Hydroxyzine and Sleepy: What Users Say

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

Hydroxyzine for Allergies "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."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2016

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Really good!!!!! I like Atarax. Because: not addictive, makes me calm (and sleepy), calms anger, restlessness, and anxiety altogether. I am also on Cymbalta, and without Cymbalta, the Atarax would probably be less effective. Atarax is my go-to when I'm anxious, and I love it:)"

• Cur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2020

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I was taking Atarax before going to sleep 5 years ago and taking sertraline (in the morning). Then one day I got mixed up, took Atarax instead of sertraline (they look alike). I was ready to go to sleep in the middle of the mall. This drug made me very sluggish and just straight-up sleepy. Wouldn't recommend operating while on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I was recently prescribed this medication at night for anxiety and insomnia. So far, it definitely helps me fall asleep. It also makes me feel a little sleepy the next day as well. But I have definitely noticed a decrease in anxiety. Those racing thoughts have slowed considerably, and my body feels very relaxed and tension-free."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2017

For Sedation "I started this medication a few months back when I was taken off of Ativan, and it has helped a lot as both a sleep aid and anxiety reliever. :) It does make me sleepy after I wake up, but that normally goes away after an hour or so."

• 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."

• Cyc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2015

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "I was prescribed Vistaril because I was having high anxiety and blood pressure spikes. For the most part, it works pretty well for me. If I'm having a really bad day with my anxiety and blood pressure, I take more than the recommended dose. I've had no serious side effects on it, just occasional dizziness and it makes me sleepy when I take it before bed, but not so much during the day."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

For Allergic Urticaria "Periodically, I get hives. This time, I was prescribed the standard prednisone pack and hydroxyzine. I took the prednisone but not the antihistamine. Dumb me. The rash got better, but the back of my head began to itch terribly. As a result, large welts began to form. My hands itched, and other welts on my legs and chest began to form. So, I decided to take my hydroxyzine. I took it right before bed. When I woke up, all the welts were nearly all gone. My hands stopped itching. This drug works wonders. Yes, it made me a little sleepy. Who cares? It knocked my hives out like a heavyweight boxer."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2020

Hydroxyzine for Pruritus "I take Atarax for pruritus in liver disease. It helps me tremendously! I do get sleepy as I take 50 mg at bedtime, and it’s a bit difficult to get going in the morning. It’s also very constipating, so drink lots of water and add extra fiber to your diet!"

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2019

For Sedation "This hydroxyzine was prescribed to me for anxiety, and it makes me irritated and so sleepy. I could be in a deep sleep all day and all night, which makes it hard for me to get up for work in the A.M. I'm supposed to take it 3 times a day (25 mg), but one is enough! Hydroxyzine works great for insomnia, I give it that, but for my anxiety, not too good. I've had nights of just bad dreams, kind of like the body is asleep, mind still awake, and it sucks."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2023

For Anxiety "I have severe situational anxiety. I did not have a good experience with Xanax, all it did was make me sleepy, with no relief to my anxiety. I’ve been getting by with melatonin, but again, the relief only came from being sleepy. The last couple of months, I noted my alcohol consumption was also picking up to try to cope. I was honest with my doctor, and she suggested hydroxyzine, and I agreed to give it a try, although I was doubtful it would help. I had accepted I would just have to live with it. I can’t believe the difference it’s made in my life! I didn’t realize how badly anxiety was affecting me throughout my day. I take 25 mg at night before bed and 1/4 pill during the day situationally. It does make me sleepy, but I have been freed from soul-crushing anxiety, and I’m beginning to feel optimistic about life again."

• 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."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2012

For Anxiety "I suffer from panic disorder. It seems to get worse every winter. I went to the doctor before it got bad enough to interfere with my life. My doctor prescribed a very low dose of Celexa again, which works wonders for me, and hydroxyzine again because it makes me very sleepy and it really helps. I hadn't slept for 5 days because of heart palpitations caused by anxiety, but this makes me sleepy within an hour. The only drawback is that I am usually groggy for the first couple of hours that I'm awake, but I'll take groggy over insomnia any day."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2014

For Anxiety "I love this medicine! I was recently released from the hospital after a 1-week stay. Diagnosed with BPD and anxiety. This medicine is prescribed for me: 50 mg, 4 times a day. I don't take it unless truly needed during the day. This is my first time being on psychotropics. I take this along with Seroquel, Zoloft, and Naltrexone. I've had maybe 4 panic attacks since being out of the hospital. I had them because I went to work the day after being released, and I work in a sales environment. I didn't have my medicine on hand like I should have. I do notice that when I bring it and take it, I am not sleepy, very mellow, even, and relaxed. Thoughts are clearer and conversations more direct."

• too...
• December 19, 2013

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Was given Vistaril 25 mg for anxiety during pregnancy for traumatic events that were affecting my unborn son. Makes me pretty sleepy, but it has taken the sharp, painful edge off my anxiety within 24 hrs. I have noticed my unborn son has stopped being so painfully active and has returned to normal activity, and the heart rate has returned to normal."

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on this drug for two weeks, 25 mg every 6 hours as needed for my anxiety, and it's been great! I do get extra sleepy after, to the point where I can't function, but other than that, it's really helped me. I can actually get up and go to work. Also, whenever I feel an attack coming on at work, I take it and it kicks in within minutes. I have tried 4 other anxiety meds that didn't work, it made me worse. I'm so relieved and happy I found this. Good luck and hang in there :)"

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2016

For Anxiety "I take it 3 times a day, and it has worked like magic. Almost all my panic attacks have gone away, and just most of my anxiety in general. My only complaint is that I have trouble staying awake in class and at home, but that's probably because I'm also on a couple of other anxiety meds too. Overall, this med has helped me tremendously, and I'm really glad I found something that worked."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

For Anxiety "This medication saved me. I've never been on any sort of medication for anxiety, so I was extremely scared to start this medication... I was afraid it would make me feel worse. Quite the contrary, it completely eased my anxiety. My heart stopped racing, I now feel happy and able to function again. My anxiety was always manageable until about a week ago. Out of nowhere, it skyrocketed and was completely out of control. I went to the ER, and this is what they prescribed. I only took half a pill that was 25 mg, so about 12.5 mg. It was exactly what I needed. No side effects besides making me slightly sleepy, but totally manageable. I don't usually leave reviews, but this is something I feel strongly about. If you're hesitant, just try half a pill. It's so much more mild than most drugs prescribed for anxiety. This drug is fantastic for me!"

• Cmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2022

Hydroxyzine for Anxiety "Reading these reviews made my anxiety worse about taking this drug. But let me tell you it helps. I’m on 50 mg and I only take it as needed, so if I’m feeling anxious, I take it and start to feel better within 15-20 min. Definitely makes you a little sleepy, but not to the point where you can’t do anything. And a bit of a dry mouth, but other than that, it works great."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2020

For Anxiety "Hydroxyzine is definitely a lifesaver for anyone living with anxiety. It works well for generalized anxiety disorder, too. It will make you sleepy, but you can open the 25 mg capsule and sprinkle about 5 mg on what you’re eating, and you will be a lot less sleepy. I recommend this medication!"

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2016

For Sedation "I can never get a full night's sleep. I was prescribed this for anxiety. It helped for that, but the downfall was I got too sleepy to even function. But for sleep, this worked amazing. I woke up feeling a little groggy, but that wore off within about an hour. And, man, did I feel so rested after that!!"

• Chi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

For Anxiety "Taking 50 mg before bed. Go to sleep quickly, but wake up 3 or 4 times from bad dreams. Very tired and sleepy the next day. I can't take the dreams anymore, so will stop taking. Hope I do not have any withdrawal. I also hate when you tell your psychiatrist about the side effects, and they claim to have never heard of these side effects. Doctors think they know everything, I'm here to say they DON'T."

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

For Allergies "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."

• Tho...
• October 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I have had severe panic disorder and anxiety since I was 18. I am now many years older and still have a lot of problems with it. I was prescribed hydroxyzine and Paxil recently. I take 25 mg twice a day as needed, and overall, I would say they do cut the edge off and allow me to escape the fight or flight feeling of complete panic. The tired, laggy, drained feeling is a definite negative, although I will take that over a trip to the ER any day. Ultimately, I think other medications are far superior in truly calming the symptoms of anxiety, actually calming the mind as well as the body. Hydroxyzine usually seems to just make you sleepy and kind of sleep the fear away, whereas other medications like benzos calm you completely, without the lag."