Questions about hydroxzine/Atarax/Vistaril

[massagedoula]

1.) What is the exact difference between Atarax, Vistaril, and Hydroxzine? Which one are most people using? The doctor presecribed me generic hydrozxine, should I be taking one of the brand names instead?

2.) Why every time I research it do I come up with it being an anti-mania/psychosis med or a sleep aid? That is quite odd...I thought it was a simple antihistamine.

3.) I read that Zyrtec is hydrozxine changed a bit so it does not make you drowsy. Why can't we use Zyrtec instead of the Hydroxzine so we don't get sleepy from it?

[dyno]

I will take a stab at this. Hydroxyzine is the generic name. They are basically the same medication. Atatrax is Hydroxyzine HCL and Vistaril is Hydroxyzine Pamoate. In the IC Survivial Guide, sold on this website, it says some people tolerate Vistaril better. I have not really heard much difference on here from people though.

2. There is a little bit of anti anxiety effect in this from what I have read. The antihistamine portion would work on the Mast Cells in the bladder. As far as a sleep aid, that is one of the reasons I like it, because of the drowsiness factor I do get more uninterrupted sleep.

3.I can't tell you anything about Zyrtec. I have been taking Vistaril 25 mg. up to 3 times a day for 3 years now. It has really helped me. I do have allergies and during allergy season, like right now, I am taking 2 or 3 a day. I normally only use it at night though.

I hope that helps a little.

[massagedoula]

I am just curious why my uro would prescribe me the generic hydroxzine and not the name brands atarx and vistaril, like I see that many people are taking. I don't know if it was that she was trying to save me money or if it really is all the same, though if it was all the same, wouldn't all of you be taking generics?

[tigger_gal]

I take 75 mg of Hydroxizine a night. Its all the same just different manufacturers.. The only difference is the name and the cost of the drug. Dyno's discription is right on target. Just take this b4 you go to bed, instead of the morning this way you will not be tired during the day.
brat

[dyno]

I will add though that I do take it during the day and can function just fine. It will relax me but if I don't lay down it won't make me sleep.

[Sarojini]

Many of us are taking the generic version, but refer to them on the boards as Atarax or Vistaril. Generally doctors prescribe the generic because it saves a lot of money -- for example, even though I have insurance, brand name Atarax would cost $25, while the generic costs a whopping $5. :)

[ICPrincess]

The generic saves you money but if you look at the prescription, it should have letters after the Hydroxyzine. That will tell you which form you are taking. Mine is for Atarax, but the pamoate is supposedly tolerated a little better. I asked my doctor to prescribe me that Pamoate but that does not come in low doses like the Hydroxyine HCI (Atarax). I didn't want to start at 25MG, so I kept the original prescription. Either one is supposed to be best at reducing mast cells in the bladder. I opt more for good ole Benadryl but that won't reduce as many cells as Atarax (though I feel that in conjunction with the Elavil, I am still getting a good one two punch at the problem). Hydroxyzine makes me a little jittery which I didn't like. Bendaryl calms me and puts me to sleep.

[emilyrose197377]

Hydroxyzine and atrax is the same medicine it is suppose to help the bladder lining against histamine affects . It can be used as a sedative and a sleep aid but is used for ic symptoms as well. I hope this helps.

[vm]

Mine comes generic, too. Most pharmacies by law have to supply the generic unless you or your doctor request otherwise. Same med - just not the brand name on the label.

[Romans8:28]

Mine also is generic. From what I understand the brand name does not come in the 25mg form. I am on generic atarax and it helps a lot. I do ask for the plain white ones since dyes are a problem for me. Also for the record benadyrl is also used for axiety and nausea becomes both of them help you to relax.

[massagedoula]

So is the 25 mg the lowest dose possible? If I try iot out, can I cut it in half at first? I asked the pharmacist and she said that is fine, but I wanted to ask you guys too. I get lots of side effects from drugs so I want to start slowly...

I am glad that the hydroxyzine/ataraz/vistaril name thing got cleared up. I did not know that you all were taking the generic but referring to it as the brand name. I thought I was given the wrong stuff!

[dyno]

Yes, I also take generic, the Vistaril generic, Hydroxyzine Paomate. I do think it comes in a lower dose in a syrup form.

[windwalker]

My generic is 10 mg, I am supposed to take it in the morning and at nite, first two or three nites it knocked me out, no groggy feeling tho next day, no problems staying awake in the morning either.

[SandyRN]

I love the hydroxyzine---my doctor calls it Atarax, and like everyone has told you they are basically interchangeable.

I take 25 mg at night, and have occasionally taken another 25 mg during the day...I have allergies too and it really helps a lot this time of year with the allergy symptoms. I have asked my uro to up my dose to 25 mg 2 -3 x a day---that way I have plenty with fall coming up, and hopefully it will help my bladder a bit more by increasing the dose.

I also like the anti-anxiety effect of it. We used to give it to pregnant ladies who were in the unit long term, and it's safe enough to give during pregnancy, and they all really had good results from it.....the calming effect is a really good thing for me, and I don't need to take anything stronger like Ativan, Klonopin, etc.

[traceann]

Yep, mines generic too, just easier to type out Vistaril than hydroxyzine, LOL!!! I too love the stuff, wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Sandy, how do the extra dosings affect you? I get so damn sleepy about an hour after taking mine, I can't imagine taking it during the day!! I too take 25mg at bedtime.

Hugs!

[SandyRN]

Tracey, have you looked at the medications I take?!? LOL It takes a WHOLE lot to knock me out!!

Actually, when I first started taking the hydrox. it did make me very sleepy, but I guess I've grown used to it...like someone said above, if I don't lay down, I'm ok, but it relaxes me...and usually, if I do fall asleep it's not the end of the world. I just won't drive and take it.

[massagedoula]

My uro told me that 25 mg was the smallest dose, but I see that windwalker takes a 10mg? Can anyone shed any light on this???? Can I cut mine in half to start out with?

[traceann]

Well, Sandy I can see your point, lol!! ;) 'Nuff said!!

My Hydroxy comes in a capsule, I am not sure you can split that, lol. Hopfully windwalker will chime in on how she gets 10mgs!! :)

Hugs!

[windwalker]

mine is a very teeeeeeny brite orange pill, the bottle says hydroxyzine HCL 10 mg Tablewat (yup dunno what that part means but thats the spelling) under that it says Watson labs then under that Generic for Atarax 10 mg tablet ROE. My uro prescribed it and CVS had it. :)

[ICPrincess]

I was given 10MG as well. No way would I start higher because I am so super sensitive to meds. I actually started a thread out here talking about how just the 10MG made me feel like night of the living dead...total zombie...lol. I think it gets better with time, but I stopped it. I am taking only the Elavil for now. It was just too much at once for me. I take the Hydrozyine (Atarax).

[massagedoula]

I left a message for my uro to ask if I could get the 10mg, or else cut my 25 in half...I'll see what she says. Still have not taken any of the meds yet....

[massagedoula]

The nurse got back to me with a message saying that I can cut the 25 mg in half. I asked if instead I could just get the 10mg. She said that that is not the "normal" dose for IC. I said that I wanted to start slow, then I would ease my way up to the 25mg. She told me that she would get the nurse practitioner to call me in 2 weeks of the 10mg. I asked if she could make it 3 weeks....

So hopefully she did that! I will go to the pharmacy this evening and see.

It is odd because I asked the NP at my last visit when she was writing the scrips if the 25 mg was the lowest dose and she said "yes". It is funny that there was a 10mg all along....

[ellienor]

I have the genaric atarax, 10 mg. To start with I took 1/4 of this pill and it made me very sleepy.
I kept on this dose for 3 days, then upped it to 1/2 pill ( 5 mg ) and stayed on that for weeks, because it helped me enough to get out of a flair.
ellie

[mela414]

just started atarax last night. I took about 5 mgs to stqart as I am very sensistive. Hopefully I will be able to build up to a larger dose. I woke this mornng about 1 and a half hours a go feeling trembly. does this side effedct go away withy time. Also, Ive been reading that a lot fo you take it twice a day. I was ony prescribed once a day. Should I wait til my body adjusts and then try to add in the second dose? I don't know what effect it will have on me during the day but I'll do anything to get this pain to subside!

[traceann]

I only take one dose of 25mg at bedtime. That's been working wonderfully for me, ;) I think any and all side-effects I had disappeared in a few days to a week or so! I still though, get pretty sleepy (like today) if I take it too late at night. I try to get it taken fairly early, a least an hour or two before bedtime (usually around 9 or 10). I took it at bedtime, last night, about 11 and having a tough time waking up today, feeling pretty darn sleepy....;)

Hugs!

[mela414]

Thanks for sharing your info tracey. How do you feel that it helps? Does it help with the pain? I see you also take elmiron...something that I couldn't take because of stomach problems with it. I'm not sure what helps what or if all things together just help in general. Do you have a problem with frequency too? that doesn't seem to be a problem for me.
hope you start to feel better as the morning goes on.
I got hit with some type of virus yesterday and it is dragging me down. It flares up my fibro and I am so wiped but keep trying to push myself. I may run an errand or two and then just rest!
take care :)

[traceann]

Hey there Mel! It would be hard to get me to give up my hydroxyzine! LOL I am sure the stuff has really helped me out immensely. I have been able to knock my ditropan dose from 5mg 3x's a day down to one 5mg at bedtime (for spasms, never helped with frequency). So to me it's showing that the hydorxy and elmiron are the power players. I am sure I have read on these boards at one time or another, that some are able to control their IC with just the hydorxy. So, it's definitely worth giving it a good chance! I also remember that it seemed to increase my frequency for a few days to a week, but that went away. I did have probs with frequency in the beginning, but now down to 8-10 times a day, from 30+. So, happy about that! LOL

Oh sheesh, I certainly hope you kick this bug you got, that totally sucks! Yep, I agree rest would be a good thing!! ;)

Glad I could help a bit!!!
Hugs!

[Janie Miranda]

I had some side effects from it and almost didn't continue with the medicine. It gave me nightmares and a kind of anxious feeling but I stuck it out and have definitely found it to help. yes, it even helps with my pain. I've only been on it a few weeks now. I tried taking two doses a day and unfortunately I don't think I can handle that but once a night has been enough to make a difference. Hope it helps you too.

[mela414]

Thanks guys..........looks like I am going to stick wth it for a while and see if it helps.
so far the first morning effects are gone...yeah....not too termbly anymore!
I'm glad it's helping you........

[windwalker]

Glad to hear the side effect is gone. Thats a good sign, hope it works out for you! Now, I have read most take it once a day, however I am a twice a day, just started it on Sept. 16th. so far, no problems, no groggyness nothing. Hoping it "works" :)

[Violin]

This summer without knowing for sure that I was having IC, I started to take by my own Atarax at my mother's house on vacation. Because I felt a bit of obsession on my urethra pain and also because one new doc I visited there at may mum's said it could be neurological, (so it can be my head but not my bladder) so to decrease y worries I started to take Atarax which always have with me for my allergy. I was taking ½ of 25mg at night. I felto pretty well whole next day. Atarax definitely helps me to sleep better and calm me down.

:grouphug:

Violin