Vistaril for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• TheVi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 19, 2017

"I deal with extreme anxiety in a lot of different scenarios, likely arising out of autism. I'm on about 75 mg a day, and I cannot say I have side effects, other than waking up with a pounding heart for a few hours if I drink too heavily. I have had such good effects from the drug to the point where I can actually see major differences in how I interact with people and events and almost see a difference in my personality (for the better) over the past several years. I have recommended Vistaril to several people."

• Anxiety...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2019

"The WORST experience of my life! Took one 25mg Vistaril and had the worst panic attack of my life and had harmful thoughts! Never would recommend this drug to anyone. I couldn't breathe, stop crying, and kept having suicidal thoughts like thoroughly hated myself and wanted to slit my throat. It's the day after I took it and I feel very depressed, I have a horrible headache, and it's hard for me to breathe. I have never cried so hard in my life and I'm hyperventilating that horribly until I took that stupid medication. On top of it, it didn't even work for allergies or sedation like it's supposed to. I would have voted it 0 out of 10 but the lowest it goes is 1 and a hyperventilating that horribly , until I took that stupid medication. It didn't even work for allergies or sedation like it's supposed to. You're better off just taking Benadryl an antihistamine."

• Macke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2019

"I have severe anxiety. My first psychiatrist prescribed this to me for anxiety. It did not help but did make me sleep. Now I am going to a new psychiatrist, and he is insisting I try it again! So now I am back on it. The only way it helps relieve anxiety is by knocking you out to sleep! Sure, I’m not anxious when I'm sleeping, but I can’t sleep 24/7!"

• Tink
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2018

"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."

• BreeKG
• May 8, 2014

"My experience with it. The medicine works great for itch relief (pruritus) and anxiety. I have Graves' Disease, this was to treat anxiety temporarily after a thyroid storm. The problem I had with it was it made me too drowsy to function normally. I stayed tired and experienced grumpiness and lack of patience. I've taken Xanax and Elavil before and definitely was able to work and socialize normally, unlike with this medicine. There is no way I can take it every four to six hours and function throughout the day. I've never been one to tolerate antihistamines very well, I get the shakes, etc., and experienced the same with Vistaril. All that aside, at night, it did help me sleep and ease the anxiety as it's supposed to."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2019

"This is really not a drug for people with serious, long-term issues with anxiety. But it's also the lowest-risk prescription a doctor can write, so expect to get this as a first-line treatment in lieu of any personalized care. I have taken Vistaril on and off for nearly 10 years, and while it does help in some specific circumstances, it's just not a particularly effective drug. It basically produces a mild sedative effect that can take some of the edge off of background anxiety. If you take it on a daily basis, expect the benefits to fade somewhat. Increasing the dosage just makes you more drowsy and the side effects worse. If you can identify in advance circumstances that make your anxiety worse, taking a Vistaril before that can help alleviate things a bit. This drug will not stop or even really affect an imminent anxiety or panic attack, and even at its most effective, it won't help with many of the side effects of anxiety (rapid heartbeat, trembling, numbness, etc.)."

• Relief
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

"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."

• blott...
• March 20, 2010

"I have Chronic Anxiety associated with PTSD and chronic panic attacks. I was given this for about 4 months with no effect on my panic whatsoever. I had a doctor that was dead set against Benzodiazepines and she later put me on BuSpar for 8 months, which was also worthless. I have switched doctors and am currently on 0.5 mg of Xanax 2 times a day, and it takes care of all my symptoms."

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

"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."

• Someone...
• August 21, 2018

"I’ve taken Vistaril on and off for more than 12 years. I have PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorder. I’ve tried at least 7 different meds before I was properly diagnosed and treated with the correct medication. Vistaril and Celexa are always my go-to, they have saved my life. Vistaril is great for anxiety and panic. I keep it in my system, and it works!!! Good luck."

• Jay...
• May 13, 2011

"I'm on SSD because of severe Social Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder II with panic, and OCD. I've run the gamut with benzos and frankly, am better off without them. They're too addicting. Vistaril is a nice alternative. It's milder and is about 75% as effective as, say, Klonopin or Ativan. It works for me."

• Anony...
• August 21, 2010

"I do feel like this medicine calms me, without any side effects whatsoever. Not for someone looking for a mood change like with benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin). I love that it doesn't make me tired or loopy feeling. That said, my anxiety is not as bad as some people have it, so maybe this is not strong enough for others. No withdrawal or addictive qualities make it definitely worth trying before going to something stronger, though."

• Panic...
• May 2, 2017

"I have been suffering from 'AAD' & Panic Disorder for most of my life. Took my 1st 'classic' panic attack in the 5th grade!!! I was finally diagnosed at 23. I've been treated with Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan for this awful condition ever since. I am now 43. Because of all the abuse of these meds, though, by people that don't need it for anything except to 'get high' makes me furious!!! Because where I live in N.J., no kind of doctor wants to prescribe any kind of benzo anymore. It's awful because these meds help so many people. I was just yanked, not weaned, off the Xanax and given Vistaril 100 mg 3 times a day. This is the most awful medication I have ever taken in my life!!! I had such horrible side effects I went to the E.R.!!! TERRIBLE MED!!!"

• Lea
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

"My psychiatrist prescribed me Vistaril for anxiety after trying plenty of other drugs (Celexa, Lexapro, and Klonopin). I was also trying other drugs like Prozac, Ritalin, and Intuniv. The first couple of days it made me tired, but like with all antihistamines I've ever taken, it wears off incredibly quickly, and I build a tolerance quite quickly. I was specifically prescribed it for anxiety, but as far as that goes, I haven't noticed a difference whatsoever. My anxiety is pretty severe, and I've had it since I was really young. Although everyone is different, and this will work differently for everyone, I have been taking it for about three and a half weeks, and the only reason I still take it is because I get nausea and allergies. But I haven't noticed a dent in my anxiety with it. I've always needed something relatively strong for my anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2013

"My doctor had prescribed this for me because my anxiety ramps up when I'm trying to sleep. He started me out at 25 mg/day. While on it, I would sleep 16 hours, be a zombie for the 8 I was awake, and have really trippy dreams and terrifying nightmares—both of which felt 100% real, and some of them I had to ask if they happened. I was cut back to 12.5 mg/day, and I'm only sleeping 12 hours and groggy for four. I still have weird dreams, but they don't seem completely real as often. I have not been on it long enough for my body to adjust, so this may lessen as time goes on. It does help with the anxiety and panic attacks, although I won't drive after I've taken it, so I can only take it at home."

• Tryph...
• June 27, 2014

"This stuff was the pits. A half hour after I took my first pill, I was falling asleep. The tiredness became extremely intense. I had to cancel my plans for the evening and lay down. I was so crazy exhausted that I became anxious. I asked my prescriber for anti-anxiety medication. I have mild anxiety that makes me uncomfortable. This stuff just made me worse than a couch potato. Several hours later, I got intestinal cramps. Then I started throwing up."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2016

"I have anxiety/panic attacks. Was using Ativan, and it was great. Calmed me immediately, didn't make me drowsy or out of it, but the psychiatrist told me some people's depression gets worse. Mine didn't, but she made me switch to Vistaril, which does nothing for me. I've tried taking several at a time, and it still doesn't help. I really wish I could go back to Ativan. Hopefully, next appointment she'll let me. I cannot stand feeling like I'm having a heart attack anymore!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2015

"I was recommended to switch from Xanax to Vistaril, but the Vistaril did not help with my anxiety at all. I became extremely irritable (probably from the increased anxiety not being treated with Xanax anymore). I did not notice any positive effects even after taking it for a month. I was told this medication was fast-acting for panic attacks like Xanax, but they did not help with the panic attacks in the least bit. I highly recommend that if you have severe debilitating anxiety to not even try this drug based on what I went through."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2012

"I have been on 20mg of Lexapro and 0.5mg of Xanax for about 4 years. It wasn't until last year that I have been vomiting for no reason every morning, even if I wasn't doing anything. After avoiding food and drinks, nothing helped. So, I talked to my doctor, and he got me set up on this medicine. I've never heard of it, but for the past week, I haven't thrown up since. I figured it was due to my anxiety when nothing helped. And no, I'm not pregnant, I'm a male. The only downside for me is the drowsiness, which, like my other pills, my body needs to get used to first before I can actually function. All in all, this medicine kept me from throwing up for about a week, and I'm happy for that."

• kirst...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2015

"I have terrible anxiety coupled with really bad tactile disturbances that make me feel like I just want to crawl out of my skin or slough it like a snake. My entire body, including my eyes, felt like it was so dry and flakey I couldn't handle it. This med helps so much with that, and now I am at least comfortable in my skin even when my anxiety is at its worst."

• CJ184...
• September 7, 2017

"Worst medication ever. You can't function after you take it, and you feel terrible for days after. It's basically Benadryl (a sedating antihistamine). Does nothing for anxiety except make you feel weird and uncomfortable, then puts you to sleep. Another sorry excuse, poor man's anti-anxiety med. Stay away. If your doctor prescribes, they are an idiot."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2012

"I love this medication. I've tried everything. This is something I only take as needed! If it makes you tired, you are taking too much... in my opinion. I thank my doctor! I hated all other medicines because I was too lethargic! I'm sure some folks need to do something stronger, as I have in the past, but this works for me! Thanks."

• socal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2012

"Made me very tired and sedated, slowed heart beat and felt like I forgot to breathe. I took one 50 mg pill and it didn't kick in for 45 mins. I'd rather take a 1 mg Xanax for my panic attacks. Woke up in the morning extremely tired and foggy."

• Presl...
• October 3, 2016

"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."

• crimson...
• January 31, 2014

"Started Vistaril 25 mg last night at 10 PM. I watched some TV, then went to sleep. No anxiety and no unpleasant side effects. Today I've taken another 25 mg. I didn't feel any need to take my Ativan, but due to being on 4 mg a day for years, I did take one just to be on the safe side and not seize or anything. My experience so far has been a good one, and I hope to continue to slowly come down on my Ativan use. My meds: Lexapro 5 mg tapered down from 10 mg, Ativan 1 mg 4x daily, Fioricet when needed, and now Vistaril 25 mg every 6 hours when needed."