In addition to diphenhydramine, other OTC first-generation antihistamines used for allergies and cold symptoms include:. Vistaril hydroxyzine is a prescription first-generation antihistamine that is prescribed for itchy skin due to chronic hives or skin reactions or anxiety.
If antihistamines of any kind are not effective in managing allergies or hives or you are unable to tolerate or take them, your healthcare provider may have you try other types of allergy medications, such as Singulair montelukast that targets molecules called leukotrienes that contribute to mucus and inflammation. To treat chronic hives that are refractory to antihistamines, allergists can also prescribe Xolair omalizumab injections that target immunoglobulin E IgE antibodies.
Another more long-term option is immunotherapy allergy shots or tablets , which exposes you to small amounts of allergens to allow your body to tolerate them over time. Benadryl is short-acting and taken every four to six hours with no more than six doses taken within 24 hours. It comes in 25 milligram mg tablets, 25 mg liquid-filled gel capsules, Do not give oral Benadryl to children under age 6 unless directed to do so by a pediatrician.
Topical Benadryl can be applied as a thin coat to skin up to four times a day and for no longer than seven days. Your healthcare provider may recommend a lower starting dose of Benadryl if you have liver or kidney impairment since you may not clear antihistamines efficiently, which puts you at an increased risk of toxicity.
Benadryl can be taken with or without food. The drug usually starts to work within an hour. Store tablets and liquid solution at room temperature that's ideally 68 to 77 degrees F. Store capsules at 59 to 77 degrees F. Keeping it away from heat and direct light. As with all medications, keep it out of reach of children. If you take more than the recommended dose or have any signs of overdose, such as severe sedation or blurry vision, seek urgent medical care. If topical Benadryl is swallowed, seek urgent medical care, or call poison control.
Benadryl is typically well tolerated, but does carry the risk of serious side effects. Most side effects are mild and usually resolve within a few hours. Common side effects include:. If you experience any of the following side effects while taking Benadryl, seek urgent medical attention:. Benadryl can impair your ability to function and should never be used if you are planning to drive. Many state laws will charge you with a DUI driving under the influence if you are deemed to have been impaired by Benadryl.
You should never drink alcohol when taking Benadryl, as this can worsen side effects like drowsiness and decreased alertness, and become dangerous or life-threatening. The same applies to any other central nervous system CNS depressants, such as tranquilizers, hypnotics sleeping pills , pain medications , or sedatives. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking Benadryl along with other medications due the risk of interactions.
You should not use any topical cream containing diphenhydramine if you have chickenpox, measles, broken skin, or large areas of skin that need to be treated. 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? 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. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to temporarily relieve symptoms due to hay fever, upper respiratory allergies, or the common cold, such as runny nose and sneezing.
It works by blocking histamine in the body, which is a substance that causes allergic symptoms. When used as recommended, it is a safe and effective medicine. Diphenhydramine is marketed under the brand-name Benadryl, store brands, and generics.
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