Get Informed: Benadryl Allergy
Active Ingredient(s)
Benadryl
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:
- 2010-Mar-20 7:50 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 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*
- 3,977,000
- 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 Allergy or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Benadryl Allergy
- Recall of Several Brands of Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg Capsules
- Voluntary Recall of Certain Lots of McNeil Over-the-Counter Products
Benadryl Allergy Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Benadryl Allergy interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Benadryl Allergy used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 26,500 patients that use Benadryl Allergy (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 | 69% | 
|
| Insomnia | 40% |
|
| Rash/Eczema | 7% | 
|
| Nasal/Sinus Congestion | 4% | 
|
How well does Benadryl Allergy work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 26,500 users taking Benadryl Allergy (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)
- 97%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Benadryl Allergy outweigh the bad things.
- 2%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Benadryl Allergy.
Common Side Effects of Benadryl Allergy
iGuard regularly polls our more than 26,500 users taking Benadryl Allergy (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.
33% of patients experience side-effects on Benadryl Allergy
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Benadryl Allergy
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Dryness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Fatigue, Grogginess/Confusion, Itch/Rash, Restlessness
Global Patient Feedback for Benadryl Allergy (Benadryl) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I took Benadryl daily for years and ended up having a mini stroke due to the fact that the Benadryl depleted my potassium level severely. They have switched me to Claratin, which doesn't work very well at all, but I'd rather deal with that then worry about having another stroke since I can't tell how much potassium is staying in my body even with a supplement.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-02 09:06:44
Question/Comment:
How can benadryl interfere with thyroid function?
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-14 18:01:55
iGuard Answer/Reply:
If you have hyperthyroidism, it is important to talk to your physician before taking diphenhydramine because it is possible that the diphenhydramine can cause the hyperthyroidism to be worse. A possible side effect of diphenhydramine is increased heart rate, which is also a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Taking diphenhydramine if you have hyperthyroidism, especially if you have uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, can lead to an increased expression of your symptoms or lead to severe adverse effects.
Posted: 2009-11-19 00:12:09
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-22 09:23:02
Question/Comment:
Can diphenhydramine and lexapro be taken at the same time safely??
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
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.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-29 14:13:48
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
104
Patient Comments about
Benadryl Allergy