Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl)

Generic name: Diphenhydramine

Usage of Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl)

Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) is an antihistamine that is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) is also used to treat motion sickness, to induce sleep, and to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) sleep aid medicine is not for use in children younger than 12 years old.

There are many brands and forms of Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe drowsiness; or
  • painful or difficult urination.

    • Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

    Common side effects of Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) may include:

  • drowsiness;
  • dry eyes, blurred vision;
  • dry mouth, nose, or throat;
  • decreased urination;
  • constipation;
  • feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
  • day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl)

    You should not use Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) if you are allergic to it.

    Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

  • an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
  • asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
  • glaucoma; or
  • a thyroid disorder.

    • Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) may slow breast milk production.

    How to use Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl)

    Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

    Taking too much Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

    Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) to a child. Do not use the medicine only to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of antihistamines in very young children.

    For motion sickness, take Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) 30 minutes before you will be in a situation that causes you motion sickness (such as a long car ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc). Continue taking Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the time you will be in a motion-sickness situation.

    As a sleep aid, take Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) within 30 minutes before bedtime.

    You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

    Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

    Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

    Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

    Do not use Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

    Allergy Relief (Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) HCl) can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl).

    Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

    Warnings

    Use Allergy Relief (Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) HCl) exactly as directed. Taking too much Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

    Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) sleep aid medicine is not for use in children younger than 12 years old.

    What other drugs will affect Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl)

    Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl) with any other medicines, especially drugs that can cause drowsiness (such as opioid medication, sleep medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

    Popular FAQ

    The maximum oral dose of diphenhydramine for adults is generally reported as 100mg for a single dose or no more than 300mg in 24 hours, but this can vary depending on what condition diphenhydramine is being used for, the salt of diphenhydramine used (there are two salts available in the US diphenhydramine citrate and diphenhydramine chloride), the age of the person, how much diphenhydramine they have tolerated before, and if they are on any interacting medications. Taking too much diphenhydramine can be fatal. Continue reading

    Mucinex products do not help to prevent or treat the COVID-19 virus itself, but might help relieve some of the symptoms of COVID, like chest congestion, cough, or headache. Select a product that targets only the symptoms you have. Continue reading

    Increased blood pressure is not a typical side effect of diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine that lowers the effects of histamines in your body. However, in rare cases, the drug may cause hypotension, or decreased blood pressure. This side effect is most likely to occur in people who are over the age of 60. Continue reading

    Benadryl is quickly absorbed after oral administration and it starts to work within 30 minutes with peak effects reached within one to two hours. The effects of Benadryl last from four to six hours. Benadryl in the injectable form has a rapid onset of action. You will know when Benadryl starts to work because your allergy symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, or a skin rash, will start to feel better. Continue reading

    Diphenhydramine can be used as a short-term sleep aid to help ease occasional sleep problems, such as when you have a cold or cough and it is preventing you from falling asleep. Older adults, children under age 16 and pregnant women should avoid taking diphenhydramine, as the risks to these groups may outweigh the benefits. Continue reading

    Benadryl (generic name: diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that causes sleepiness in most people. Some people use Benadryl to help with sleep or insomnia, but this should only be for short-term use. Do not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy. Contact your doctor if you or your child are having trouble with sleep. Continue reading

    One of the most common side effects with Benadryl is drowsiness, but in some people it can have the opposite effect, known as paradoxical excitation. Instead of feeling sleepy, you may experience excitation, agitation or insomnia (trouble sleeping), which might make your anxiety symptoms feel worse. This may be more common in young children. Continue reading

    The difference between diphenhydramine hydrochloride and diphenhydramine citrate is that the salt used to bind the diphenhydramine, is different. For diphenhydramine hydrochloride the salt is hydrochloride and for diphenhydramine citrate the salt is citrate. This salt can change how quickly and effectively the diphenhydramine dissolves and is absorbed but once it is in the body it has no effect. Essentially 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride is equivalent to 38 mg of diphenhydramine citrate. Continue reading

    The maximum oral dose of diphenhydramine for adults is generally reported as 100mg for a single dose or no more than 300mg in 24 hours, but this can vary depending on what condition diphenhydramine is being used for, the salt of diphenhydramine used (there are two salts available in the US diphenhydramine citrate and diphenhydramine chloride), the age of the person, how much diphenhydramine they have tolerated before, and if they are on any interacting medications. Taking too much diphenhydramine can be fatal. Continue reading

    Mucinex products do not help to prevent or treat the COVID-19 virus itself, but might help relieve some of the symptoms of COVID, like chest congestion, cough, or headache. Select a product that targets only the symptoms you have. Continue reading

    Increased blood pressure is not a typical side effect of diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine that lowers the effects of histamines in your body. However, in rare cases, the drug may cause hypotension, or decreased blood pressure. This side effect is most likely to occur in people who are over the age of 60. Continue reading

    Benadryl is quickly absorbed after oral administration and it starts to work within 30 minutes with peak effects reached within one to two hours. The effects of Benadryl last from four to six hours. Benadryl in the injectable form has a rapid onset of action. You will know when Benadryl starts to work because your allergy symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, or a skin rash, will start to feel better. Continue reading

    Diphenhydramine can be used as a short-term sleep aid to help ease occasional sleep problems, such as when you have a cold or cough and it is preventing you from falling asleep. Older adults, children under age 16 and pregnant women should avoid taking diphenhydramine, as the risks to these groups may outweigh the benefits. Continue reading

    Benadryl (generic name: diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that causes sleepiness in most people. Some people use Benadryl to help with sleep or insomnia, but this should only be for short-term use. Do not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy. Contact your doctor if you or your child are having trouble with sleep. Continue reading

    One of the most common side effects with Benadryl is drowsiness, but in some people it can have the opposite effect, known as paradoxical excitation. Instead of feeling sleepy, you may experience excitation, agitation or insomnia (trouble sleeping), which might make your anxiety symptoms feel worse. This may be more common in young children. Continue reading

    The difference between diphenhydramine hydrochloride and diphenhydramine citrate is that the salt used to bind the diphenhydramine, is different. For diphenhydramine hydrochloride the salt is hydrochloride and for diphenhydramine citrate the salt is citrate. This salt can change how quickly and effectively the diphenhydramine dissolves and is absorbed but once it is in the body it has no effect. Essentially 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride is equivalent to 38 mg of diphenhydramine citrate. Continue reading

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