Skip to main content

Vistaril for Sedation User Reviews

Vistaril has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 16 reviews for the treatment of Sedation. 44% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 31% reported a negative experience.

Vistaril rating summary

5.9/10 average rating

16 ratings from 16 user reviews.

Compare all 24 medications used in the treatment of Sedation.

10
19%
9
13%
8
13%
7
0%
6
6%
5
19%
4
0%
3
6%
2
13%
1
13%

Reviews for Vistaril

  • Rachel
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 11, 2019

"Everyone listen up. This is the WORST drug EVER. Within a few months I went from 110 pounds to 178 pounds. Now I am on a very restrictive diet and I exercise as much as I am able to but still cannot lose the weight. I see my psychiatrist on the 27th of this month but I officially have tossed the pills tonight. No more of this medication. I never thought in a million years that I would be considered obese. I am 5'3 and my natural weight is around 110 pounds. The massive weight gain has destroyed any progress I have made in my mental health and it has destroyed my confidence and self-esteem. I feel like crying. I pray that I will start dropping all of the weight soon!!!!!! Never thought this could happen to me!!!!!! We all have moments where we say, "That could never happen to me." But guess what, I was wrong!!!!! If you are concerned about weight gain, never take this drug!!!!!! I want to let people know that they need to BE CAREFUL with this drug!!!!!!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
262 Report
  • ser
  • November 20, 2019

"My doctor prescribed me this drug Vistaril as I have trouble sleeping. I was getting around 5 hours of sleep and with Vistaril I am now getting 3 hours. It makes you feel drowsy, but not in a good way. Falling asleep on this drug is very difficult. I wake up several times during the night and the next morning I don’t know if I was asleep or awake during the night. I feel the side effects of this drug a whole 24 hours after taking it. The next morning after taking it for sleep, my muscles do not work properly and I feel like I’ve lost motor function in my limbs and fingers. My brain is not comprehending information quickly and I have a hard time typing and reading. I was out and felt like I had to be taken to emergency because of how much anxiety I was feeling with my body feeling limp and weak. Everything about this drug effected me negatively. Didn’t help with my anxiety. Didn’t help me fall asleep. I’ve only taken this drug 3 times (not even in a row) and will not be taking it again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
120 Report
  • KClean
  • July 1, 2008

"I have tried Ambien, Cymbalta, Clonazepam, etc for insomnia. All have had the opposite effect - keeping me awake worse than if I hadn't taken anything. Nothing has helped me sleep as well as Vistaril, with no side effects. I wake up refreshed every morning without any fatigue."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
261 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Cjprc
  • September 26, 2016

"Taking Vistaril to help me sleep. I work nights, it's particularly difficult to sleep. This med just helps me to doze off & stay asleep. There's no "drugged" feeling when I wake up. I do feel like it takes a little longer to get fully awake, but don't feel hung over like trazodone made me feel. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a very good non-narcotic sleep aid."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
86 Report
  • Lee
  • October 26, 2020

"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 min 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."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • KickR...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 17, 2014

"My psychiatrist just prescribed me this medication to help me sleep at night since I have trouble sleeping, supposedly it takes 15 to 45 mins to take in effect, the only effect I got was a calming effect but wasn't sleepy like it was intended for..therefor I became more agitated, crying for no apparent reason, and more fidgety then ever..So unfortunately I was the unfortunate one where it does not work for."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
57 Report
  • Graci...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 31, 2024

"I use this to sleep every night. I take the lowest dose because of how strong it is. I take it around 9 pm otherwise I can't wake up the next morning until 11. LOVE THIS MED! It has taken away my insomnia and I have very little drowsiness the next day, yes I have some but that's a part of taking meds. This is the best non-addictive sedative. I would only recommend for sleep and at night; it's like Benadryl. It's not meant for daytime and I have never taken it during the day... it would turn me into a vegetable. As far as I know, this med works great for one thing. Allergies at night and sleep. Anxiety during the day? Allergies. NO. Amazing med for nighttime. Take a very low dose. Otherwise, you won't wake up for 10-11 hours. This med is a lifesaver."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report

More FAQ

  • unico...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 24, 2019

"Prescribed 25 mg Vistaril 1 to 2 pills as needed at night for sedation and anxiety. On the first 3 nights it made me sleep very deeply. Woke up several times gritting my teeth. Next day felt drunk and slept way too much. I was irritable and overwhelmed by everything. The 4th night which was last night I didn't sleep as well and woke up way too early. Also the drunk drowsy feeling is gone. I may quit taking it but am going to stick with it another week to see how it helps with anxiety."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report
  • DaniG
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 26, 2015

"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 am!). She prescribed 25 mg of Vistaril - take one at bed time. 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."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
35 Report
  • Dixon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 7, 2015

"I have chronic insomnia, my doctor had me on 2mg of Xanax which worked great. When I switched Drs, they wouldn't write prescriptions for Xanax. Put me on Restoril, didn't work, now I've been on 50mg Vistaril for several nights. It helps me sleep pretty well, but during the day I feel so out of it. I am so dizzy and light headed, even when I'm sitting I feel like I'm going to pass out! If this keeps up, I don't think I'll be able to continue this medication."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report
  • Donna
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 18, 2021

"I have been taking 50 mg of Vistaril at night for sleep. I sleep well with it but notice I am in a bad mood "snappy" the next day. I am also prescribed Klonopin which I take during the day as needed. I notice I am having to take Klonopin more consistently to take the edgy feeling away. I think also Vistaril is causing some mild depression. I was on Trazodone at night for sleep for years but had to stop because it was causing panic attacks the next day; plus I felt drugged up. My Dr prescribed Dayvigo recently buy I noticed that made me very hungry the next day as well I felt angry; sleep quality not that good. I have tried a lot of things to help me sleep but usually can't tolerate side effects. So back to trying to reset my natural sleep clock - without meds."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • DOano
  • March 22, 2021

"Glad for this when I needed it and glad that I've stopped it. Needed to sleep and this helped but now can sleep without it and glad to be off because I had difficulty motivating myself to get up and moving in the morning. Weight gain, sluggishness, increased appetite, and a whole slew of potential bad side effects."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Icant...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 29, 2022

"50 mg prescribed to me by MD as a stopgap for what I hope is acute insomnia, but honestly, I'm ready to give up. This medication only gets me as far as the "about to fall asleep" phase, and that's it. Doctors, please read these reviews and stop prescribing allergy meds to help insomniacs sleep. The only thing you are doing is driving us crazy."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • Graci...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 31, 2024

"People that are reading these and seeing all the bad reviews. It's because these people are taking way too much. I only take about 10 mg a night to sleep and it works beautifully. I sleep great as long as I take them by 9 - 9:30 pm. If I take them at 10:30 I can't wake up until about noon. But, I've been taking hydroxyzine/Vistaril for about 4 months and I haven't had a bad night's sleep. My insomnia is gone which destroyed me for many months. I am absolutely in love with this med at a very low dose of 10. You do not need any more people. This medication is strong!! You will feel slightly tired the next day but it's no biggy. Just don't take this med during the day; only at night! Good luck people, and enjoy sleeping again"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Your...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 23, 2013

"I've tried this and am so glad. I'm now on this one!"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
52 Report
  • Insom...
  • January 27, 2016

"Took 2 25mg vistaril as ordered. My mind did rest and sleep but had really strange dreams. But didn't wake till morning. Just extremely anxious now because of the freaky dream."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report

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.

Learn more about Sedation

Medicine.com guides (external)