* 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.
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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
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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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