Why was Atarax discontinued?
Atarax was most likely discontinued in the US due to business reasons by its manufacturer. It was not removed from the market for safety or effectiveness reasons, according to the FDA. A generic version of Atarax known as hydroxyzine hydrochloride is available in the US and is very affordable. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is only available now as a generic option in the US.
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is a sedating prescription antihistamine available as an oral syrup, oral tablet, or injection from various manufacturers. Hydroxyzine is used to treat allergic skin reactions such as itching from hives or contact dermatitis. Because it has sedative properties, it may also be used to treat conditions such as anxiety and tension.
The tablet version comes in 10 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg strengths, and the oral syrup comes as 10 mg per 5 mL strength. In general, your insurance should pay for this medicine. If you are paying out-of-pocket, it typically costs less than $15 for a 30-tablet supply.
References
- Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. Accessed Jan. 11, 2022 at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm
- Hydroxyzine. Drug Monograph. Drugs.com. Accessed Jan. 11, 2021 at https://www.drugs.com/hydroxyzine.html
Drug information
- Atarax Information for Consumers
- Atarax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Atarax (detailed)
Related support groups
- Atarax (13 questions, 61 members)
