Benadryl

Before using diphenhydramine injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diphenhydramine, other antihistamine medications including dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diphenhydramine injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the following: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); muscle relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use diphenhydramine injection if you are breastfeeding because of the risk of harm to infants.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other types of lung disease; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate gland) or difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland); heart disease; high blood pressure; or hyperthyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using diphenhydramine injection, call your doctor.
• you should know that diphenhydramine injection may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using diphenhydramine injection. Alcohol can make the side effects from diphenhydramine injection worse.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about diphenhydramine injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

What preparations of diphenhydramine are available?

• Capsules: 25 and 50 mg. Tablets: 12.5, 25 and 50 mg.
• Tablet (Chewable or dispersible)): 12.5 mg.
• Strips: 12.5 and 25 mg.
• Elixir, oral solution, liquid: 12.5 mg per teaspoon (5 mL).
• Strip: 25 mg. Injection: 50 mg per ml.

How should I keep diphenhydramine stored?

Diphenhydramine should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F), and the injection should be protected from freezing and light.

Before using diphenhydramine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, mental/mood disorders, seizures, stomach problems (e.g., ulcers, obstruction), overactive thyroid, difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate, urinary retention).This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit the use of alcohol and certain other medications that cause drowsiness. (See also Drug Interactions.)To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they are more sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. This drug can often cause excitement in young children instead of drowsiness.Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Benadryl is part of the drug class:

• Aminoalkyl ethers

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain cough and cold combinations. It may not be specific to Benadryl. Please read with care.

To help loosen mucus or phlegm in the lungs, drink a glass of water after each dose of this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

For patients taking the extended-release capsule or tablet form of this medicine:

• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole.
• Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.
• If the capsule is too large to swallow, you may mix the contents of the capsule with applesauce, jelly, honey, or syrup and swallow without chewing.

For patients taking the extended-release oral solution or oral suspension form of this medicine:

• Do not dilute with fluids or mix with other drugs.

For patients taking a combination medicine containing an antihistamine and/or aspirin or other salicylate:

• Take with food or a glass of water or milk to lessen stomach irritation, if necessary.

If a combination medicine containing aspirin has a strong vinegar-like odor, do not use it. This odor means the medicine is breaking down. If you have any questions about this, check with your pharmacist.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate the syrup.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Do not take diphenhydramine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A very dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye;
• a stomach ulcer;
• an enlarged prostate, bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
• an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
• hypertension or any type of heart problems; or
• asthma.

You may not be able to take diphenhydramine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Diphenhydramine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take diphenhydramine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Infants are especially sensitive to the effects of antihistamines, and side effects could occur in a breast-feeding baby. Do not take diphenhydramine without first talking to your doctor if you are nursing a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from diphenhydramine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Benadryl with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Benadry is quickly absorbed with maximum activity occurring within one hour. Effects of Benadryl last from four to six hours.

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