help with stopping that on-the-edge feeling that anxiety gives, especially at night (where my anxiety is the highest). However, prepare to be very tired and wanting to sleep. I haven’t had any dreams or anything similar that others have referenced. It also really does help with allergies and especially itchiness that I get when at the gym."

• 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."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "My psychiatrist prescribed me Vistaril for anxiety after trying plenty of other drugs (Celexa, Lexapro, and Klonopin). I was also trying other drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, and Intuniv. The first couple of days it made me tired, but like with all antihistamines I've ever taken, it wears off incredibly quickly, and I build a tolerance quite quickly. I was specifically prescribed it for anxiety, but as far as that goes, I haven't noticed a difference whatsoever. My anxiety is pretty severe, and I've had it since I was really young. Although everyone is different, and this will work differently for everyone, I have been taking it for about three and a half weeks, and the only reason I still take it is because I get nausea and allergies. But I haven't noticed a dent in my anxiety with it. I've always needed something relatively strong for my anxiety."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2012

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I love this medication. I've tried everything. This is something I only take as needed! If it makes you tired, you are taking too much... in my opinion. I thank my doctor! I hated all other medicines because I was too lethargic! I'm sure some folks need to do something stronger, as I have in the past, but this works for me! Thanks."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2012

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I love this medication. I've tried everything. This is something I only take as needed! If it makes you tired, you are taking too much... in my opinion. I thank my doctor! I hated all other medicines because I was too lethargic! I'm sure some folks need to do something stronger, as I have in the past, but this works for me! Thanks."

• Pre...
• October 3, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I was given Vistaril for anxiety, to be used 'as needed' for my panic/anxiety attacks, and for me, it did nothing but make me a little sleepy. I know most anti-panic drugs are sedatives, but those generally do more than make you tired. This one just made me tired and freaked out."

• 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."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2015

Hydroxyzine 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, 5 mg. It is enough to calm my anxiety and help me sleep without feeling uselessly tired."

• Lee...
• August 9, 2020

For Anxiety "I took this med for sleep problems and anxiety, which it works very well for relaxing my thoughts, but the only problem I had was chest pain and discomfort, and it made me extremely tired the next day, where I had a hard time getting up."

• 6pi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I'm on 6 different medications for anxiety, depression, and personality disorder. Have been for 7 years now. Atarax being the most recently added. Love it. I'm used to very strong medications, and this one helps calm me without making me feel too tired."

• Rob...
• November 30, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Two 25 mg doses, spread out, reduce anxiety for me, but it also can make me yawn and sleepy, and I don't feel safe to drive for about an hour after taking the second dose. Given that I am oversensitive to benzos, this is one of the few anti-anxiety drugs I can take without being oversedated."

• Lib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2013

For Nausea/Vomiting "This medication makes me slightly tired, but seems to work well for my anxiety. I haven't been taking it long, so I'm not sure how well it works for nausea. I have emetophobia, so I'm terrified of nausea and vomiting, so I really hope it works to keep me from getting sick!"