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HomeHealthIs Benadryl And Allergy Relief The Same Thing

Is Benadryl And Allergy Relief The Same Thing

Zyrtec Vs Benadryl: Similar Side Effects

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Some of the similar side effects of Cetirizine and Diphenhydramine include:

  • Severe: Anaphylaxis Bronchospasm Hemolytic anemia Seizures
  • Moderate: Blurred vision Constipation Dermatitis Euphoria Thrombocytopenia Urinary retention
  • Mild: Abdominal pain Appetite stimulation Asthenia Drowsiness Diarrhea Dizziness Dry mouth Dry eyes Fatigue Headache Hyperhidrosis Insomnia Increased urinary frequency Paresthesias Photosensitivity Rash Tinnitus Urticaria Vertigo Weakness weight gain

Differences Between Benadryl And Benadryl Allergy

Categorized under Drugs | Differences Between Benadryl and Benadryl Allergy

Benadryl vs Benadryl Allergy

One of the more common medications that we get to read about, hear about, and probably purchase for immediate remedies for allergies for home use is Benadryl. Then again, like many housewives, employees, students, parents, we also get to hear about another type of Benadryl and most likely, would wonder how is this similar to the medication called Benadryl Allergy? Is there any difference? Are they just the same and when you purchase this over the counter, it will be up to the pharmacist to give you either Benadryl or Benadryl Allergy?

This is what this article aims to tackle. Hopefully, it will be able to properly differentiate these common enough and over-the-counter drugs called Benadryl and Benadryl Allergy.

Lets start off with Benadryl.

It is important that on this part of the article, we would talk about this medication, Benadryl, and be able to properly differentiate it when it is marketed by specific countries, especially those noted below, because what the product contains as they are marketed in different countries, greatly differ.

With that noted, please ensure that the Benadryl that you purchase from the US is the one that would help in treating your allergies.

What is Benadryl Allergy?

It is basically another version of Benadryl. They basically have the same effect and generic component.

SUMMARY:

How Do I Know Which Antihistamine To Take

Because there are so many antihistamine products, both over-the-counter and prescription, and because they are used to treat so many different conditions, you may need help figuring out which medication to take. For minor ailments, you can probably take over-the-counter products. You can read the package labeling and match your symptoms to the labeled symptoms. Also, never hesitate to ask the pharmacist. They are highly schooled in the actions and effects and side effects of drugs. You may need to try different antihistamines to find the best medication to manage your symptoms.

If you need a prescription antihistamine, you and your healthcare provider will work together to figure out what medication will be best for you. Many drugs interact with antihistamines, so your healthcare provider will want to know what medical conditions you have and medications you are currently taking. They will also want to know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Some antihistamines are not recommended in pregnancy because they may cause birth defects in very high doses. Antihistamines can pass into breast milk, so you should consult with your healthcare provider before using antihistamines if you are breastfeeding.

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Benadryl Vs Zyrtec: Dosing

How each is dosed shows significant differences in the duration of action of each.

Benadryl

Benadryl has a duration of action of around 4 to 6 hours, although this can be prolonged in those with liver disease or in the certain populations like the elderly. In addition, some individuals can be ‘slow-metabolizers’ or ‘fast-metabolizers’ of Benadryl, which alters how long the effects last for.

Benadryl is typically dosed at 25 to 50 mg at 4 to 6 hour intervals.

Zyrtec

Zyrtec has a duration of action of 24 hours, which is the claim to fame of most ‘second-generation’ antihistamines. This long duration of action allows it to be dosed only once a day, which is ideal for treating perennial and seasonal allergy symptoms.

The most common dose of Zyrtec is 10 mg once daily, although low doses of Zyrtec twice daily can be used in young children for certain indications, like atopic dermatitis .

Benadryl Vs Zyrtec: Classification

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Antihistamines are grouped largely by their ‘generation’ in regard to the time in which they were developed and made commercially available.

Benadryl is a ‘first-generation’ antihistamine in the ethanolamine class of drugs. ‘First-generation’ antihistamines are typically associated with:

  • A relatively short duration of action .
  • Significant sedative and anticholinergic effects.

Zyrtec is a “second-generation” antihistamine in the piperazine class of drugs. They are structurally related to ethanolamines but have a:

  • Longer duration of action .
  • Low to moderate sedative and anticholinergic effects.

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Conditions Treated By Zyrtec And Benadryl

When the FDA approved Zyrtec as a prescription product in 1995, it had three indications: to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, or chronic urticaria. Zyrtec has been available over the counter since 2007. While those indications still apply, the packaging information states that Zyrtec is used for temporary relief of runny nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies.

Benadryls packaging information states that the medication can be used for temporary relief of allergy symptoms caused by hay fever or other allergies. Benadryl is also used to treat runny noses and sneezing from the common cold.

Condition
Yes

Is Benadryl Good For Anxiety

One of the biggest advantages of using an OTC medication such as Benadryl to treat anxiety is that it is fast-acting and convenient. These qualities can be helpful if you need to reduce symptoms of mild anxiety quickly. Because Benadryl causes many people to feel drowsy, it can also help with sleep.

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How To Cope With Side Effects Of Acrivastine

What to do about:

  • feeling sleepy try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
  • dry mouth chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
  • feeling dizzy lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully. It’s best to avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and recreational drugs. If the dizziness does not get better within a couple of days, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

How Should Allegra Be Taken

Benadryl for Allergic Reactions – Should You Take It?

Allegra is available in several strengths and forms as tablets in strengths of 30, 60 and 180 mg, as 30 mg fast orally disintegrating tablets and as an oral suspension of 30mg per 5 ml. The dosage is dependent on the age, weight and effectiveness of the drug special care should be taken when prescribing this drug to infants and children to make sure the recommended dosage is given.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Allegra it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Allegra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Note that the Allegra ODT tablets contain 5.3 mg of phenylalanine and should not be used by individuals with phenylketonuria.

Also Check: Cetirizine Vs Levocetirizine

Zyrtec Vs Benadryl: Which Drug Is Safer And More Effective

The question of Zyrtec vs Benadryl or which Benadryl alternatives are more effective is one that is frequently asked. However, a definitive answer to the question is hard to give. To begin answering this question, one must first establish the criteria based on which these two medications are to be compared. This criterion includes two main points, Efficacy in treating a given condition and Safety which lies in the degree of Drug-related sedation elicited.

Should I Give Benadryl For Treatment Of An Allergic Reaction

First line treatment of any severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction is ALWAYS self-injectable epinephrine. This is prescribed for children who have known food allergies or history of anaphylaxis to venom or other allergens. However, for mild symptoms such as rash or localized swelling without any breathing problems or other symptoms, antihistamines can help. 2nd generation antihistamines actually work faster than Benadryl® and last much longer as well. Many food allergy/anaphylaxis treatment plans are being changed to remove Benadryl® and list medications such as cetirizine instead.

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What Is The Generic Version Of Benadryl

Benadrylgeneric diphenhydramine

. Beside this, is there a difference between Benadryl and generic?

A main difference between Benadryl and Zyrtec is that Zyrtec tends to cause less drowsiness and sedation than Benadryl. Both Benadryl and Zyrtec are available in generic form and over-the-counter .

Also, is Wal DRYL a Benadryl? Walgreens – Compare to Benadryl® Allergy active ingredient NDC 0363-0190-08 – WalDryl® Allergy – DIPHENHYDRAMINE HCl 25 mg / ANTIHISTAMINE – CAPSULES – Relief of runny nose, sneezing, itchy DISTRIBUTED BY: WALGREEN CO.

Also to know, is Benadryl 50 mg over the counter?

Benadryl is an approved over-the-counter treatment of symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies such as: sneezing. runny nose. itchy eyes.

What’s the same as Benadryl?

Zyrtec and Benadryl are two antihistamine medications that can be purchased over the counter. They are both used to treat allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itching, and sneezing. While Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine, Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine that can cause more drowsiness.

Allergy Fatigue: Sick Tired And Drowsy From Allergies

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On top of the exhaustion that results from compromised sleep, allergy symptoms themselves can cause fatigue and drowsiness. Indeed, fighting a foreign body takes it out of you. And remember, allergens are merely substances that your body deems harmful. In other words, if allergy season fills your life with sleepy, zombie-like days its not just your imagination.

Drowsiness can easily degrade a persons feeling of overall wellness or affect their work and relationships, but what happens when the drowsiness goes beyond discomfort? Getting behind the wheel of a car while drowsy can be extremely dangerous when sleepiness starts to impair a persons driving ability.

Studies have shown that allergies and drowsiness negatively affect a persons reflex time, their decisions, and their motor skills. In the worst cases, it has caused drivers to momentarily fall asleep or get into accidents.

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Effectiveness And Speed Of Relief

Besides dosing, there are some slight differences in how quickly or well the drugs work. Zyrtec and Allegra work quickly for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and hives, typically within less than an hour. On the other hand, studies show that Claritin takes many hours to start working.

Studies show that Allegra is nearly as good as Zyrtec at treating However, Zyrtec appear to be better medicines for the treatment of hives.

If you’re taking Allegra, it’s important to avoid drinking fruit juice for one to two hours before you take the medication and one to two hours after. Juices such as orange juice or grapefruit juice can decrease the absorption of Allegra by nearly half.

Fda Warns About Serious Problems With High Doses Of The Allergy Medicine Diphenhydramine

Teen misuse sparked by dangerous Benadryl Challenge promoted on social media

09-24-2020 FDA Drug Safety Communication

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter allergy medicine diphenhydramine can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the Benadryl Challenge encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok.

We are investigating these reports and conducting a review to determine if additional cases have been reported. We will update the public once we have completed our review or have more information to share. We also contacted TikTok and strongly urged them to remove the videos from their platform and to be vigilant to remove additional videos that may be posted.

Consumers, parents, and caregivers should store diphenhydramine and all other OTC and prescription medicines up and away and out of childrens reach and sight. FDA recommends you lock up medicines to prevent accidental poisonings by children and misuse by teens, especially when they are home more often due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may be more likely to experiment.

Health care professionals, patients, and consumers can sign up for email alerts about Drug Safety Communications on medicines or medical specialties of interest to you.

Related Information

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Who Can And Cannot Take Acrivastine

Acrivastine capsules that you buy from pharmacies and supermarkets can be taken by adults under the age of 65, and children aged 12 years and over.

Acrivastine is not recommended for people over 65 because very little research on the medicine has been done in this age group.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you’re over 65 and want to take acrivastine.

Acrivastine 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 acrivastine or any other medicine
  • have kidney disease
  • have epilepsy or another health problem that puts you at risk of seizures or fits
  • have a rare illness called porphyria
  • are due to have an allergy test taking acrivastine may affect the results, so you might need to stop taking it a few days before the test

Warnings Of Zyrtec And Benadryl

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  • Do not use Zyrtec or Benadryl if you have ever had an allergic reaction to either product.
  • Do not use Zyrtec if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antihistamine called hydroxyzine.
  • Consult your healthcare provider before using Zyrtec or Benadryl if you have liver or kidney problems.
  • Consult your healthcare provider before using Zyrtec or Benadryl if you take any sedating medications.
  • Zyrtec or Benadryl may cause drowsiness.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Alcohol or sedative medications may increase drowsiness.
  • Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
  • Stop using Zyrtec or Benadryl and contact your doctor if you have an allergic reaction such as hives. If you have severe anaphylaxis , seek emergency medical treatment.
  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Consult your healthcare provider before using Zyrtec or Benadryl if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Additional warnings of Benadryl:

  • Do not use Benadryl to make a child fall asleep.
  • Do not use Benadryl with any other product that contains diphenhydramine .
  • Consult your healthcare provider before using if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate/trouble urinating, or a breathing problem like emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
  • Benadryl may cause excessive drowsiness, which is increased by alcohol and sedatives.
  • Excitability may occur, which is more common in children than in adults.

Read Also: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy

Which Antihistamine Is Best

The best antihistamine depends on each individual. Some people swear by Allegra, while others love Xyzal. Its really a matter of trial and error, based on how effective the medicine is for you and what kind of side effects you experience. Your healthcare provider can help you select an antihistamine to try.

Could Otc Antihistamines Cause Problems With Any Other Medicines I Take

Antihistamines can interact with other medicines you take. Talk to your doctor before taking a first-generation antihistamine if you take any medicines that can make you tired. These include sleeping pills, sedatives, or muscle relaxants.

Antihistamines are often combined with decongestants and/or pain relievers. If you take a combination medicine, its important to know each active ingredient. One or more could interact with other medicines youre taking.

Be sure not to take too much antihistamine. Many OTC cold and allergy medicines contain them already. Some prescription medicines do, too. If you take more than 1 of these medicines, you may get much more antihistamine than is good for you. Second-generation antihistamines are less likely to interact with other medicines you are taking. Always talk to your doctor if you take other medicines to make sure they are safe.

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What Benadryl Alternative To Take

The advice on which Benadryl alternative is best is a difficult one to give. OTC and prescription alternatives are traditionally the best-proven options, a patient might find the natural opportunities to be relatively safer, especially if they experience mild allergy symptoms. Often, individuals use alternative natural medicine in conjunction with complementary clinical medicine to maximize symptomatic relief. However, the final advice on which anti-allergy medication is right for you should come from a trained medical expert.

Also, while taking Diphenhydramine for treating allergies, it is essential to know its interactions with other medications and substances like Benadryl with alcohol. Some of these interactions may lead to dangerous circumstances.

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Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Benadryl Vs Claritin

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Benadryl can be purchased as an over-the-counter drug. Most Medicare and insurance plans may not cover Benadryl for this reason. Benadryl is widely available in its generic form diphenhydramine. Many pharmacies, grocery stores, and big-box retailers also carry diphenhydramine in their own store brand. The cost of Benadryl can be up to $18. If prescribed by your doctor, Benadryl can cost under $2 with a SingleCare coupon.

Claritin comes in boxes with quantities ranging from 5 tablets to 100 tablets. It is purchased over-the-counter as brand-name Claritin or generic loratadine. Most Medicare and insurance plans may not cover Claritin so its best to check with your insurance. The average retail cost of Claritin is around $30. With a prescription, the SingleCare cost is $4-$10

$4-$10

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I Often Use Benadryl To Help My Child Go To Sleep At Night Is This Ok

Not really. If your child is having difficulty sleeping, it is very important to discuss possible reasons with their doctor. Sleep aids, in general, are not effective as they dont address the underlying problem causing insomnia. If your child is itching so much from eczema or other causes, then antihistamines may be helpful to calm this down so they can rest, but we can still use 2nd generation options instead of older medications.

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