Since diphenhydramine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, confusion, severe drowsiness, ringing in your ears, no urination, very dry eyes and mouth, dilated pupils, fast heartbeats, tremor, agitation, hallucinations, or seizure. Benadryl is absorbed quickly in the body.
You should only take Benadryl for a short amount of time, unless your doctor tells you to take it for longer. If you use Benadryl for two weeks or longer, your body can start to become dependent on it.
A typical dosage for adults and children ages 12 and older is one to two tablets every four to six hours. For example, some research has shown the medicine may help obsessive compulsive disorder OCD and general anxiety. Health Topics. Health Tools. Benadryl Diphenhydramine. Generic Name: Diphenhydramine. Reviewed: November 17, It may help relieve: Watery, itchy, red, or irritated eyes Runny nose Sneezing Hives Itching The medicine is also taken to help treat or prevent insomnia or motion sickness.
You should not use diphenhydramine if you are allergic to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had: an enlarged prostate or urination problems; asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , or other breathing disorder; glaucoma; or a thyroid disorder.
Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Benadryl Diphenhydramine? Stop using diphenhydramine and call your doctor at once if you have: severe drowsiness; or painful or difficult urination.
Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults. Common side effects may include: drowsiness; dry eyes, blurred vision; dry mouth, nose, or throat; decreased urination; constipation; feeling restless or excited especially in children ; or day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use.
Based on FDA pregnancy categories. Claritin usually costs more than Benadryl. Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions. Zyrtec cetirizine is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. Benadryl products that are topical applied to the skin are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin due to hives, insect bites, and other causes. Topical Benadryl products are typically used up to 4 times daily.
Benadryl and Zyrtec have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Benadryl and Zyrtec are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, and for treating hives or itchy skin.
Zyrtec and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred. Benadryl and Zyrtec are both brand-name over-the-counter products. Zyrtec usually costs more than Benadryl.
Allegra fexofenadine is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. Allegra is approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and itchy skin caused by hives, insect bites, and other causes. Benadryl and Allegra have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Benadryl and Allegra are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies and for treating hives or itchy skin. Allegra and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred.
Benadryl and Allegra are both brand-name, over-the-counter products. Allegra usually costs more than Benadryl. There are different forms of Unisom. Most of these also contain the ingredient diphenhydramine.
However, one Unisom product contains a similar drug, doxylamine. Unisom is approved for helping relieve occasional sleeplessness. Benadryl and most Unisom products contain the same ingredient, diphenhydramine.
One form of Unisom contains a different ingredient, doxylamine. Doxylamine is very similar to diphenhydramine and causes very similar common and serious side effects. Benadryl and most forms of Unisom contain the same active ingredient, diphenhydramine. Both products can help with falling asleep in people with occasional sleeplessness. This effect may decrease or wear off with continued use.
Benadryl and Unisom are both brand-name over-the-counter products. These products usually cost about the same. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body. Benadryl and melatonin have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Benadryl can help with falling asleep in people with occasional sleeplessness.
However, this effect may decrease or wear off with continued use of the product. In an analysis of clinical studies, melatonin slightly decreases the time it takes to fall asleep and increases total sleep time.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine , neither Benadryl nor melatonin are recommended to treat ongoing or long-term insomnia trouble sleeping. Drinking alcohol with Benadryl can increase the effects of alcohol and cause excess sleepiness that can impair your abilities. For instance, you may have trouble driving. Benadryl can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Benadryl.
Different drug interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. If you take other medications, talk with your pharmacist before taking Benadryl. Your pharmacist can help you avoid potential interactions. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical that relays messages between cells in your body.
Benadryl also blocks acetylcholine. Because anticholinergic drugs and Benadryl work in the same way, taking them together can increase the risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:. Many medications can cause sleepiness. Taking these drugs with Benadryl can increase the risk of excessive sleepiness. Examples of these medications include:. Xanax alprazolam is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine, which can cause sleepiness.
Taking Xanax with Benadryl can increase your risk of excessive sleepiness. This can make you too sleepy to drive or prevent you from doing other potentially dangerous activities safely. If you take Xanax, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. They may recommend other treatment options. Zoloft sertraline is an antidepressant that can cause sleepiness in some people who take it.
Taking Zoloft with Benadryl may increase the risk of excessive sleepiness. If you take Zoloft, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. Zyrtec cetirizine is an antihistamine. Benadryl is also an antihistamine. Taking Benadryl with Zyrtec may increase the risk of certain side effects such as sleepiness, dry mouth, fatigue, and headache. If you take Zyrtec, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. Some herbs and supplements can cause sleepiness.
Taking these with Benadryl can increase the risk of excessive sleepiness. Examples of these supplements include:. For hay fever or other respiratory allergies, oral Benadryl is typically taken every 4 to 6 hours. If topical Benadryl is used to treat itchy skin, it should be applied up to 4 times daily. Each application should be separated by 4 to 6 hours.
Benadryl tablets can be crushed. If you have trouble swallowing whole tablets, Benadryl liquid solution and chewable tablets are available. If you have allergies or have a cold, your body releases a chemical messenger called histamine. This messenger causes symptoms such as inflammation, edema swelling , itchiness, and runny nose.
Benadryl blocks some of the effects of histamine and decreases some of the symptoms caused by it. When taken by mouth, Benadryl begins to work within 15 to 30 minutes.
When applied to the skin, it works right away. Yes, Benadryl causes most people who take it to feel sleepy. This side effect may go away after three to four days of daily use. Since Benadryl can make you feel sleepy, some people may feel that it causes them to relax. However, this effect often goes away after using the product for a few days.
An expectorant is a product that loosens mucus in your respiratory tract so you can cough it up. Before taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions you have.
Benadryl may not be a good choice for you if you have certain medical conditions. Examples of these conditions include:. Each Benadryl package is given an expiration date by the manufacturer of the product. This date is printed on the package. The purpose of the expiration date is to guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time.
However, an FDA study showed that many medications may still be good beyond the expiration date listed on the bottle. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where the medication is stored.
Benadryl should be stored at room temperature in its original container. Excessive humidity should be avoided.
If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. Benadryl is an H1-receptor antagonist. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Federal law generally requires that prescription drugs in the U. Generic alternatives may be available. Diphenhydramine pronounced as dye fen hye' dra meen.
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products.
If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. Do not try to break the capsules. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking diphenhydramine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diphenhydramine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diphenhydramine preparations. Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the package label for a list of the ingredients. Be sure to mention any of the following: other diphenhydramine products even those that are used on the skin ; other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
If you will be using the liquid, tell your doctor if you have been told to follow a low-sodium diet.
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