A 36-year-old member asked:
Is atarax (hydroxyzine) effective for sleep?
1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Evan Altmananswered
Psychiatry 21 years experience
Good sleep practices: Atarax/hydroxyzine is a prescription antihistamine/anti-allergy medication. Because it can be sedating, some people find it helpful for insomnia, at least in the short term. It is not a controlled or addictive medication like some sleep aids. Be sure to practice sleep hygiene -- structuring your sleep, avoid lying long periods not sleeping, avoid daytime napping, use bed only for sleep/intimacy.
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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tonya Kozminski commented
Family Medicine 21 years experience
Dr. A gave a great explanation, but prob ran out of space to add that antihistamine type medications for sleep long term isn't a great idea because you may physically sleep but you do not get the deep sleep cycle needed to rest and recover fully. Again as he suggested, good "sleep hygiene" (don't lay in bed not sleeping, no naps, etc.) sometimes melatonin 1-2 hr prior to bed is a safe sleep aid.
Nov 2, 2013
Last updated Mar 2, 2016
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