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What Is Atarax?

Atarax is a trade name for hydroxyzine hydrochloride, a prescription antihistamine. Atarax-branded tablets are listed as discontinued in the United States, while generic hydroxyzine hydrochloride remains available. Current generic labeling lists uses for anxiety and tension, itching from allergic conditions, and sedation before or after general anesthesia.

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What Is Atarax?

Atarax is a trade name for hydroxyzine hydrochloride, a prescription antihistamine. Atarax-branded tablets are listed as discontinued in the United States, while generic hydroxyzine hydrochloride remains available. Current generic labeling lists uses for anxiety and tension, itching from allergic conditions, and sedation before or after general anesthesia.

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How Does Hydroxyzine Work?

Hydroxyzine has antihistaminic activity and also suppresses activity in certain subcortical regions of the central nervous system. These actions are associated with relief of itching, anxiety symptoms, and sedation. Clinical effects after oral dosing are generally noted within 15 to 30 minutes.

What Conditions Are Treated With Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride?

Current hydroxyzine hydrochloride tablet labeling covers symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension, itching linked to allergic conditions such as chronic urticaria and atopic or contact dermatoses, and sedation before or after general anesthesia. Systematic studies have not assessed antianxiety treatment lasting longer than four months.

How Are Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Tablets Dosed?

Adult dosing in current generic labeling is 50 mg to 100 mg four times daily for anxiety and tension and 25 mg three or four times daily for itching from allergic conditions. Sedation around general anesthesia uses 50 mg to 100 mg in adults. Dosing is adjusted to the individual response.

What Safety Concerns Are Linked to Hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, QT prolongation, Torsade de Pointes, and rare serious skin reactions. It is contraindicated in people with a prolonged QT interval and during early pregnancy under current labeling. Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants can increase sedation. Driving or hazardous machinery should be avoided until individual effects are known.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atarax

Is Atarax the same as hydroxyzine?

Atarax is a trade name for hydroxyzine hydrochloride. The Atarax tablet listing is discontinued in the United States, while generic hydroxyzine remains available.

Is hydroxyzine used for itching?

Yes. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is used for itching associated with allergic conditions, including chronic urticaria and selected dermatitis.

Does hydroxyzine cause drowsiness?

Yes. Drowsiness is a recognized adverse effect, and alcohol or other central nervous system depressants can increase sedation.

Can hydroxyzine affect heart rhythm?

Yes. QT prolongation and Torsade de Pointes have been reported, and hydroxyzine is contraindicated in people with a prolonged QT interval.

References

Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/136324/download. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

DailyMed - HYDROXYZINE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet, film coated. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=82b015dc-999c-46a4-bcaa-a4c81a193b68. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

Hydroxyzine. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682866.html. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

Hydroxyzine. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydroxyzine. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.

Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride. FDALabel. https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/ui/spl-summaries/criteria/388360. Date Accessed September 14, 2026.