Benadryl

Benadryl

     * Generic Name: diphenhydramine
     * Brand Name: Benadryl


     * What is diphenhydramine?
     * What are the possible side effects of diphenhydramine?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       diphenhydramine?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       diphenhydramine?
     * How should I take diphenhydramine?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking diphenhydramine?
     * What other drugs will affect diphenhydramine?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is diphenhydramine?

   Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of
   natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce
   symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

   Diphenhydramine is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes,
   hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

   Diphenhydramine is also used to treat motion sickness, to induce
   sleep, and to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

   Diphenhydramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of diphenhydramine?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Stop using diphenhydramine and call your doctor at once if you have:
     * pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
     * painful or difficult urination;
     * little or no urinating;
     * confusion, feeling like you might pass out; or
     * tightness in your neck or jaw, uncontrollable movements of your
       tongue.

   Common side effects may include:
     * dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination;
     * dry mouth, nose, or throat;
     * constipation, upset stomach;
     * dry eyes, blurred vision; or
     * day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about diphenhydramine?

   You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

   Benadryl Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Could I Be Allergic? Discover Your Allergy Triggers

   Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Quiz on Allergies
   Nasal Allergy Relief:Products That Work

   Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
diphenhydramine?

   You should not use diphenhydramine if you are allergic to it.

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine
   if you have other medical conditions, especially:
     * blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
     * bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
     * a colostomy or ileostomy;
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
       or other breathing disorder;
     * cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or
       chronic bronchitis;
     * heart disease, low blood pressure;
     * glaucoma;
     * a thyroid disorder; or
     * if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon,
       Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

   It is not known whether diphenhydramine will harm an unborn baby. Ask a
   doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

   Diphenhydramine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
   Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor
   before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

   Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this
   medicine.

How should I take diphenhydramine?

   Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
   Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
   Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until
   your symptoms clear up.

   Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always
   ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death
   can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young
   children.

   You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

   Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
   special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
   dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

   For motion sickness, take diphenhydramine 30 minutes before you will be
   in a situation that causes you motion sickness (such as a long car
   ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc). Continue
   taking diphenhydramine with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the
   time you will be in a motion-sickness situation.

   As a sleep aid, take diphenhydramine within 30 minutes before bedtime.

   Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of
   treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

   This medication can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any
   doctor who treats you that you are using diphenhydramine.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Benadryl Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Could I Be Allergic? Discover Your Allergy Triggers

   Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Quiz on Allergies
   Nasal Allergy Relief:Products That Work

   Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Since diphenhydramine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing
   schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you
   remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next
   scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking diphenhydramine?

   This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking
   or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you
   to be alert and able to see clearly.

   Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine.

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy,
   or sleep medicine. Antihistamines are contained in many combination
   medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too
   much of this type of medicine. Check the label to see if a medicine
   contains an antihistamine.

What other drugs will affect diphenhydramine?

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also
   using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter
   medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause
   unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible
   interactions are listed in this medication guide.

   Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your
   breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking
   diphenhydramine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine,
   muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about diphenhydramine.
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