can't take benadryl...could i take atarax?

[verdicries]

Thanks. I'm scared to try anything...and also, I'm tired of paying for meds I use once or twice and then have to stop. We just don't have the $$ for stuff like that! My husband gets mad when I try a new med b/c he knows I'll wind up having some sort of neg. reaction and have to stop .

Grrr. Will let you know if I try it.

[Berkshire Road]

Atarax is hydroxizine; benadryl is diphenhydramine. They are both anit-histamines. Vistaril is virtually identical to atarax. My doctor says that atarax inhibits urination, which is why he prescribes it to his patients for night time use. It's supposed to cut down on night time urination and let you sleep longer. I have had good luck with it, but I don't have any problems with benadryl. I guess you'd really have to try it in order to know.

[born2swim]

I would ask your pharmacist if they are in the same class of drugs. If they are, I would stay away from it. If not, maybe you can take it... maybe. It couldn't hurt to try (as long as you aren't allergic). For example, I am allergic to Avalox (antibiotic), so all antibiotics in the Fluroquinoline class I have to avoid (such as Lovenox). I got a massive yeast infection and other horrible side effects from just one dose of Tetracycline, yet I can take Doxycycline with no trouble (even took it for a year for acne). So... just because you didn't have good side effects with one drug (even in the same class), you may be fine with another in the same class (or a separate class).

I have been on Atarax for a couple of weeks now. I was groggy the first day or two, but that wore off for the most part (yet it helps me sleep for longer intervals). Benadryl, knocks me off my feet, even when I took it every day for severe allergies (my allergies suck... allergic to everything in my environment). Now... I can't tell you from an IC stand point... but I'm just saying that one drug may act completely different when it is another class or even within the same class.

I hope this helped! Sorry if I rambled! If I were you, I'd find out if Atarax is related to Benadryl just to be sure. If you are allergic to another med in the same class, don't take it. You may do fine with it (and you may benefit from it), so give Atarax a few days. If you start to retain and urinate more, you might not tolerate it (which I have heard of with IC... but they can usually find some allergy med that works).

Ok... hope this helped! I'm done now!

[sandramac]

I can't take it as well.It just does not agree with me. I use Claratin.
Hope I was able to help . I do also take hydroxyzine 25mg at night for the bladder.
Hugs Sandra

[verdicries]

hi there,
i suffer from bad retention and really can't take benadryl (makes it worse for some reason, used to make me pee like crazy??). do you think atarax would do the same thing, or should i try it. my dr. is willing to give it to me...i just dunno. what have been your experiences? thanks!!

tracy