Stolbach says. In the event of a diphenhydramine overdose, there is really nothing you can do at home, Dr. Banner says. You can call the poison control center hotline for guidance , but that person will need emergency medical attention.
This drug is a cholinesterase inhibitor which works by preventing the normal breakdown of acetylcholine, Dr. It is exceedingly rare for someone to die from a diphenhydramine overdose, Dr. Banner says, considering how high the necessary dose would be and how treatable the overdose is with proper medical care. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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:. Store brands that contain diphenhydramine, the same ingredient in Benadryl, are available in other forms.
These forms include:. No Benadryl or diphenhydramine product is available as a topical lotion or as eye drops. Benadryl may be safe for short-term use during pregnancy in some situations. For treatment of severe allergic reactions during pregnancy, injected diphenhydramine is often considered the first-choice treatment. Diphenhydramine is the ingredient contained in Benadryl. This is due to a risk of eye disease in the newborn. Your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms to determine the safest treatment.
Taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is likely safe. However, taking Benadryl regularly or in large doses may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. It may also reduce your milk supply.
Antihistamines that cause less sleepiness are usually preferred over oral Benadryl while breastfeeding. Benadryl is an antihistamine.
There are several other antihistamines that can be used as alternatives. The first-generation antihistamines usually cause more sleepiness and other side effects than the second-generation antihistamines. Benadryl contains diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine. Examples of the other medications in these groups are listed below.
You may wonder how Benadryl compares to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Below are comparisons between Benadryl and several medications. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine. Claritin loratadine is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose.
Benadryl products that are topical applied to the skin are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin caused by things such as hives and insect bites. Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical products are typically used up to 4 times daily.
Claritin tablets, liquid-filled capsules, and syrup are taken once daily. The orally disintegrating tablets are used either once daily or twice daily. Benadryl and Claritin have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects. Benadryl and Claritin are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, and for treating hives or itchy skin. Benadryl and Claritin are both brand-name, over-the-counter products. 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.
Rather than producing feelings of euphoria, however, the drug simply has strong sedative effects. When more than the recommended dose is taken in one sitting, the individual who is taking the medication will likely feel groggy, disoriented, and fatigued. This medication is also commonly mixed with alcohol, which can be extremely dangerous. Those who mix Benadryl and alcohol might experience shallow breathing and respiratory depression, an irregular heartbeat, and an extreme lack of coordination.
It is always dangerous to mix alcohol with over-the-counter medications of any kind, but mixing Benadryl and alcohol can be lethal. If you are concerned about the amount of Benadryl your loved one has been taking and you would like to learn more about allergy medication abuse, please feel free to reach out to us at any point in time. At Garden State Treatment Center , we serve men and women of all ages throughout the state of New Jersey and all surrounding areas.
Diphenhydramine is marketed under the brand-name Benadryl, store brands, and generics. It is also available in combination with pain relievers, fever reducers, and decongestants. Health care professionals, patients, and consumers can sign up for email alerts about Drug Safety Communications on medicines or medical specialties of interest to you.
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