Two medicines, side by side
Duloxetine vs hydroxyzine
Duloxetine and hydroxyzine are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of duloxetine since 2004 and of hydroxyzine since 1956. Pharmacies paid $0.102 per duloxetine HCl DR 30 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, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Check it at the source: the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024); the hydroxyzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the duloxetine record
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) · label of May 14, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDRIZALMA SPRINKLE is indicated for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder in adults • Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in adults • Fibromyalgia in adults • Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in adults Additional pediatric use information is approved for Eli Lilly and Company, Inc.’s CYMBALTA (duloxetine delayed-release capsules). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 56
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 (Duloxetine label of May 14, 2024, Hydroxyzine label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do duloxetine and hydroxyzine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and hydroxyzine an antihistamine.
Only the duloxetine label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: duloxetine since 2013; hydroxyzine since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
| Duloxetine | Hydroxyzine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain | Anxiety, Alcohol use disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor | Antihistamine |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 3, 2004 | April 12, 1956 |
| First generic approved | December 11, 2013 | August 24, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.102 per capsule (Duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule) | $0.0326 per tablet (Hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 56 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 69,298 | 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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, intravenous methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to duloxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions