Vistaril and Anxiety: What Users Say

• ser...
• November 20, 2019

For Sedation "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 the emergency because of how much anxiety I was feeling with my body feeling limp and weak. Everything about this drug affected 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."

• Mbm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2019

For Anxiety "I was given Vistaril for severe GAD with panic attacks. Very soon after taking the first one, my anxiety tripled, and I began having back-to-back panic attacks. After a call to the doctor, I was told to take a higher dose. Long story short, for whatever reason, I cannot take this medication. It has the complete opposite effect on me as it should."

• Ske...
• February 1, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on Vistaril for a little over a week now, and I have to say that it has been an overall therapeutic and positive experience. I was on Lexapro (escitalopram) for almost 3 months and found that the medicine would make me pretty anxious, though it did level me out during a very rocky time in my life. I chose to start taking Vistaril since Lexapro wasn't effective in the ways I wanted. Now on 50mg to 100mg a day, I can say that it is easier to be focused on things that I really care about. I can usually notice the subtle change in my body when it stops working (primarily in my stomach), and I'll pop another one to stay pretty level as long as it is in my system."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

For Anxiety "I was on 3 mg Xanax for 8 years and weaned off. My anxiety returned and it was a horror show. I trembled all night long, I vomited twice from anxiety, my mind started thinking suicidal thoughts, as if my mind was searching for relief. Words cannot describe how horrible it was. I was absolutely determined to get back on Xanax because what I was experiencing was simply intolerable. My doctor prescribed this and I was certain it wouldn’t work. The first day I felt jittery and cold. The second day I woke up and didn’t want to vomit. I thought it was too good to be true. There is no way an antihistamine could help my anxiety. However, it is working. I feel great, I’m focused, confident, calm, alert, sleep well. It’s so weird, zero anxiety and clear as a bell. Thank God for this."

• Tin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2018

For Anxiety "I’ve taken this medication on and off. I take it whenever I feel overwhelmed and I’m filled with anxiety. This medication helps me relax my mind. It’s also good when I can’t sleep at night. My doctor had told me to try it, and I have a lot of allergies to medication, so this medication has helped me with a lot of different uses: allergies, anxiety, and sedation. So I’m gonna say 10 out of 10. I recommend."

• sol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2015

For Anxiety "For anyone taking this medication, do not take it with any kind of antidepressants or mood medication like Celexa, Zoloft, Tegretol, Xanax, or Abilify. Definitely do not take it with Ambien. It works wonders by itself. I've been on it since 2005, it helps with the anxiety symptoms I get from my PTSD. Anytime I feel disoriented or way too anxious where I'm throwing up, it usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes to work. But it's better than the feeling of thinking that you are having a heart attack, because it's just panic. Panic attacks can be managed many ways, I use breathing techniques (child breathing will not work, lol), meditation, and medication. This is how I deal with that small aspect of my PTSD psychosis."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Anxiety "This drug is amazingly sedating. After reading the reviews, I was reluctant to take it, thinking it would not work. Boy, was I wrong. Sadly, I am starting antidepressant therapy, and my anxiety is through the roof. I was given Ativan but am reluctant to take it often for fear of tolerance and addiction. The Vistaril has really worked at calming me down after increased anxiety, especially when worrying when trying to fall off to sleep. It shut down the worry and made me slow down, which in my case is what I needed. I only took 10 mg and caution against driving or other activities until you know how it will affect you."

• Jeh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

For Anxiety "I have just started this med. This is day 3 of taking it, and it has not helped with anxiety at all. In some ways, it makes it worse. It clouds my head, and not being able to think heightens my anxiety. It does, although, put me to sleep within a couple of hours (Zzzquil does that job better, though), but the anxiety stays present."

• Guy...
• March 6, 2016

For Anxiety "My psych put me on this yesterday, and I took it today for the first time this morning. It made me feel cloudy all day, and it made my anxiety worse. Ativan works way better! Never taking Vistaril ever again!"

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2020

For Anxiety "I used to take hydroxyzine pretty regularly. It used to help a lot when I was on other anxiety meds and when I needed an extra boost. I stopped taking it for a good few months, but the last few times I've taken it have been awful. Took one today, and yeah, it helped me sleep a bit, but I was jittery, anxious, and restless."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2020

For Anxiety "I used to take hydroxyzine pretty regularly. It used to help a lot when I was on other anxiety meds and when I needed an extra boost. I stopped taking it for a good few months, but the last few times I've taken it have been awful. Took one today, and yeah, it helped me sleep a bit, but I was jittery, anxious, and restless."

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

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."

• lie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 17, 2015

For Anxiety "Did nothing for the anxiety I have. It helped a titch with the insomnia if I took the maximum dose for the day, but even then, if I couldn't sleep when it hit, then good luck: would be left feeling odd, kinda out of it, which made me feel anxious. I stopped taking it after Dr. doubled the dose to no improvement."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2016

For Anxiety "Made my hair fall out extremely bad. I think this drug made my anxiety worse."

• Ins...
• January 27, 2016

For Sedation "Took 2 25 mg 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."

• hds...
• October 12, 2009

For Pain "This medication made me very nervous and depressed. Almost like the effects I had from oxycodone. I had to stop taking it after 4 days."