What are the dangers of taking Benadryl?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

Who should not take Benadryl?

Is Benadryl harmful if taken daily?

In addition, taking Benadryl long term might increase the risk of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, especially in seniors. In one study , people over the age of 65 years who took medications such as Benadryl daily for three years or longer had an increased risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

How many days can you safely take Benadryl?

Do not use diphenhydramine for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms. This medicine can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using diphenhydramine.

Is it OK to take Benadryl every night for allergies?

Is it OK to take Benadryl every day to treat my allergies? A. It's not a good idea. Benadryl Allergy (diphenhydramine and generic) and similar first-generation antihistamines used to treat allergy symptoms, such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton Allergy and generic), shouldn't be taken for long periods of time.

Why doctors are advising against Benadryl

Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?

Benadryl and older antihistamines

But first-generation antihistamines should be avoided in older adults in many cases. Because as we age, it's harder for our bodies to properly get rid of them. And higher doses may be needed for them to work. That can greatly raise your risk of side effects, including confusion.

What drugs interact badly with Benadryl?

Does Benadryl raise blood pressure?

Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) aren't known to raise blood pressure when used alone. Antihistamines are part of many combination over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products. They may be combined with a medication that can raise your blood pressure.

What can I use as a substitute for Benadryl?

In summary, I would suggest an oral, 2nd or 3rd generations antihistamine (e.g. cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine). If a parenteral agent is desired, I would prefer IV promethazine (10-25 mg) if more rapid onset is desired.

Why shouldn't you take Benadryl to sleep?

“Use of antihistamines can lead to sleep walking and other parasomnias. That can definitely occur with Benadryl just as with other hypnotic agents like Ambien,” Alapat said. While antihistamines may help you to fall asleep, overall sleep quality is usually not very good, he said.

Is it safe to take Benadryl with blood pressure medication?

Is Benadryl known to interact with blood pressure medications? There's not a known interaction between Benadryl and blood pressure medications. However, if you take blood pressure medication, you're encouraged to talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. It's possible for Benadryl to cause low blood pressure.

Can you take Benadryl daily for sleep?

While some over-the-counter antihistamines can cause drowsiness, routinely using them to treat insomnia isn't recommended.

How long does it take for 25 mg of Benadryl to wear off?

The medicine should work for around 4 to 6 hours.

What happens when you take Tylenol and Benadryl together?

In general, it is safe to combine Benadryl with over-the-counter pain medicines such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. All of these medicines work in different ways. Thankfully none of them have significant interactions.

What is the safest antihistamine for seniors?

So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.

What is the safest sleep aid for elderly?

In these settings, melatonin is considered the preferred pharmacological option for elderly patients. It is also an option for patients who are blind and suffer from non–24-hour sleep–wake rhythm disorder, given evidence supporting circadian entrainment.

What are 5 drugs to avoid in the elderly?

What can I take every night for sleep?

Does Benadryl affect the liver?

Despite widespread use over many decades, diphenhydramine has not been linked to liver test abnormalities or to clinically apparent liver injury.

Which antihistamine is best for long term use?

Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines — ones that won't make you sleepy — for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Aller-Tec®, Wall-Zyr®). Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Aller-ease®, Aller-Fex®, Wal-Fex®).

Is it OK to take melatonin every night?

Regardless of whether it truly helps with sleep or not, Dr. Ramkissoon doesn't recommend taking melatonin long-term. "Namely, because if you think you need to take melatonin every night to get to sleep, we need to understand why that's the case," explains Dr. Ramkissoon.

What is a good sleep aid for anxiety?

Antidepressants: Some antidepressant drugs, such as trazodone (Desyrel), are very good at treating sleeplessness and anxiety. Benzodiazepines: These older sleeping pills -- emazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others -- may be useful when you want an insomnia medication that stays in the system longer.

Is ZzzQuil the same as Benadryl?

ZzzQuil is an over-the-counter nighttime sleep aid. The active ingredient in ZzzQuil is diphenhydramine, which is also the active ingredient in the allergy medication Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that people commonly use to treat allergic reactions, itchiness, and hives.

What is the best allergy medicine if you have high blood pressure?

Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are generally safe to use if you are not taking the blood pressure medicines listed in the drug interaction section above. Second-generation antihistamines include the following: Allegra (fexofenadine) Clarinex (desloratadine)