Can You Take Hydroxyzine for Sleep?

When someone has pruritus, hydroxyzine may be prescribed for the itching, especially if it is caused by allergic conditions. For some, hydroxyzine is used to treat alcohol withdrawal because of its effect on nausea and vomiting. This medication can also be used to treat tension or anxiety and has been used for sedation before or after anesthesia. This leads some to ask if it is OK to take hydroxyzine for better sleep.

Can You Take Hydroxyzine for Sleep?

Yes. Most antihistamines have a very sedative property and hydroxyzine is no different. This can make it good for treating insomnia. Commonly 25-50 mg is prescribed to help a person sleep. However, you should not take hydroxyzine without consulting your doctor first. You need to make sure it is safe for you to take.

It should be noted that in some cases, this drug will have a person still feeling drowsy the next day. Some potential side effects are:

Precautions to Know Before Taking Hydroxyzine

Make sure that hydroxyzine for sleep is the right treatment for you and speak to your doctor if:

How to Treat Insomnia

Since hydroxyzine for sleep doesn't safely work for everyone, it is not a recommended solution if you suffer from insomnia. But you can consider the following common treatment options.

Lifestyle Changes

If you are having trouble sleeping, you should first avoid things that can make it worse.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an important step to help you sleep better. This typically works well or saves you from medications such as hydroxyzine for sleep. This is where you are taught to recognize and change your behaviors to help eliminate negative thoughts that are keeping you awake. Some strategies may include:

Medications

You may need to use prescription drugs to fall asleep. It is not recommended to rely on medication, but in some cases, it may be necessary for short term use.

Some meds are:

It is recommended to use prescription pills with caution as they can have side effects. There may be the risk of falling, daytime sleepiness, or addiction. Talk to your doctor before starting a medication and express your concerns.

There are medications you can get without a prescription to help you sleep better. Often antihistamines can make you drowsy but aren’t meant for long term use. You should speak to your doctor before trying these and discuss possible side effects.

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