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Ages and Stages. Healthy Living. Common side effects include feeling sleepy, dizzy or unsteady on your feet. You may also have difficulty concentrating and have a dry mouth. You can become dependent on diphenhydramine if you take it continuously for a period of time. It may also stop working as well.
Speak to your doctor if you need to take it for more than 2 weeks. Do not drink alcohol while taking diphenhydramine. Alcohol increases the risk of side effects. Giving diphenhydramine to children For cough and cold symptoms, you can give diphenhydramine tablets and liquid to children over the age of 6.
You can also use diphenhydramine cream on children for: insect bites and stings eczema. Important: Warning for children Do not give your child diphenhydramine to help them get to sleep. Who may not be able to take diphenhydramine Diphenhydramine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to diphenhydramine or any other medicine have lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , or an illness that creates a lot of phlegm have an eye problem called primary angle closure glaucoma have a blockage in your stomach or gut have kidney or liver problems have problems peeing or emptying your bladder have epilepsy or any other health problem that causes fits seizures are due to have an allergy test — diphenhydramine can affect your results, so you may need to stop taking it a few days before your test — ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice are unable to have any alcohol — some liquid diphenhydramine products contain a small amount of alcohol, so check the ingredients and the packaging carefully.
Dosage If you're aged over 65, start with the lower dose, as you may be more likely to get side effects. Dosage for short-term insomnia Diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. Dosage for cough and cold symptoms Diphenhydramine comes mixed with other medicines to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds. Dosage for hay fever and allergies Diphenhydramine comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets. Dosage for insect bites, stings and eczema Diphenhydramine comes as a cream which you use once or twice a day.
How to take or use it You can take diphenhydramine tablets and liquid with or without food. How to take diphenhydramine tablets Always take your diphenhydramine tablets with a drink of water. How to take diphenhydramine liquid Liquid medicines containing diphenhydramine come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure the right dose.
How to use diphenhydramine cream With the cream, put a small amount onto the affected area and smooth it in gently. What if I forget to take or use it? What if I take or use too much? Too much diphenhydramine can be dangerous. If you've taken more than the usual dose you may: feel very sleepy feel sick nauseous get blurry eyesight feel your heart beating very fast In serious cases you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital.
Urgent advice: Contact for advice if:. Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling sleepy, or drowsy, during the daytime dry mouth feeling dizzy or unsteady on your feet, or having difficulty concentrating Diphenhydramine cream can sometimes make your rash worse.
Serious side effects. Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. Immediate action required: Call if:. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to diphenhydramine.
Other side effects These are not all the side effects of diphenhydramine. Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sleepy, or drowsy, during the daytime — drowsiness usually wears off 8 hours after a dose. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way.
If the feeling does not go away or is worrying you, do not take any more medicine and speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. Diphenhydramine and pregnancy While diphenhydramine can be used during pregnancy, it is not normally recommended. Diphenhydramine and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take diphenhydramine while you're breastfeeding, but it's better to take occasional doses or only take it for a short time.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: antidepressants, such as venlafaxine or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as phenelzine metoprolol , a heart medicine any medicine that makes you drowsy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee — taking diphenhydramine might make these side effects worse If you're taking a cough or cold remedy or a painkiller containing diphenhydramine, check carefully what the other ingredients are.
Mixing diphenhydramine with herbal remedies and supplements There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside diphenhydramine, especially ones that cause side effects such as sleepiness, a dry mouth or making it difficult to pee. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.
How does diphenhydramine work? How long does it take to work? The medicine should work for around 4 to 6 hours. How long can I take it for? Only take diphenhydramine for a short time. Is diphenhydramine addictive? Can I take more than one antihistamine at a time? Important Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless you've been advised to by your doctor. What's the difference between diphenhydramine and other antihistamines? How is it different to other cough and cold remedies?
Can I take it with painkillers? Can I drive or ride a bike with it? Will it affect my fertility? Will it affect my contraception? Can I drink alcohol with it? Do not drink alcohol while you're taking diphenhydramine. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
You can eat normally while taking diphenhydramine. Does diphenhydramine make you put on weight? There's no evidence that diphenhydramine makes you put on weight. Can lifestyle changes help me sleep better? There are a number of things you can try to help yourself have a good night's sleep : set regular times for going to bed and waking up relax before bedtime — try taking a warm bath or listening to calming music use thick curtains or blinds, an eye mask and earplugs to stop you being woken up by light and noise avoid caffeine, cigarettes or vapes, alcohol, heavy meals and exercise for a few hours before bedtime do not watch TV or use phones, tablets or computers in bed, or before bedtime do not nap during the day make a list of your worries and any ideas for how to solve them before you go to bed — this can help you forget about them until the morning.
Can lifestyle changes help with hay fever and other allergies? Tips for when you're outside Do not cut grass or walk on grass. Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes. Put Vaseline petroleum jelly around your nostrils to help trap pollen. Shower and change your clothes after you've been outside to wash off pollen. Tips for when you're inside Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible.
Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth. Do not keep fresh flowers in the house. Do not smoke or be around smoke because it makes hay fever symptoms worse. 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. It competes with free histamine at the H1-receptor binding sites. Benadryl antiemetic effects are likely due to central anticholinergic effects. Benadryl also has central nervous system depressant effects and has a direct suppressive effect on the cough center.
After oral administration, the onset of action is approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Peak concentrations occur in 2 to 4 hours. Benadryl is metabolized hepatically. The plasma half-life is 2 to 8 hours with a duration of action of about 4 to 6 hours. Benadryl is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to Benadryl or any of its components. Disclaimer : MedicalNewsToday has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.
You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Taking medications can mean other substances, such as alcohol, are more dangerous. Mixing benadryl and alcohol has several distinct dangers to be….
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