Diphenhydramine Drug Details
Generic Name:
Common Brands:
Pharbedryl, Banophen (discontinued), Aler-Dryl, Benadryl, Diphenhist, Nytol, Unisom, Sominex, Siladryl, Silphen, PediaCare Children’s Allergy
Availability:
Over-the-counter
Therapeutic Class:
Antihistamine
Forms:
Tablet, liquid, capsule, liquid-filled capsule, rapidly dissolving tablet, chewable tablets, dissolvable strip, powder
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
Allergy symptoms like red, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose associated with the common cold, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Diphenhydramine Drug Class
Diphenhydramine (dye-fen-hai-druh-meen) is an over-the-counter antihistamine that is used to treat allergy symptoms.
Diphenhydramine Age Range
Diphenhydramine HCl is approved for use in adults and children 6 years of age and older. This medicine can cause very serious side effects in young children, especially children less than 2 years old. It should never be used to make a fussy child sleepy.
Diphenhydramine Uses
Diphenhydramine Uses
Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that is used to treat symptoms like red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose related to the common cold, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies. Diphenhydramine may also be used to relieve cough caused by minor throat irritation. It is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and insomnia. Sometimes, diphenhydramine is prescribed to treat abnormal movements in people with early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
There may be other uses of diphenhydramine —your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.
Diphenhydramine Mechanism of Action
Diphenhydramine works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance in the body called histamine that causes allergy symptoms.
Diphenhydramine Doses
Diphenhydramine is available as 25 mg and 50 mg tablets, and 12.5 mg/5 mL liquid. The usual dose of diphenhydramine in adults and children 12 years of age and older is 25 mg to 50 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. The diphenhydramine dose in children between 6 and 11 years of age is 12.5 mg to 25 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Children younger than 6 years of age should not receive diphenhydramine without a doctor’s approval.
Diphenhydramine Directions
How To Use Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine comes in the form of a tablet, liquid, and other dosage forms to be taken by mouth. The tablets are usually taken every 4-6 hours as needed.
Read the package label and follow the dosing instructions carefully. Do not take more diphenhydramine or take it more frequently than indicated on the package.
Measure liquid forms of the medicine using a dose-measuring cup or spoon to ensure the correct dose. Do not use a household spoon. Do not freeze liquid forms of diphenhydramine.
Remember that diphenhydramine is present in many combination products used to relieve symptoms of allergies, cough and cold. Check the labels of your over-the-counter medicines before using two or more products together. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum recommended dose of diphenhydramine.
Diphenhydramine can cause serious side effects, including death, in young children. Exercise caution when giving this medicine to children between 6 and 12 years of age. Do not give it to children under 6 years of age unless specifically directed by your child’s doctor. Never give over-the-counter cough and cold remedies meant for adults to children.
Diphenhydramine will provide symptomatic relief but will not cure your condition. If you do not get relief from allergy or cold symptoms after taking diphenhydramine for 7 days, contact your health care professional.
Missed dose: Diphenhydramine is usually taken when needed. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed one.
Storage: Store at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused diphenhydramine should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot consume them. Do not flush medications down the toilet. The best way to properly discard expired or unneeded medications is through a drug take-back program or through your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible diphenhydramine drug information. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have further questions, talk to your health professional or pharmacist to ensure you receive proper medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Diphenhydramine Side Effects
Diphenhydramine Side Effects
Possible side effects of diphenhydramine are listed below. Call your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects if they are severe or do not go away in a few days.
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Chest congestion
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness
- Hyperactivity or increased excitement (in children)
Rarely, diphenhydramine can cause more serious undesirable effects. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you experience the following signs and symptoms after taking diphenhydramine:
- Vision problems
- Pain with urination or trouble urinating
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual side effects or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Diphenhydramine Overdose: In case of a known or suspected overdose of diphenhydramine, call the local poison control center or provincial poison control center right away. You can also call the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person has collapsed, cannot breathe, or has had a seizure, call 911 for emergency medical help.
Source: FDA
Diphenhydramine Warnings
Diphenhydramine Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Pharbedryl (diphenhydramine) can cause serious symptoms in certain groups of people. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for allergy symptoms if you are at high risk of complications from diphenhydramine use.
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Precautions Before Starting Diphenhydramine
Tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had an allergic reaction to diphenhydramine, any of the active or inactive ingredients in diphenhydramine products, or any other drugs.
Give your healthcare professional a complete medical history. Diphenhydramine may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), ulcers, low sodium, prostate enlargement, difficulty urinating, heart disease, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or seizures.
Give your health care professional a complete list of all your medicines, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.
If you are an older adult (age 65 years and above), talk to your doctor about other safer treatment options. Diphenhydramine is only given to older adults for serious allergic reactions.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk and can potentially affect the infant.
Precautions During Use of Diphenhydramine
Tell all your doctors you are on Pharbedryl (diphenhydramine) before any surgery, including dental procedures. Keep your regular medical and laboratory appointments. Tell laboratory personnel that you are on diphenhydramine, as this medicine can lead to false test results on certain laboratory tests.
Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while taking diphenhydramine.
Diphenhydramine can make you drowsy and dizzy and affect your ability to focus. Do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that requires your full attention until you know how this medicine affects you. Remember that drinking alcohol can make such symptoms worse.
Keep in mind that diphenhydramine will help relieve your symptoms but will not cure your condition. If you continue having symptoms after 7 days of taking diphenhydramine, contact your healthcare provider.
Diphenhydramine Drug Interactions
Diphenhydramine can have possible interactions with other drugs. This can affect how well the medications work. Interactions between diphenhydramine and other medicines can also increase the risk of severe adverse effects.
Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medicines.
Diphenhydramine Pros & Cons
Diphenhydramine Pros and Cons
- Diphenhydramine HCl works quickly to relieve allergy symptoms.
- It is available over-the-counter.
- It comes in various dosage forms for convenience.
- There is a low-cost generic form of this medicine.
- Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
- It is not the safest option for older adults (age 65 and above).
- This medicine can cause hyperactivity in children.
- It may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions like glaucoma and urinary problems.
Diphenhydramine Pharmacist Tips
Diphenhydramine Tips from Pharmacists
Measure the dose of liquid products with a dose-measuring spoon or cup. Do not use a regular kitchen spoon to measure the liquid form of diphenhydramine.
Diphenhydramine can make you drowsy and dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Diphenhydramine can make your mouth dry. Sucking on ice chips may help keep your mouth moist. Make sure you drink enough fluids to stay well hydrated while on this medicine.
Diphenhydramine HCl is present in many over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines. To use these products safely, check their labels and make sure you do not overdose.
Diphenhydramine Rx Savings Tips
Diphenhydramine Rx Savings Tips
Diphenhydramine is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand names. Brand names Pharbedryl, Banophen (discontinued), Benadryl, and others, and the generic medication diphenhydramine contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx diphenhydramine coupon can result in big savings on the brand names and generic forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Diphenhydramine may be under $4.00 for 30 capsules of the 50 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on diphenhydramine, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx diphenhydramine discount coupon when you purchase the medicine at the pharmacy counter.
Lowest Price for Diphenhydramine | |
| Brand $4.30 | Generic $3.94 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Diphenhydramine Common Questions
Common Questions about Diphenhydramine
Are diphenhydramine and Benadryl the same thing?Yes, diphenhydramine and Benadryl are the same thing. Diphenhydramine is the generic form of the medicine, and it is also marketed under the brand name Benadryl. Both are equally safe and effective. In general, generic medications offer better value for money than brand-name drugs. |
How much diphenhydramine can I take to sleep?Adults can take diphenhydramine for sleep. The usual dose is 50 mg, approximately 30 minutes before bedtime. This medicine should never be used to make a child sleepy. |
Is it okay to take diphenhydramine every night?You should not take diphenhydramine every night for sleep. Your body can build a tolerance to this medicine, and it may not work as well with prolonged use. Diphenhydramine is only for occasional insomnia. If you have chronic insomnia (long-term problems with sleeping), discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. |
When is the best time to take diphenhydramine?If you are taking diphenhydramine for relief from allergy symptoms, take the medicine every 4-6 hours as needed. For insomnia, take it 30 minutes before bedtime. To treat motion sickness, take it 30 minutes before anticipated travel. |
How fast does diphenhydramine start working?Diphenhydramine starts working pretty quickly, usually within 15-30 minutes. You should get relief of symptoms and the full effects of this medicine around 2 hours after a dose. |
What is the price of diphenhydramine without insurance?Without insurance, diphenhydramine can be as high as $14, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $3.94 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of diphenhydramine with insurance?You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for diphenhydramine, as long as you have a prescription from your doctor. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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