Two medicines, side by side
Doxepin vs hydroxyzine
Doxepin and hydroxyzine are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxepin since 1969 and of hydroxyzine since 1956. Pharmacies paid $0.0779 per doxepin 10 mg capsule 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, doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Check it at the source: the doxepin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 30, 2025); the hydroxyzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the doxepin record
Doxepin (Sinequan) · label of December 30, 2025
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of doxepin hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDoxepin Hydrochloride is recommended for the treatment of: Psychoneurotic patients with depression and/or anxiety. Depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism (not to be taken concomitantly with alcohol). Depression and/or anxiety associated with organic disease (the possibility of drug interaction should be considered if the patient is receiving other drugs concomitantly). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 23, 1969
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0779 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
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 (Doxepin label of December 30, 2025, Hydroxyzine label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxepin and hydroxyzine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Only the doxepin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: doxepin since 1986; hydroxyzine since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
| Doxepin | Hydroxyzine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Insomnia | Anxiety, Alcohol use disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | Antihistamine |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 23, 1969 | April 12, 1956 |
| First generic approved | May 13, 1986 | August 24, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0779 per capsule (Doxepin 10 mg capsule) | $0.0326 per tablet (Hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,554 | 50,844 |
| DEA schedule | none | 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 next?
- Alternatives to doxepin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions