My doctor prescribed me hydroxyzine for panic disorder and sleep. I found out it was like an antihistamine. Now I am afraid to take it because antihistamines get me all hopped up and more anxious than I was before. Has anyone had this problem while on hydroxyzine?
Can hydroxyzine make you jittery and anxious?
Question posted by DTellier on 26 May 2014
Last updated on 13 October 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
13 Answers
0003teresa
13 Oct 2023
My doctors office made a mistake and called in hydroxyzine hydrochoride (ATARAX) instead of hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril). Vistaril is more effective for anxiety, panic attacks, tension because it crosses the blood brain barrier easier. I can not take atarax as I have the same response you do. But I can take Vistaril. I highly recommend you do NOT resort to benzos. Too many horror stories. Best wishes.
WildcatVet
30 May 2023
It's an idiosyncratic reaction that affects some individuals using the medication causing the opposite effects than what you would expect. This can happen to anyone with any medication.
"Psychiatric
Postmarketing reports: Aggression, agitation, confusion, insomnia, tics".
If this happens to you just stop taking it.
milliegirl2035
30 May 2023
Yes, I was just prescribed this to help with anxiety, and after trying it a few times I noticed that it has the opposite effect on me and causes me more anxiety. It is too bad as this medicine is supposed to be the easiest to take without too many side effects.
0003teresa
13 Oct 2023
There is a lot of confusion between Atarax (hydroxyzine choloride) and Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate). I can't take Atarax for the reason you state, but I can take Vistaril.
SweetLuck
2 May 2022
I was prescribed this for poison ivy last summer and it made me feel the same way I actually could not sleep and felt terrible the next day, I can’t remember exactly how I felt terrible maybe a bad headache? But I never took it again. Some people must have the opposite reaction. I would ask your dr to try something else.
Judyrae59
1 May 2022
Hi, DTellier -
I've been taking Hydroxyzine PAM for over 7 years for anxiety and Restless Legs Syndrome and it has done wonders for me. The best thing it has done for me is help me sleep at night due to the RLS. I am prescribed 25 mg capsules and I take 3 capsules (75 mg) in the a.m. 2 capsules (50 mg) in the afternoon, and 4 capsules (100 mg) about a half hour to an hour before I go to bed. It calms my legs down and makes me just sleepy enough to be able to sleep.
I've never had it "hop me up" or make me "more anxious." In fact, just the opposite.
You may be one of those who antihistamines work the opposite for. Antihistamines usually make a person sleepy. Although if you take BENADRYL as your antihistamine some of the potential side effects are; INCREASED Anxiety, AGITATION, and NERVOUSNESS. This maybe what is causing you to feel "all hopped up and more anxious."
If you read the label for Hydroxyzine or antihistamines it says "May cause drowsiness. Use care when operating a vehicle, vessel or machine." " May cause dizziness." "May cause blurred vision."
You need to talk to your doctor and let them know what your experience has been with antihistamines, which antihistamines you have taken, and if they are OTC (over-the-counter) antihistamines or prescription antihistamines.
In my opinion Hydroxyzine is a great drug, but it also depends on the person.
Best wishes to you.
Judy
Ecsolosneak
30 April 2022
I am so grateful for this site as I was wondering what was going on with me. I have been taking half of a pill(25mg) of hydroxyzine then I decided to up my dosage as I was feeling a bit anxious. For the last two nights, I have been taking the full 50 mg and now I feel really jittery, which prompted the search. I am so jittery that I am having trouble typing this message. I usually take a half at night and it helps me to sleep however I’m becoming increasingly jittery the next day. Does anyone suggest an alternative medication?
Judyrae59
2 May 2022
What you described is a symptom/sign of your dosage being to high for you. If your doctor prescribed only 25 mg and you upped it to 50 mg it may be to much for you. Or an interaction with another medication you are taking if you are taking other medications. Your pharmacist could tell you this.
Check with your doctor and see what he says.
The signs/symptoms your dosage of Hydroxyzine is to high for you or you have taken to much is as follows:
Trembling or Shaking
Agitation
Restlessness & Coordination problems
Excitation
Confusion or Disorientation
Nausea & Vomiting
Matt777
5 Nov 2018
Yes. I was given Vistaril to help with tingly muscles as well as anxiety. It increased symptoms that act like restless leg syndrome and increased anxiety. Not pleasant.
SADPTX
15 Oct 2018
Yes - hydroxyzine makes it literally impossible to sit still. It's called akathisia and it's horrible.
carlos333
2 Feb 2018
Yes. It makes me feel nervous/jittery.
For me, it does (APO- hydroxyzine HCL 50mg).
It takes 1.5 hours to kick-in.
I don't actually feel drowsy/sleepy when it kicks in, but I feel calm/relax (no anxiety). It also help me sleep well (fall asleep faster/and keeps me asleep longer).
However, when I get up the next morning, that is when I feel a little nervous/jittery.
In addition, my Canadian doctor refused to give me anymore because he said it causes memory loss. He gave me trazodone 50mg instead.
I only used it 5 days everyday due to severe insomnia.
Mik55
23 Aug 2016
I been on this drug for 2 day and i dont like it it makes me real nervers i cant talk with out Stuttering i cant get my words out right i get so Confused when im around people or even family i dont take it any more i throwed them in the trash im not going to take any thing that makes me feel like that!!
Inactive
27 May 2014
Hello DTellier,
Yes hydroxizine can cause anxiety if you usually get it from antihistamines.
Inactive
27 May 2014
There are some antihistamines that doesn't cause one to feel anxious when you are sensitive to it. It might really help you. I suggest you give it a try.
dkay1412
26 May 2014
I didnt see anything about jitteriness and anxiety in the info i just read on this website, and i never had those effects when i took it. If youre afraid to take it, though, id either check with your doctor or call a pharmacist at a local drugstore and share your concerns. They can help you.
kaismama
26 May 2014
Its an old one, they calm you and make you drowsy at times.
DTellier
26 May 2014
Yes I know what they're "supposed" to do. I'm wondering if they will make me jittery like antihistamines do. Since they are similar to antihistamines.
Judyrae59
2 May 2022
I read an article tonight written by Dr. Ahmed Zayed, dated July 22, 2021 which said if you have the following symptoms while taking Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) the dosage for you maybe to high or you may have taken to much (more than prescribed).
Trembling or Shaking
Agitation
Restlessness & Coordination problems
Excitation
Confusion or Disorientation
Nausea & Vomiting
Think about trying the Hydroxyzine as your doctor prescribed and see how you feel. If it causes you any of the above symptoms, call your doctor and let them know. The dosage could be to high for you.
Just something to think about.
Judy
Related topics
anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, hydroxyzine, sleep, doctor, prescription, antihistamine, disorder
Further information
- Hydroxyzine uses and safety info
- Hydroxyzine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Hydroxyzine (detailed)
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