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Benadryl Drug Interactions
When Benadryl is taken with anticholinergic drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or phenothiazine medications, drug interactions may occur. These interactions could increase your risk of developing certain side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes, or difficulty passing urine. Other medications that may cause drug interactions with Benadryl include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, pramlintide, and medicines that cause drowsiness.
Benadryl Interactions: An Overview
Benadryl Interactions: An Overview
Benadryl® (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) can potentially interact with a number of other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with Benadryl include (but are not limited to):
- Alcohol
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor medications, including:
- Donepezil (Aricept®)
- Galantamine (Razadyne™)
- Rivastigmine (Exelon®)
- Tacrine (Cognex®)
- Anticholinergic drugs, such as:
- Atropine
- Belladonna (Donnatal®, B&O Supprettes®, Bellamine S®)
- Benztropine (Cogentin®)
- Clidinium (Librax®)
- Clozapine (Clozaril®)
- Darifenacin (Enablex®)
- Dicyclomine (Bentyl®)
- Glycopyrrolate (Robinul®)
- Haloperidol (Haldol®)
- Homatropine (Hycodan®)
- Hyoscyamine (Levsin®)
- Ipratropium (Atrovent®)
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan®, Ditropan XL®, Oxytrol®)
- Solifenacin (VESIcare®)
- Scopolamine (Transderm Scop®)
- Tiotropium (Spiriva®)
- Tolterodine (Detrol®, Detrol® LA)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
- Phenelzine (Nardil®)
- Rasagiline (Azilect®)
- Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
- Other medications that cause drowsiness, including, but not limited to:
- Antipsychotic medications
- Anxiety medications
- Most antidepressants
- Muscle relaxants
- Narcotic pain relievers
- Sleep medications
- Some antihistamines
- Phenothiazine medications, including:
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
- Fluphenazine (Prolixin®)
- Perphenazine (Trilafon®)
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine®, Compro®)
- Thioridazine (Mellaril®)
- Trifluoperazine (Stelazine®)
- Pramlintide (Symlin®).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD