Get Informed: Benadryl
Active Ingredient(s)
Diphenhydramine
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in the treatment of allergies, congestion and allergic reactions. It works by blocking the action of histamine, an important chemical released during allergic reactions.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:34 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Benadryl
- Benadryl Allergy
- Diphenhydramine
- Sominex
- Sleep-EZE
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
- Diphenhydramine HCl
- Diphenhydramine Acefyllinate
- Diphenhydramine Citrate
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 04 Mar 1946
- Est US Patients*
- 4,275,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Benadryl or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Benadryl
Benadryl Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Benadryl interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Benadryl used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 25,000 patients that use Benadryl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies | 79% | 
|
| Insomnia | 35% |
|
| Other | 4% |
|
How well does Benadryl work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 25,000 users taking Benadryl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Benadryl outweigh the bad things.
- 14%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Benadryl.
Common Side Effects of Benadryl
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 25,000 users taking Benadryl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
46% of patients experience side-effects on Benadryl
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Benadryl
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Dry Mouth
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Dizziness, Dryness, Fatigue, Headache, Insomnia, Skin/Nail Problems, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
How can benadryl interfere with thyroid function?
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-14 18:01:55
Question/Comment:
I take Benadryl for allergies. It help with the itching from the hives
and help me rest a little better. It doesn't help me sleep though.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 09:23:02
Question/Comment:
Can diphenhydramine and lexapro be taken at the same time safely??
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-20 04:22:09
Question/Comment:
I take one Benedryl at bedtime to stop the debilitating cramps that I used to get in my feet every night. These were cramps that I could not walk off and they lasted all night. My neurologist recommended Benedryl and it has been a God send.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-04 19:33:53
Answer/Reply:
Sounds like you might be low in potassium, eat more bake potatoes. I analyze everything, and when I get charley horses in my legs or feet the cause is usually; bad shoes (especially ones with nice soft, spongy soles), side effect to a medicine and I've even gotten cramps from selected white wines...who knows why, but staying away from these things and eating a potato every couple of days seems to do away with cramps for me.
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-17 12:19:23
Answer/Reply:
You could try Country Life Calcium Magnesium Potassium. It can take up to a week to build up in your system but it seems to help with cramps and restless leg syndrom.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-27 13:49:29
Answer/Reply:
Diuretics give me terrible cramps in legs and arch. Can bring on a Gout attack for me as they rob your system of the liquid needed to desolve Uric Acid.
73 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-29 14:13:48
Question/Comment:
I had a nuclear stress test done in nov 2008. I usually take benydrl for sleep aide. Week later I took 1 and when I layed down to sleep, it felt like my heart was comming out of my throat. Turned out to be a very scary night. Anyone else have this happen after a stress test. I havent taken a Benadril since. I dont sleep good anymore either. 59 yr old lady
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-29 17:10:41
Answer/Reply:
I take Benadryl (2 capsules) every night before bed. It helps me sleep PLUS it helps keep my ear canals clear of fluid due to allergies. It has been wonderful for me and my doctor recommended it. I think you should try taking Benadryl again. It is a very safe drug and I doubt you'll have that reaction again. Keep us posted!
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 11:26:12
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
51
Patient Comments about
Benadryl