Antihistimines for anxiety? - Anxiety Message Board

Rianna · 03-26-2006, 05:27 PM

I took an Alavert the other day and it made me feel really good, very alert and it also helped a lot of with anxiety. Interesting. I wonder why this happens? My friend said she took a Benadryl before going in to surgery and it helped calm her down a lot. Has anyone had anything similar occur with anxiety by taking an antihistimine?

hry33 · 03-26-2006, 09:57 PM

older antihistamines usually sedate as a side effect and were popular as tranquillisers until valium came along, the sedation varies a lot from 1 to another person, feeling hung over all the next day is an occasional side effect

sam2003 · 04-25-2006, 04:30 PM

I experience frequent anxiety. Last month I had a bad head cold, and bought the generic form of Claritin at Walgreen’s, in order to clear up my sinuses. After taking it, I found that my anxiety was greatly reduced.

Doing research online, I have read that some types of antihistamines are used to treat anxiety. However, nowhere have I found that loratadine (the active ingredient in Claritin and Alavert) is used for this purpose. In fact, in some people, antihistamines actually increase anxiety.

I am glad that it’s worked well for me…has anyone else had a similar experience?

haleysmum · 04-27-2006, 05:45 AM

Hi I just came off of an antidepresant called remeron ( mirtazapine ), one of the things in it is an antihistimine . Definately helped me with my anxiety and I slept like a baby every night. But the down side was that it made me eat like a wild animal

So yep I would definately believe that they would reduce anxiety

tnmomofive · 04-27-2006, 05:48 AM

Yep antihistamines do increase anxiety for some they do that to me.I will have palpitations and feel on edge after taking some cold meds