Remember to wash your hands afterwards, unless you're treating your hands. If you're taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep and you forget to take it by bedtime, skip your missed dose and start again the next evening. If you're taking any other medicine containing diphenhydramine and forget to take a dose, take your medicine when you next need it to ease your symptoms.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. In serious cases you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital. Do not use diphenhydramine cream at the same time as other products containing diphenhydramine.
This can lead to overdose. Go to Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the diphenhydramine packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you. Like all medicines, diphenhydramine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
However, you may be more likely to get them if you're over Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:.
Diphenhydramine cream can sometimes make your rash worse. It may also make your skin sensitive to sunlight. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to diphenhydramine. These are not all the side effects of diphenhydramine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. While diphenhydramine can be used during pregnancy, it is not normally recommended. This is because of the side effects, which may be more significant during pregnancy.
Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist other medicines, such as chlorphenamine , that may more suitable. If you have difficulty sleeping while you're pregnant, your doctor or midwife may suggest ways to improve your sleep routine, like relaxing, and avoiding naps. If you have a cough or cold, you can help to ease your symptoms by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol. If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take diphenhydramine while you're breastfeeding, but it's better to take occasional doses or only take it for a short time.
Diphenhydramine passes into breast milk in very small amounts. Although it's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby, it is a drowsy antihistamine, so could make your baby sleepy. If you're breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor. They may recommend similar antihistamines, called loratadine and cetirizine , that are more suitable while you're breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, midwife or health visitor if your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, seems irritable, or if you have any other concerns about your baby.
Some medicines can affect the way diphenhydramine works, and increase the chances of you having side effects. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:. If you're taking a cough or cold remedy or a painkiller containing diphenhydramine, check carefully what the other ingredients are. For example, check whether it contains paracetamol.
Ask your pharmacist for advice before you take this medicine together with any other painkillers or medicines. There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside diphenhydramine, especially ones that cause side effects such as sleepiness, a dry mouth or making it difficult to pee. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Diphenhydramine is a medicine called an antihistamine. It is classed as a drowsy sedating antihistamine.
When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, your body produces a chemical called histamine. This can cause symptoms such as a runny nose or skin rashes. Diphenhydramine blocks the effects of histamine in your brain and this reduces symptoms. It enters the brain in large quantities and this can make you feel drowsy. Diphenhydramine also blocks the effects of another chemical called acetylcholine.
This can help a cough or runny nose but can also cause side effects such as a dry mouth and dry nose. If you're taking diphenhydramine for short-term sleep problems, it will start to make you feel drowsy around 20 to 30 minutes after you take it.
For coughs and colds, your symptoms will normally start to improve within 20 minutes. You can become dependent on it if you take it continuously for too long. To avoid this, follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only take diphenhydramine for a very short time, unless your doctor advises otherwise. It is unlikely that you'll become addicted to diphenhydramine but it's best to only take it for a short time.
You can become dependent on diphenhydramine if you take it continuously for too long. Follow the instructions that come with the medicine and only take diphenhydramine for a very short time, unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you have a severe itchy skin rash, your doctor may recommend taking 2 different antihistamines at the same time for a few days.
As well as taking a non-drowsy antihistamine during the day such as fexofenadine , cetirizine or loratadine , your doctor may advise that you take a drowsy antihistamine at night if itching is making it difficult to sleep. Do not take another drowsy antihistamine together with diphenhydramine.
It will make you very tired and sleepy. Other drowsy antihistamines include chlorphenamine Piriton , promethazine Phenergan and hydroxyzine Atarax or Ucerax. Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless you've been advised to by your doctor. Diphenhydramine is known as a drowsy, or sedating, antihistamine as it makes you sleepy.
Non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to have this effect. These include cetirizine , fexofenadine and loratadine. Most people prefer to take a non-drowsy antihistamine as it's less likely to interfere with their everyday routine. You might choose to take a drowsy antihistamine, however, if you're having problems falling asleep, or if symptoms like itching or coughing are keeping you awake.
There is not enough information to say whether one antihistamine is better than another for treating allergies. You may need to try a few different medicines to find what works best for you.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're unsure. Diphenhydramine blocks the effects of a natural chemical called acetylcholine. This can help dry up a cough or runny nose but can also cause side effects such as a dry mouth and dry nose. Some cough and cold remedies claim to suppress your cough or stop you bringing up phlegm.
Although some people find them helpful, they're not usually recommended. This is because there's little evidence that they're any more effective than simple home remedies, and they're not suitable for everyone.
Yes, you can take diphenhydramine together with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.
However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Federal law generally requires that prescription drugs in the U.
Generic alternatives may be available. Diphenhydramine pronounced as dye fen hye' dra meen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow?
What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products. If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. Do not try to break the capsules. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking diphenhydramine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diphenhydramine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diphenhydramine preparations.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the package label for a list of the ingredients. Be sure to mention any of the following: other diphenhydramine products even those that are used on the skin ; other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for anxiety, depression, or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
If you will be using the liquid, tell your doctor if you have been told to follow a low-sodium diet. 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. 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. Talk to your doctor before using a first-generation antihistamine if you have any of the following health problems:. If you have kidney or liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking a second-generation antihistamine.
Last Updated: July 21, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Decongestants are medicines that relieve a congested nose. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Path to improved well being When your body is exposed to allergens allergy triggers , it makes histamines. First-generation OTC antihistamines These were among the first antihistamines scientists developed.
Common kinds include: Loratadine brand names include Alavert, Claritin Cetirizine brand names include Zyrtec Fexofenadine brand names include Allegra Note: Some antihistamines are mixed with other medicines. How do I safely take OTC antihistamines? Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous. Mixing medicines can be dangerous.
They may have similar active ingredients that add up to be too much medicine. How can I safely store OTC antihistamines? Could OTC antihistamines cause problems with any other medicines I take?
Talk to your doctor before using a first-generation antihistamine if you have any of the following health problems: Glaucoma. Trouble urinating from an enlarged prostate gland. Breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
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