Hydroxyzine and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are both antihistamines, but they are not the same medication. Benadryl is often used for allergies, cold symptoms, and short-term sleep aid, while hydroxyzine is typically prescribed for anxiety, nausea, itching, and sometimes as a sedative. Both can cause drowsiness, but hydroxyzine is available only by prescription, whereas Benadryl is over-the-counter. Understanding if hydroxyzine is the same as Benadryl helps clarify their uses, differences, and when each might be recommended.