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Benadryl
Benadryl ® ( diphenhydramine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine medication available both over the counter and with a prescription. It comes in many different forms and is used for a variety of different purposes.
Who Makes This Medication?
Brand-name Benadryl is made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, while other versions of diphenhydramine (including other brand-name medications or generic medications) are made by various other manufacturers.
Benadryl is part of a class of drugs called antihistamines. Specifically, it is an H1 receptor antagonist. This means that it blocks a specific type of histamine receptor in the body (known as H1 receptors). Since allergic reactions are partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body, this drug can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms.
Benadryl also blocks acetylcholine receptors, an action which produces some of the bothersome side effects of the medication (such as dry mouth or difficulty urinating) but also makes the drug useful for other purposes (such as for Parkinson's disease or for relieving a runny nose due to the common cold).
Like many antihistamines, Benadryl also works as a sedative. This action has made the medication useful as a sleep aid but also limits the usefulness of the medication for other uses (since drowsiness can be a bothersome side effect).
When and How to Take the Drug
General considerations include the following:
- This medication comes in many different forms. Depending on the particular product, it may be taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or injected into a vein or muscle.
- You can take it with food or on an empty stomach. If the medication seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with a little food.
- Because there are several different Benadryl products available, be sure to follow the instructions for your particular product.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as directed.
Benadryl Dosing Information
The recommended dosage will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The particular product
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age
- How you respond to Benadryl
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, Benadryl can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. Some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common. Of course, some "side effects" of Benadryl (such as drowsiness) are not considered to be side effects in certain situations (such as if you are taking the medication to sleep).
Common side effects of Benadryl include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Coordination problems
- Indigestion or heartburn.
(Click Benadryl Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Benadryl?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
An overdose with Benadryl can cause serious problems. If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Benadryl Be Stored?
Benadryl should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
For people who take this medication on a regular schedule (such as for allergy treatment), if you do not take your Benadryl as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Brand-name Benadryl comes in numerous different forms. Adult products include:
- Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Liqui-Gels® (25 mg)
- Benadryl Allergy Ultratab® (25 mg)
- Benadryl Allergy Quick Dissolve Strips (25 mg)
- Benadryl Allergy Kapseals® capsules (25 mg).
Children's products include:
- Children's Benadryl Perfect Measure™ pre-filled single use spoons (12.5 mg)
- Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquid (12.5 mg per teaspoonful)
- Children's Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Liquid (12.5 mg per teaspoonful).
Products for the skin include:
- Extra Strength Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream (2%)
- Regular Strength Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream (1%)
- Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Stick (2%)
- Benadryl Extra Strength Spray (2%)
- Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel Extra Strength (2%).
Prescription-only products include:
- Benadryl injection (prescription-only)
- Benadryl 25 and 50 mg capsules (available only in generic form)
- Benadryl elixir (12.5 mg per teaspoonful, available only in generic form).
Notice that some of the prescription-only products are available in the same strength as non-prescription products.
Children's Benadryl Allergy Chewables and Benadryl Allergy Children's Quick Dissolve Strips were once available but have been discontinued by the manufacturer. Additionally, diphenhydramine is an active ingredient in many other brand-name and generic products, including several different combination products (with more than one active ingredient).
Many, but not all forms of this medication, are available as generics (see Generic Benadryl).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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