Two medicines, side by side
Hydroxyzine vs sertraline
Hydroxyzine and sertraline are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of hydroxyzine since 1956 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0326 per hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet and $0.0507 per sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the hydroxyzine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023).
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
Highlights of the sertraline record
Sertraline (Zoloft) · label of August 8, 2023
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: indicationsZOLOFT is indicated for the treatment of the following [See Clinical Studies (14) ]: • Major depressive disorder (MDD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Panic disorder (PD) • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Social anxiety disorder (SAD) • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) ZOLOFT is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of ( 1 ): • Major depressive disorder […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0507 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Hydroxyzine label of March 3, 2026, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do hydroxyzine and sertraline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Only the sertraline label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: hydroxyzine since 1979; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Hydroxyzine | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety, Alcohol use disorder | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Antihistamine | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 12, 1956 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | August 24, 1979 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 61 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0326 per tablet (Hydroxyzine HCl 25 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 18 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 50,844 | 218,311 |
| 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?
Sertraline label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents, but also when taken alone.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to hydroxyzine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions