Hydroxyzine for Allergies User Reviews

• rza...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

"I had a sudden outbreak of eczema after a year of family health issues that caused anxiety, plus the rash was making me more anxious, and it itched constantly. I also have sinus allergies. The dermatologist prescribed Hydroxyzine HCl - 10 mg and said I should take it two times a day. I took it that first night and slept through the night. By the second day (still took only one 10 mg tablet), the eczema started to calm down, and I simply felt calm myself overall. It has been two weeks now, and the rash is gone and my head is clearer than it has ever been in my life. I am wondering how long I can remain on this drug. I see that others say the effects diminish after a while, but if I stay on this low dose, I am hoping I can stay until all the other issues of family health problems are resolved. I am wondering if there is a limit to how long one can stay on this drug. I have no side effects, and at present feel it is like a miracle. I am in my 70s."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2018

Hydroxyzine "Prescribed Atarax for anxiety by my doctor after coming in for breathing difficulties. My lungs were doing their job, but my anxiety made me feel like I couldn't get a breath. I took 25 mg when I got home, and within an hour, I felt immediately calm and sleepy. I am no longer gasping for air or panicking, but this stuff is strong, and I slept for 12 hours (though I needed it because I didn't sleep much the night prior). Atarax is also an antihistamine, so my normally itchy skin is as calm as can be. 10/10. Works well. Wouldn't take every day, as it makes me extremely sleepy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 22, 2014

"I absolutely love this medicine, it has changed my life. I have had eczema since I was a baby and extremely sensitive skin, to the point where my clothes bother me and just little things make me very irritable. I started this medication as a liquid when I was three years old, now I am 18 and I take it as a pill every day. To anyone out there who is questioning taking it, I highly recommend it. I haven't had many side effects, but I will warn you, depending on the dosage, it basically puts you to sleep. I take it right before I go to sleep, and I don't recommend taking it at any other time."

• Sne...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2016

Hydroxyzine "I have really terrible environmental allergies. My allergist has dubbed me his 'most allergic' patient. I take Zyrtec and Singulair in the morning, but I'm still itching and sneezing by nighttime. Atarax relieves my allergies at night like magic. It also helps when I have a bad reaction to my allergy shots or when something I'm extremely allergic to is in season. I also like that it relaxes me and makes me sleep. Definitely a bonus. I can also take them as needed or multiple times per day, unlike other allergy medicines."

• ale...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 20, 2015

Hydroxyzine "I have used this medication for anxiety, allergies, and to help me fall asleep for 14 years, and have not had any reaction other than those needed. Now the insurance states that it is not appropriate for use in the elderly. I am 69."

• Ash...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 17, 2016

"I was prescribed this medication when I was 7 years old to treat my skin allergies, and it really helps me. It's the kind of medicine that relaxes you and clears your tension to the point where it makes you very sleepy. A major side effect of this drug is that it causes drowsiness, so it would be best to take it maybe 2 hours prior to your bedtime. I also always wake up very hungry, and I believe it has something to do with your hormones. It can be taken to reduce anxiety, help insomnia, or maybe even increase your appetite. Never experienced anything bad from it. Been on the medication for 12 years."

• the...
• June 23, 2011

Hydroxyzine "Works great against allergies (25 mg) and also somewhat against asthma (due to the anticholinergic properties: dilates the airways). When taking Atarax, I can reduce the amount of asthma reliever medication (terbutaline). Side effects: drowsiness (in the beginning), headache (disappeared after the third pill), muscle twitches, and some muscle aches."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

"I normally take Allegra and Flonase for my allergies. However, when I have breakthrough allergic symptoms, all I have to do is take a small dose of hydroxyzine (10 mg), and I feel significantly better within half an hour. Granted, it does make me feel somewhat sedated. However, that's pretty much a given for all first-generation antihistamines. Furthermore, it makes me feel less out of it than Benadryl does. And, unlike Benadryl, hydroxyzine doesn't make my asthma worse; it actually improves my lung function! It does make me feel sleepy for at least 8 hours, but my allergies make me feel sleepy anyway, so this side effect doesn't really matter."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2025

"I originally took this medicine for anxiety. Something mild just to take the edge off. Ok, cool, does that, but then after a few days, I noticed my skin started clearing up. I have psoriasis and am also allergic to most soaps. I break out from anything. So that’s that. Good stuff."

• Eur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2012

Hydroxyzine "I took Atarax when a child and started taking this medicine again approximately two years ago, from my allergist. I have tried basically all modern oral prescription medicines (and those which have become over-the-counter). My allergies induce asthma! I take specifically created allergy antigen shots (two per week/two different vials) from my allergist, which help greatly. Normally, unless I live on the coast, I'm bothered by indoor (dust, mold), outdoor (weeds, plants), and food allergies in the warm (non-frost/freezing) months. Each year, allergies have become worse. I can take this one tablet once per day or two pills at once if having a severe attack. I certainly recommend having an allergist doctor, in addition to your regular general practice doctor. This prescription does not make me sleepy, though people say it can."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2011

Hydroxyzine "For allergies, I give this medicine a perfect score, however, the side effects bring my rating down. I suffer from seasonal allergies, and most over-the-counter medicines work, but have limited and sometimes almost no effect. Hydroxyzine was prescribed to me for a skin condition, but I quickly realized that I didn't sneeze or sniffle for upwards of 3 days on one 25 mg dose. The side effects for me are heavy drowsiness when combined with alcohol or a few nights of inadequate sleep (where I would normally be 'okay' with coffee). Sometimes taking it before bed helps, sometimes it doesn't. I also feel removed and emotionless on occasion. These feelings get worse the longer I am on the medication. I don't get sad or happy - it's weird."

• DRD...
• January 8, 2014

"My sinus drainage wouldn't stop with Benadryl, and I decided to try hydroxyzine at 50 mg every 8 hours. But within 5 hours, my sinus started draining again. Every six hours worked fine, then after two days, the drainage was under control. Helped me sleep better at night, and side effects were minimal."

• Tee...
• June 19, 2014

"I have just recently started taking this for allergies that leave me with hives and/or rashes. I have found it very effective, it doesn't take long before it starts working. I have realized that it does sedate me and/or is very effective, it's very hard to wake up while under the influence of this medicine."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

Hydroxyzine "My son, who is 33, was given Vistaril after going to the emergency room with an autoimmune rash that was flaring up. He was told to take one to two 25 mg capsules every 6 hours as needed for itching. He began acting very strange. I worked, so I was being told of his behavior by his brother and stepdad. I told him to stop taking it, then I took the pills away and flushed them. I counted them, and in the 6 days he had them, he only took 5 pills. This is what Vistaril did for him: it caused visual and auditory hallucinations, severe paranoid anxiety, extreme dry mouth, tremors, stuttering, and many other things. He thought everyone was trying to kill him, everyone he looked at had rivers of tears running down their face. It is killing me hearing all of it. He’s been very traumatized. Hopefully, he will be able to feel better soon."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2012

"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."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2015

"This medication was prescribed to me in May (2015) 150 mg as needed to treat anxiety, but my pharmacist also said that it treats allergies, such as skin conditions. I take 50 mg at night for sleep because of anxiety, and I sleep really well at night. I usually have an eczema breakout in really cold winters and humid summers. Ever since I started this medicine, I have not had any skin allergies. This medicine also works well for detox, such as Xanax and Klonopin addiction. People who whine about this medicine not working, it's probably because you haven't been on it long enough for the medicine to work. I asked my pharmacist about it."

• Bro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2016

"I itch day and night. I tried lotion, it relieves a little, and I told my doctor that I've taken a lot of allergy pills and still itch. The doctor started me on 180 mg Vistaril, and itching is controlled, and so are my allergies. Even though I fall asleep, I take it twice a day, which I need to control all-over itching because sometimes it's so bad I scratch."

• JAn...
• September 22, 2017

"As for me, I've been struggling with allergic rhinitis, and my doctor said it was hereditary, so every now and then I have it when triggered by less sleep, stress, and poor nutrition. Now to the results, it just works wonders for me since my rhinitis usually pairs with acute bronchitis, so it's very hard for me to sleep because my nose is clogged, and I have to breathe with my mouth, and it can be one of the worst things because my cough would then be triggered by the dryness of my throat. Every time I take Iterax (Philippines brand name), I can finally sleep smoothly without being disturbed and it helps with the itchy but hurting throat and clogged nose. Hope this helps. Been a living witness to this medication."

• hah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

"I started using hydroxyzine 2-3 weeks ago to help with intense itching from my eczema, especially during the nighttime. So far, it’s helped me not itch my arms and legs as much, but the results are not the same for my face, which I find odd and might be because I did wet wrap therapy, which also helped my body. Also, I don’t have any side effects of drowsiness at all."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2022

"Everyone responds to drugs differently, and I know that I am a rare case, but wanted to share in case I can help anyone. I started noticing heart palpitations when I took hydroxyzine, but I thought that the cause was my anxiety. I then took an antidepressant for anxiety, and it made me feel like I was having a heart attack. I had severe heart pain, squeezing, radiating into my neck and arm. I ended up passing out and having to call 911. Even after being to the ER and 10 other doctors, I was told that my heart was fine, and I “just have anxiety.” Turns out it was the hydroxyzine causing this the whole time, as I found out on my own by Googling it. If you see this post and you are having heart side effects from hydroxyzine, you are not crazy! Stop the medicine and your heart will return to normal!"

• Edi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2014

"This medicine is way too powerful for my issue. I was attacked by bedbugs and given this prescription for itching. I am overly tired, get dizzy spells, and have had consecutive nightmares. It works if you plan on spending the next 24 hours at home."

• Buf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2016

"I love this medication. I have been in and out of the hospital due to kidney problems. I cannot take any opioids without getting hives, this has worked beautifully. As long as I take it beforehand, I have no problems."

• Sky...
• November 14, 2016

"I am highly allergic to...oregano! Sounds strange - but true. I will develop blisters on my lips where the oregano touched. It started when I was cooking spaghetti in a friend's kitchen. Going through the spice cabinet, I found powdered oregano. I smelled it and found it smelled so good that I kept smelling it from its container as I cooked. The next morning, the end of my nose, around both nostrils, and my lips were covered with blisters! Before doing this, I had no allergy to oregano! (So don't do this!) Now, when I feel a blister beginning to form on my lips, I have to take fast action. Atarax works well and quickly...which is what I need in order to stop the reaction."

• mmo...
• July 20, 2015

"My 4 1/2-year-old started taking this when he was 2 for a severe dust mite allergy. He takes the maximum dose for his weight. It does help tremendously. If he misses a dose, his skin breaks out in a rash. Unfortunately for him, it has the opposite effect than it does with most people. It causes hyperactivity and insomnia."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2021

"I have been taking hydroxyzine for 6 days for itching from my skin condition. I also am not sleeping well because of the itchy skin, so I was prescribed this. I thought great, it will do two birds with one stone since it claims to help both problems. I took no more than 25 mg, 3 times a day. It did knock me out day 1, but only for a short time and did little for the itch. Since then, it has been causing terrible insomnia and anxiety for me. Not to mention the medicine head feeling all the time and lack of concentration. I never stop feeling groggy but can't sleep either. I have also experienced jerks or a feeling of falling while trying to sleep. And it still hasn't done much for the itch on day 6. I'm not taking this stuff anymore as of this review. Hopefully, I won't experience any withdrawal symptoms as it claims it won't, but I don't trust this stuff. I would not recommend trying this medication."