Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The over-the-counter medication diphenhydramine is found in many sleeping pills intended for insomnia treatment.
It is the sleep-inducing element in many medications used as sleep aids. Its use does not require a prescription, so it is sometimes used as the initial option for the treatment of acute insomnia to help initiate and maintain sleep.
Due to the potential for side effects, especially among older people, alternatives may be sought if chronic insomnia persists. Diphenhydramine has many potential uses. As it does cause sleepiness, it is only recommended for short-term treatment of insomnia or acute insomnia. By definition, this is insomnia that occurs for less than three months. It is one of the ingredients found in multiple sleep aids:.
It may help you get to sleep or stay asleep. However, there is little evidence that diphenhydramine actually improves insomnia, and it may cause sleepiness the day after taking it. Healthcare provider do not recommend the routine or chronic use of diphenhydramine to treat insomnia. In addition to its use as a sleep aid, diphenhydramine is often administered to relieve allergies or treat allergic reactions, and it can be helpful in preventing motion sickness.
It is also used to alleviate extrapyramidal symptoms, which may occur as a side effect of other medications. Diphenhydramine is part of a class of medications called antihistamines. It allows the neurotransmitter called histamine to build up in the spaces called synapses that are present between nerve cells. This leads to sedative effects and is accomplished by blocking its uptake into nearby cells.
Diphenhydramine works both centrally within the brain as well as in peripheral nerve cells in other parts of the body. Children less than 2 years old should not use diphenhydramine. Additionally, caution should be used when this medication is used by children younger than 6 years old and by the elderly. If you have increased intraocular pressure, such as in glaucoma, you should use diphenhydramine cautiously.
Other conditions may also require caution, including individuals who have:. If you have these conditions, you may wish to discuss your risk with your healthcare provider before starting to use the medication. Some side effects that may commonly occur with diphenhydramine include:. With the use of any drug, there are also risks of serious side effects.
These occur more rarely. When using diphenhydramine, these may include:. As noted above, certain people should use diphenhydramine with caution, or not at all. Examples include:. Not all of these uses are recommended by the FDA or by medical experts. Benadryl is an approved over-the-counter treatment of symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies such as:. Benadryl is effective for reducing symptoms of allergies.
This is because of the risk of side effects such as sleepiness. These medications include:. However, diphenhydramine, the main ingredient contained in most Benadryl products, is contained in other products that are used to help improve sleep.
These products include:. These products are approved for occasional use to help relieve sleeplessness. Some topical, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved for treating hives, itchy skin, and rash. However, these products are sometimes used for these purposes. These newer medications include:.
It can make you feel sleepy, which might temporarily make you feel less anxious. However, this effect will wear off after a few days of using the product. If you have symptoms of anxiety, talk with your doctor about medications that are a better choice for treating your symptoms.
Some topical, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved for treating pain and itchy skin caused by poison ivy. However, Benadryl is often used to treat these symptoms. Benadryl is often effective for reducing symptoms of motion sickness, but it can cause sleepiness. Other medications are considered a first-choice treatment for people who need to relieve motion sickness but want to stay awake while traveling. If you get symptoms of motion sickness, talk with your doctor about treatment options before you travel.
Some topical, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved for treating pain and itchy skin caused by insect bites and stings.
Oral, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved to treat some symptoms of the common cold. Diphenhydramine, the drug contained in Benadryl, is sometimes used with other medications for treating migraine headaches.
However, it may not help improve symptoms. The American Headache Society recommends against using diphenhydramine for treating migraine headaches. Oral over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved to treat some symptoms of the common cold, including sneezing and runny nose. An analysis of clinical research found that antihistamines such as Benadryl can slightly decrease these symptoms in adults. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends not using Benadryl products to treat eczema.
This includes Benadryl products that are oral taken by mouth and topical applied to the skin. Heat rash usually goes away on its own without treatment. They may recommend treatments such as calamine lotion. However, some oral Benadryl products contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and a decongestant called phenylephrine.
These products can help reduce nasal congestion and stuffiness and may also help reduce sinus pressure or pain. The swelling that often occurs along with hives is called angioedema. It usually occurs on the hands or feet, or around the lips and face. Diphenhydramine the drug contained in Benadryl may be used for more severe cases of swelling.
As an example, painful swelling could be considered severe. Note: In rare cases, swelling from hives may cause a swollen tongue or throat and cause trouble breathing.
If you have these symptoms, call or go to an emergency room for treatment. Some topical over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved for treating pain and itchy skin caused by sunburn.
Benadryl is available in generic forms, which are often store-brand products. The generic name of Benadryl is diphenhydramine. There are many different Benadryl-branded products. Some of these products contain just one ingredient, while others contain two ingredients. Because ingredients vary from one Benadryl product another, be sure to read the label closely before buying or using a Benadryl product.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Before giving Benadryl to a baby, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can also recommend the most appropriate dosage of Benadryl if treatment with the drug is needed. For adults and children over 12 years of age, the maximum is mg each day. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is mg each day. Your body can develop a tolerance to some of the effects of Benadryl. For instance, one study found that Benadryl caused sleepiness on the first day it was taken.
But after the person took Benadryl for four days, this side effect no longer occurred. This was due to tolerance. When used over time, Benadryl continues to work to relieve symptoms of hay fever or allergies, runny nose, hives, and other conditions.
They may suggest other treatment options that may be more effective for you. Benadryl can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Benadryl. For more information on the possible side effects of Benadryl or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Some of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. There is very little scientific research about the long-term effects of Benadryl. Talk to your doctor about how often you have allergy symptoms.
If you have symptoms frequently more often than about four days per week , there may be a safer, more effective medication for you than Benadryl. Benadryl and some other antihistamine drugs can sometimes cause decreased memory, confusion, and trouble thinking.
These side effects are more common in seniors. To prevent this possible side effect, Benadryl should be used in the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.
If you need to take an antihistamine long term, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other options. However, they can occur in people who take very high doses of Benadryl. If you think you need medical treatment, call your doctor or Some antihistamines, including Benadryl, can worsen symptoms of restless legs syndrome. If you have restless legs syndrome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other medication options.
If you have symptoms of depression while taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms. They may also recommend different medication options. Weight gain can happen in some people who take diphenhydramine. If you have weight gain while taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other medication options.
Benadryl can cause constipation, especially when used regularly. If you have constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other medication options instead of Benadryl. Because it can make you very sleepy, Benadryl can impair your ability to drive. Because of the risk of dangerous side effects in children, over-the-counter oral Benadryl products are only approved for use in children 6 years of age and older. The Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends that cough and cold products not be used in children under 2 years of age due to the risk of dangerous side effects, including sudden infant death.
These products often contain diphenhydramine generic Benadryl or other antihistamines, combined with other ingredients. Before giving oral Benadryl to children under 6 years, or cough and cold products to children under 2 years, talk with your doctor. They can also recommend the most appropriate medication and dosage if treatment is needed.
Over-the-counter oral Benadryl products are only approved for use in children ages 6 years and older. Benadryl products that are applied to the skin such as the cream, gel, or spray are only approved for use in children 2 years of age and older. Before giving Benadryl to your baby, talk with your doctor. If they decide that treatment with Benadryl is needed, your doctor can also recommend the most appropriate dosage of the drug.
But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Over-the-counter Benadryl is available in many different forms.
Some are oral taken by mouth , and others are topical applied to the skin. Forms include:. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking diphenhydramine. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. There's no evidence to suggest that taking diphenhydramine reduces fertility in either men or women.
Diphenhydramine does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill and emergency contraception. Alcohol and diphenhydramine together can make you sleep very deeply. You will not be able to breathe properly and you may have difficulty waking up.
However, do not drink alcohol. If you are taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep, you should also try not to drink anything that contains caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks. Caffeine has the opposite effect to diphenhydramine on your body and can stop it working. There are a number of things you can try to help yourself have a good night's sleep :. If you have hay fever, it will help if you do not spend too much time outside when the pollen count is high.
The best way to prevent any sort of allergic reaction is to avoid the substance that you're allergic to, if you can. There are some practical steps you can follow to help you avoid common allergens. Page last reviewed: 14 October Next review due: 14 October Diphenhydramine - Brand name: Nytol Original On this page About diphenhydramine Key facts Who can and cannot take diphenhydramine How and when to take or use diphenhydramine Side effects How to cope with side effects of diphenhydramine Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about diphenhydramine.
About diphenhydramine Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies. It's used for: short-term sleep problems insomnia , including when a cough , cold or itching is keeping you awake at night cough and cold symptoms hay fever eczema , hives urticaria and insect bites and stings You can buy diphenhydramine from pharmacies and it is also available on prescription.
Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? To help you sleep, you'll usually take diphenhydramine 20 minutes before you go to bed. It normally takes about 30 minutes to work. 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.
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