Skip to main content
Get Matched with a Provider
Medication

Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Vistaril is the original brand name of hydroxyzine pamoate, a prescription antihistamine that has both allergy-relief and anti-anxiety applications. Atarax, another former brand name, refers to hydroxyzine hydrochloride. Although Atarax has been discontinued in the United States, hydroxyzine is still widely available in generic form.

Learn About Hydroxyzine Treatment

Connect with a psychiatric clinician online or in person for an evaluation. If appropriate, hydroxyzine (Vistaril) may be considered as part of a treatment plan.

Schedule an appointment with a Psychiatric Clinician

What Conditions Does Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) Treat?

FDA-Approved Uses:

  • Allergic conditions including itching, hives, and rash
  • Symptomatic relief of anxiety and tension associated with psychiatric conditions

Off-Label Uses:

How Psychiatric Medication Prescription Decisions Are Made

1

Find a psychiatric clinician who meets your needs

Option 1

You can start by searching our psychiatrist directory to find a qualified provider who is accepting patients.

Provider Directory

Option 2

You may also choose to locate a nearby clinic and schedule your first appointment in person.

Locations Directory
2

Step 2: Meet one-on-one for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation

During your first session, a psychiatric clinician will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If appropriate, they may discuss whether a medication such as vortioxetine could be included in your care plan. Treatment decisions always prioritize safety, clinical best practices, and your individual needs.

3

Step 3: Begin treatment and ongoing monitoring

After a personalized treatment plan is created, your provider will monitor your progress and adjust the plan as needed. If medication is part of your care, then, if clinically appropriate, your provider may handle prescription renewals online during or after regular follow-ups as clinically appropriate in accordance with LifeStance treatment protocols.

290+ Insurances Accepted

Aetna
Anthem/Empire BCBS-Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem/Empire BCBS, Anthem Blue Cross-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicare, Anthem BCBS-Medicaid, Anthem BCBS
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
Evernorth (Cigna)-Medicare, Evernorth (Cigna) (HealthPartners), Evernorth (Cigna)
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield-Medicare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield-Medicare
Kaiser Permanente (Southeast)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente Washington-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (SoCal), Kaiser Permanente (Southeast), Kaiser Permanente Washington, Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)-Medicare, Kaiser Permanente (NorCal), Kaiser Permanente (Northwest)
Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicaid, Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare
Providence Health Plan, Providence Health Plan-Medicare
Quartz, Quartz-Medicaid, Quartz-Medicare
Quest Behavioral Health
Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Regence BlueCross BlueShield-Medicare
View All Accepted Insurances
Struggling with Panic Attacks or Insomnia?

Struggling with Panic Attacks or Insomnia?

Everyone’s experience with panic attacks or insomnia is different. A psychiatrist may help you find the right treatment path—whether that includes Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) or another option that fits your needs. Discuss medication options with your treating provider.

Psychiatric Clinician Directory

FAQs About Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Vistaril is a brand name for hydroxyzine pamoate capsules and some versions of hydroxyzine hydrochloride (HCl).

photo of LifeStance provider Joshua Nathan, MD

Medically Reviewed By:

Joshua Nathan, MD
View Profile
Dr. Joshua Nathan, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, sees stigma – from others and from ourselves - as the biggest challenge in mental illness treatment. He encourages people to not judge themselves on whatever problems they are facing, and he helps them feel safe to open up and allow for healing. Dr. Nathan takes joy in helping people with mental health concerns and values the trust patients place in him. Dr. Nathan treats adults struggling with mood and bipolar disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety challenges such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD, and more. He listens to each person’s story, observes how they are faring, and shares his understanding of what is happening, so there is a basis for starting or continuing treatment. He considers medications as one tool among many for healing and recovery in mental health. During treatment, Dr. Nathan uses an eclectic framework for understanding mental illness and coping. Trained in psychoanalysis, he finds that existential understanding helps many people reduce suffering, but cognitive-behavioral techniques are more practical in helping people move forward. Thus, he typically employs a combination of theories and techniques, guided by the patient's problems, needs, and experiences. He is also an Official ADHD Evaluator for the National Football League. Dr. Nathan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a medical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed postgraduate residency training at Brown University. He works with adults of all ages, but has a special fondness for working with young and middle-age adults.

References

  1. Drugs.com. (2021). Why was Atarax discontinued? Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/atarax-discontinued-3565078/

  2. Drugs.com. (n.d.). Vistaril prices, coupons, copay cards & patient assistance. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/vistaril

  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Drugs@FDA. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm

  4. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.

In 2007, the FDA released a black box warning that antidepressants were correlated to the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) during short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions. Gibbons et. al (2007) also published a study that found no evidence of antidepressant treatment increasing the risk of suicide attempts among its patients (ages 18-65+). The main message is that there is an inherent relationship between depression and suicidality so close monitoring of antidepressant-treated patients (especially children, adolescents, and young adults) is always necessary. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.