Two medicines, side by side
Diazepam vs hydroxyzine
Diazepam and hydroxyzine are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diazepam since 1963 and of hydroxyzine since 1956. Pharmacies paid $0.0283 per diazepam 10 mg tablet and $0.0326 per hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, diazepam is a benzodiazepine and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Check it at the source: the diazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 11, 2026); the hydroxyzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the diazepam record
Diazepam (Valium) · label of August 11, 2026
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsValium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short- term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. In acute alcohol withdrawal, Valium may be useful in the symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens and hallucinosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0283 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the hydroxyzine record
Hydroxyzine (Atarax) · label of March 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychoneurosis and as an adjunct in organic disease states in which anxiety is manifested. Useful in the management of pruritus due to allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses and in histamine-mediated pruritus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 12, 1956
- Generic labelers
- 61 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0326 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diazepam label of August 11, 2026, Hydroxyzine label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diazepam and hydroxyzine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diazepam is a benzodiazepine and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Only the diazepam label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: diazepam since 1985; hydroxyzine since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: diazepam CIV; hydroxyzine none.
| Diazepam | Hydroxyzine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety, Muscle spasms and spasticity | Anxiety, Alcohol use disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Benzodiazepine | Antihistamine |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 15, 1963 | April 12, 1956 |
| First generic approved | September 4, 1985 | August 24, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0283 per tablet (Diazepam 10 mg tablet) | $0.0326 per tablet (Hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -5% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 121,010 | 50,844 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diazepam label, drug interactionsCentrally Acting Agents If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions