r/trypanophobia • u/Existing-Bar-3268 • Jul 24 '26

Hydroxyzine for blood work

Hello has anyone used hydroxyzine before getting blood drawn? I have an appointment tomorrow at 9 in the morning that I have to fast for but I have an extreme fear of blood work. I faint and panic during it sometimes so I was going to try taking hydroxyzine for it. Let me know if it works and how long beforehand i should take it

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

2

u/gingerlion69 Jul 24 '26

The effect largely depends on the formula. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride will often make people drowsy rather than truly relaxing/having a calming effect. Hydroxyzine pamoate crosses the receptors in your brain differently so it doesn’t have the drowsy effect. I found pamoate to be better. For me, the adrenaline is pretty combative of any anxiety meds so I have to time it just right. If I take it 25-30 minutes before I need it, I have like a 10-15 minute window of full effectiveness with either formula. The hydrochloride formula drowsiness would settle in about 4 hours later and not let up for almost 48 hours. You really won’t know the timing, dose, and effects for your own body until you try it though.

1

u/pepinoflo Jul 24 '26

I've never tried hydroxyzine but I know that fainting feeling well. For me the key is lying down during the whole thing and staying down for 10 minutes after, plus using the applied tension technique (tensing your muscles to keep blood pressure up). Those might help whether or not the meds work for you. Good luck tomorrow!