Geri-Dryl

Generic name: Diphenhydramine

Usage of Geri-Dryl

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

Geri-Dryl 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.

Geri-Dryl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Geri-Dryl 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.

Geri-Dryl may cause serious side effects. Stop using Geri-Dryl 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 Geri-Dryl 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 Geri-Dryl

You should not use Geri-Dryl 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. Geri-Dryl may slow breast milk production.

How to use Geri-Dryl

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

Taking too much Geri-Dryl can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Geri-Dryl 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 Geri-Dryl 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 Geri-Dryl 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 Geri-Dryl does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

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

Geri-Dryl can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Geri-Dryl.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Use Geri-Dryl exactly as directed. Taking too much Geri-Dryl can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

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

What other drugs will affect Geri-Dryl

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Geri-Dryl 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.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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