Do All Benadryl Make You Drowsy
Drowsiness is the main side effect of Benadryl and a common side effect in all first-generation antihistamines. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl as well as OTC sleep aids. While there isnt a non-drowsy Benadryl product available, there are non-sedating antihistamines, such as Zyrtec or Allegra.
Can Benadryl Be Absorbed Through The Skin
They can be taken by mouth or applied directly to the skin . Pills and capsules contain a specific dose of medicine. The dose in a cream or ointment depends on how much is applied at one time and is harder to control. Too much antihistamine absorbed through the skin can be toxic, especially to children.
Benadryl And Central Nervous System Depression
Taking Benadryl can slow, or depress, the functions of your central nervous system .
This is what can lead to some common side effects of Benadryl, such as drowsiness or dizziness. Its also why some people may use Benadryl to help them to sleep or to feel less anxious.
Now that weve discussed how Benadryl may be connected to feelings of excitability or anxiousness, you may be wondering if Benadryl has any other similar side effects. Lets look into this now.
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What To Discuss With Your Doctor Before Taking Benadryl
Let your doctor know if youre allergic to diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, or any other ingredients used in diphenhydramine preparations.
You should also advise your doctor of any other drug allergies you have.
Tell your doctor about any prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or plan to take.
Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
-
Overactive thyroid
Tell your doctor if youve been told to follow a sodium-restricted diet if you intend to take Benadryl in liquid form.
Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant when taking Benadryl, tell your doctor.
Diphenhydramine should not generally be used by older adults, except to control serious allergic reactions, because they are not as safe or effective as other medications. Talk to your doctor if you’re aged 65 or older before starting this medication.
If youre having surgery, including dental procedures, tell the surgeon or dentist that youre taking antihistamines.
If you have phenylketonuria , be aware that some chewable tablets and rapidly dissolving tablets that contain diphenhydramine may be sweetened with aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
What About Antihistamines In Cold And Flu Medications
What many people may not know is that cold and flu medicines marketed to treat runny nose and sneezing usually include first-generation antihistamines the more sedating types. Thats because they are often better at treating cold symptoms and drying up runny nose than the newer types.
Because of their sedating effect, cold medicines with antihistamines are labeled for nighttime use. Take this labeling seriously, as some include medications like doxylamine that are more sedating than others. Check labels for dosages as well, as these may vary, even within brands.
More is not better read labels carefully and take only as recommended. Dont supplement a multi-symptom cold medication with another single-ingredient antihistamine.
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Are There Any Long
Yes, there are. Some long-term side effects that Benadryl may cause include:
- dependence or withdrawal symptoms, such as psychosis, when you stop taking Benadryl
Benadryl is recommended only as a short-term treatment for people with symptoms of allergies or other conditions that the drug treats. If you take Benadryl long term, you may develop long-term side effects of the medication.
Which side effects you experience can determine how long your side effects last. For example, if you feel sleepy, this side effect may last a few hours or until the medication is no longer in your body. But other side effects can be longer lasting.
Talk with your doctor about your Benadryl use and which other medications may be better for your condition.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Diphenhydramine is used to relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes sneezing and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. Diphenhydramine is also used to relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation. Diphenhydramine is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia . Diphenhydramine is also used to control abnormal movements in people who have early stage parkinsonian syndrome or who are experiencing movement problems as a side effect of a medication.
Diphenhydramine will relieve the symptoms of these conditions but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Diphenhydramine should not be used to cause sleepiness in children. Diphenhydramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
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Is There A Non
Second- and third-generation antihistamines, like Claritin and Allegra, are advertised as non-drowsy antihistamines. Studies have found that while second- and third-generation antihistamines can have some sedation effects on individuals, it is to a lesser extent than the first-generation antihistamines.
What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Benadryl
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain diphenhydramine. This includes medicines for sleep, cold/allergy symptoms, or anti-itch medicine used on the skin. Using too much diphenhydramine may lead to a fatal overdose.
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Is Benadryl Drowsy Or Non
Drowsiness is the main side effect of Benadryl and a common side effect in all first-generation antihistamines. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl as well as OTC sleep aids.
While there isnt a non-drowsy Benadryl product available, there are non-sedating antihistamines, such as Zyrtec or Allegra. Restlessness is one side effect of Zyrtec, though, so it may not be the best option to take before bedtime.
Who May Not Be Able To Take Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to diphenhydramine or any other medicine
- have lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or an illness that creates a lot of phlegm
- have an eye problem called primary angle closure glaucoma
- have a blockage in your stomach or gut
- have kidney or liver problems
- have problems peeing or emptying your bladder
- have epilepsy or any other health problem that causes fits
- are due to have an allergy test â diphenhydramine can affect your results, so you may need to stop taking it a few days before your test â ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice
- are unable to have any alcohol â some liquid diphenhydramine products contain a small amount of alcohol, so check the ingredients and the packaging carefully
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Some Side Effects May Be Serious If You Experience Any Of The Following Symptoms Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating or painful urination
Diphenhydramine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
There Are Other Fixes That Actually Work
Antihistamines dont get to the core of whats really affecting your sleep. Underlying issues that are the likely culprits include sleep apnea, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, Dimitriu said.
Lifestyle habits like consuming too much caffeine late in the day or scrolling on your phone before you go to bed can also mess with your sleep.
If your sleep problems persist beyond two weeks, at most, evaluation by a doctor is a good idea.
Another thing that can help is adding more options to your sleep hygiene repertoire so that youre not relying solely on one way of nodding off when the going gets tough.
Non-medical options are chiefly centered on sleep hygiene, Dimitriu said. Focus on: keeping a regular sleep and wake time to maintain your bodys sleep-wake cycle jotting down every loose end and worry so that your minds quieter before you hit the sack maintaining a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation.
Your pre-sleep routine might include cutting yourself off from emails, social media and stimulating television shows by a certain time, dimming the lights and listening to a guided meditation .
A bedtime snack can prevent hunger pangs from keeping you awake, too. Try one of these tasty recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation, or relax your body by making yourself a banana tea.
The peel is rich in magnesium, which promotes relaxation of the muscles, restoration, and sleep, Elliott said.
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The Medication Does Make You Sleepy
Antihistamine is the secret ingredient in numerous OTC products commonly used for insomnia, including Benadryl, said Alex Dimitriu, a California-based dual board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical produced by the central nervous system that not only produces allergy symptoms, but plays a role in wakefulness .
Antihistamines may be helpful in short-term situations , but its important to stress that this isnt the medications intended use, said Martin Reed, a certified clinical sleep health expert and founder of Insomnia Coach. And switching to an OTC sleep drug that happens to contain antihistamine doesnt mean youre off the hook, either. Theres still an overall lack of data on the safety and efficacy of using antihistamines to help you sleep, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Tips For Staying Alert
In treating allergies or a cold with antihistamines, you may experience drowsiness, a common side effect of the medication.
How does this happen? Histamine is a chemical produced by the immune system to fight off allergens and germs. When there is a threat of allergies or infection , histamine is even more active. In its search-and-destroy process, it can cause allergy or cold symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, sneezing and itch eyes. Antihistamine medications relieve these symptoms by blocking the unwanted effects of histamine.
Unrelated to the immune system, histamine is also produced in the brain, where it plays an important part in feeling awake. Antihistamines used to treat respiratory symptoms can get into the brain and interrupt this work, making you feel drowsy.
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Benadryl And Other Medications
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Benadryl. This list doesnt contain all drugs that may interact with Benadryl.
Different drug interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.
If you take other medications, talk with your pharmacist before taking Benadryl. Your pharmacist can help you avoid potential interactions.
Anticholinergic drugs
Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical that relays messages between cells in your body. Benadryl also blocks acetylcholine. Because anticholinergic drugs and Benadryl work in the same way, taking them together can increase the risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:
Benadryl and Xanax
Xanax is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine, which can cause sleepiness. Taking Xanax with Benadryl can increase your risk of excessive sleepiness. This can make you too sleepy to drive or prevent you from doing other potentially dangerous activities safely.
If you take Xanax, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. They may recommend other treatment options.
Benadryl and Zoloft
Zoloft is an antidepressant that can cause sleepiness in some people who take it. Taking Zoloft with Benadryl may increase the risk of excessive sleepiness. This can make you too sleepy to drive or prevent you from doing other potentially dangerous activities safely.
Benadryl and Zyrtec
Benadryl and Motrin
Why Is Benadryl Not Safe For Toddlers
Therefore, Benadryl is not safe for infants as a general rule. This is because the active ingredient diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, which can be dangerous to children younger than two. Because Benadryl is an antihistamine, it can cause serious or even fatal side effects in infants.
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When To Talk With A Professional
If you have chronic insomnia, talk with a medical professional. They may recommend prescribed sleep aids or antidepressants with a sedating effect.
Many prescription sleep aids pose some potential risks and may not be appropriate for everyone. Pregnant people and people with certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, shouldnt take certain prescription sleep aids. Some may also have unwanted side effects such as dizziness. Others may experience dependence.
Heres Something You May Not Know: Dph Is The Sole Active Ingredient In Both Benadryl And Zzzquil But Only One Is Indicated For Helping You Fall Asleep
Although Benadryl lists marked drowsiness as a potential side effect, it is not indicated for sleep on its packaging. In fact, Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Benadryl, declined to comment on this subject as it discusses an off-label use.
ZzzQuil products, on the other hand, have the exact same active ingredient. Therefore, these ZzzQuil products essentially work in the same way as Benadryl, but theyre marketed specifically to help you get sleepin the short-term, that is. ZzzQuil is indicated for the relief of occasional sleeplessness, and the warning label advises consumers to stop use and consult a doctor if theyre still having trouble sleeping after two weeks. When reached for comment, Procter & Gamble, the makers of ZzzQuil, emphasized these instructions. Benadryl doesnt contain any such warning, even though experts agree that its not good to take it over the long term.
But taking ZzzQuil to help you sleep could, theoretically, come with the same potential side effects of taking Benadryl, like next-day sleepiness. On the ZzzQuil site, the manufacturers note that there are many factors that could influence how well rested you feel the next morning, including the time you take ZzzQuil. They recommend you only take ZzzQuil if you know youll have enough time to get a full nights rest, however much that usually is for you.
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About Katie Mccormack Mdallergy Asthma & Immunology Specialist
As part of the Allergy Department at Boulder Medical Center, Dr. Katie McCormack treats infant, youth, and adult patients for everything from seasonal and food allergies to asthma and eczema. She strives to educate, inform, and empower her patients to become participants in their own wellness and care.
Dr. McCormack completed her allergy and immunology fellowship at the University of Colorado Childrens Hospital and her Pediatric Residency at the University of Michigan, where she was chief resident. She earned her medical degree at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
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Who Might Consider Taking Benadryl For Sleep And How Often
Overall, using Benadryl as a sleep aid really isn’t something sleep medicine experts recommend. But if you’re an otherwise healthy person, you can’t sleep one random time, and you happen to have Benadryl handy, Dr. Katznelson says taking the recommended dose should be fine. Still, he emphasizes, “it should not be used on a routine basis and rarely, if at all.”
“Clear guidelines are lacking,” notes Dr. Katznelson. “But in my opinion, the ideal candidate for rare use of Benadryl for insomnia would be under the age of 50 with no other medical comorbidities or problems,” such as pulmonary troubles or glaucoma. (FWIW, Benadryl is also known to aggravate prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate gland enlargement.
“I really don’t recommend using these types of drug more than a couple of times per month,” adds Dr. Winter. “There are better solutions to having trouble sleeping. I mean why not just read a book? The fear of ‘not sleeping’ in the moment is really the problem for most.”
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Why Does This Happen
Its generally unknown why paradoxical excitation happens in some people and not others.
One theory from a 2008 case report has to do with a type of genetic variation. Three people reporting paradoxical excitability as a response to diphenhydramine had extra copies of a specific gene.
This gene encodes instructions to make an enzyme called CYP2D6. CYP2D6 is important for breaking down certain types of medications, such as Benadryl. Having extra CYP2D6 can make Benadryl metabolism much faster.
The researchers above hypothesized that its possible that in these people, Benadryl could be quickly broken down into substances that lead to excitability, rather than sedation. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
How Common Is It
There arent currently any estimates of how common paradoxical excitation is in people that take Benadryl.
If the theory about fast metabolism is correct, a significant number of people in the United States could be impacted. The 2008 case report discussed above estimated that 1% to 2% of people in the United States have the genetic variation.
Additionally, it appears like paradoxical excitation is more common in children. Youll actually see this effect listed on the labels of Benadryl products.
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Pregnancy And Breastfeeding When Taking Benadryl
Diphenhydramine can pass into breast milk and it may be harmful to a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow down breast milk production. Talk to your doctor before taking Benadryl if you’re breastfeeding.
In some cases, it may be safe to use Benadryl during pregnancy, but it should not be used during the last two weeks of pregnancy as it increases the risk of eye disease in newborns.
Discuss Benadryl with your doctor before you decide to take it during pregnancy as they may advise against it and recommend a safer alternative.
