Benadryl DF

Generic name: Diphenhydramine

Usage of Benadryl DF

Benadryl DF is an antihistamine that is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Benadryl DF is also used to treat motion sickness, to induce sleep, and to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This medicine sleep aid medicine is not for use in children younger than 12 years old.

There are many brands and forms of diphenhydramine available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Benadryl DF may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Benadryl DF 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.

Benadryl DF may cause serious side effects. Stop using Benadryl DF 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 Benadryl DF 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 Benadryl DF

    You should not use Benadryl DF 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. Benadryl DF may slow breast milk production.

    How to use Benadryl DF

    Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Benadryl DF is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

    Taking too much Benadryl DF can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

    Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Benadryl DF 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 Benadryl DF 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 this medicine with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the time you will be in a motion-sickness situation.

    As a sleep aid, take Benadryl DF 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 Benadryl DF does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

    Do not use Benadryl DF for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

    Benadryl DF can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Benadryl DF.

    Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

    Warnings

    Use Benadryl DF exactly as directed. Taking too much Benadryl DF can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

    Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Benadryl DF sleep aid medicine is not for use in children younger than 12 years old.

    What other drugs will affect Benadryl DF

    Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Benadryl DF 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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