Can long term use of Benadryl be harmful?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The federal regulation of food, drugs, cosmetics, biologics, medical products and tobacco is legally mandated by acts of the United States Congress.

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(FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter

over-the-counter

Over-the-counter medicine is also known as OTC or nonprescription medicine. All these terms refer to medicine that you can buy without a prescription. They are safe and effective when you follow the directions on the label and as directed by your health care professional.

https://www.fda.gov › understanding-over-counter-medicines

Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines | FDA

(OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

What are the side effects of long term use of Benadryl?

Is it OK to take Benadryl every night?

Is it safe to take diphenhydramine every night? You should not take diphenhydramine every night. While it may be helpful during limited periods of insomnia, your body will build up a tolerance for the medication over time, and it will no longer have the desired effect.

Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and hydroxyzine are common examples of anticholinergic medications that are not cleared as well from the system in older people. This can lead to confusion, dry mouth, and constipation.

Is Benadryl habit forming?

Diphenhydramine, a major ingredient used to make Benadryl, is highly addictive. Although the drug is used to treat conditions like insomnia, nausea, the common cold, and tremors for Parkinson's patients, if regularly ingested in liquid, tablet, or capsule form, it can become addictive.

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Is Benadryl hard on your liver?

Despite widespread use over many decades, diphenhydramine has not been linked to liver test abnormalities or to clinically apparent liver injury. The reason for its safety may relate its short half-life and limited duration of use. Likelihood score: E (unlikely to be a cause of clinically apparent liver injury).

Can Benadryl damage your brain?

Long-term use of anticholinergic drugs is associated with increased dementia risk. Potential harm to the brain: Long-term anticholinergic use has been associated with increased dementia risk; diphenhydramine can impair many cognitive functions including memory.

How long is it safe to take Benadryl?

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with diphenhydramine does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash. Do not use diphenhydramine for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

Is it safe to take 25mg of Benadryl daily?

Oral Benadryl products shouldn't be taken more than 6 times each day. For adults and children over 12 years of age, the maximum is 300 mg each day. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is 150 mg each day.

What can I take instead of Benadryl?

Is it safe to take an antihistamine every day?

Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines: Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control. Only when you have symptoms.

Does taking Benadryl every night cause dementia?

The research to date has not definitively proven that Benadryl (as a specific individual medication) raises the risk of developing dementia. However, the class of medications Benadryl belongs to (anticholinergics) does appear to be associated with dementia.

Is Benadryl linked to Alzheimers?

Researchers have discovered a significant link between high use of anticholinergic drugs – including popular non-prescription sleep aids and the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) – and increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people.

Does Benadryl contribute to dementia?

Common anticholinergic drugs like Benadryl linked to increased dementia risk. A report published in JAMA Internal Medicine several years ago highlighted a link between long-term use of anticholinergic medications like Benadryl and dementia.

Does Benadryl damage your kidneys?

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can be caused by a commonly used over-the-counter and prescription medication, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, McNeil). We do not usually think of this drug as a major source of renal impairment, but it can cause problems in some predisposed patients, including elderly populations.

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Does Benadryl cause weight gain?

Histamine also acts as a neurotransmitter in our brains playing a key role in wakefulness and preventing sleep, which is why Benadryl (an anti-histamine) makes you sleepy. This effect may actually one of the reasons why anti-histamines can result in weight gain.

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Is long term use of antihistamines safe?

Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning.

How do you wean off Benadryl to sleep?

In general, wean gradually by 25-50% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is serious adverse effects, wean faster or cease immediately. Provide advice to patient/carer on self-monitoring and what to do if symptoms re-occur.

Does Benadryl raise blood pressure?

Official answer. 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.

What happens if you take allergy medicine everyday?

Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time can lead to serious side effects, including seizures, heart rhythm problems, and, in some cases, death. If you're considering adding a second allergy medication, it's best to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first.

Do antihistamines weaken immune system?

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that sedating first-generation H1R antihistamines and H2R blockers might impair innate immune responses to bacteria and that these drugs should be used with caution in patients with severe bacterial infections.

What is the safest antihistamine?

Loratadine, cetrizine, and fexofenadine all have excellent safety records. Their cardiovascular safety has been demonstrated in drug-interaction studies, elevated-dose studies, and clinical trials. These three antihistamines have also been shown safe in special populations, including pediatric and elderly patients.

Is Zyrtec better than Benadryl?

Is Zyrtec or Benadryl better? Both drugs are similarly effective, but Zyrtec may cause less drowsiness. Zyrtec still can cause drowsiness as well, though. Since both medications are available OTC, you can try one to see how it improves your symptoms.