Diphenhydramine Oral Description

Generic Name : DIPHENHYDRAMINE ORAL

Pronunciation : (dye fen hye' dra meen)

Trade Name(s) : Benadryl

Why it is prescribed: Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, relieves red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, and the common cold. It may also relieve the itching of insect bites, sunburns, bee stings, poison ivy, poison oak, and minor skin irritation. Diphenhydramine is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, induce sleep, treat Parkinson's disease, and relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation.

When it is to be taken: Diphenhydramine is usually taken three or four times a day. For motion sickness, diphenhydramine is taken 30 minutes before departure and, if needed, before meals and at bedtime. Diphenhydramine is taken at bedtime for sleep. Do not take this drug more often or take more doses in a 24-hour period than as directed on the label.

How it should be taken: Diphenhydramine is usually taken three or four times a day. For motion sickness, diphenhydramine is taken 30 minutes before departure and, if needed, before meals and at bedtime. Diphenhydramine is taken at bedtime for sleep. Do not take this drug more often or take more doses in a 24-hour period than as directed on the label.

Special Instruction :
1. If insomnia (sleeplessness) lasts for more than two weeks, consult your doctor.
2. Diphenhydramine causes drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
3. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time for your next scheduled dose, take only the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Dry mouth, nose, and throat. Suck sugarless lozenges or hard candies, chew sugarless gum, or drink fluids.
2. Vision problems, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness, excitement, nervousness. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking diphenhydramine. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
2. If you regularly take sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, medication for depression or seizures, narcotics or other medication for cold, hay fever, or allergies, do not take diphenhydramine without your doctor's advice and supervision.
3. Do not take diphenhydramine if you have taken monoaminooxidase inhibitors like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last two weeks.
4. If you have asthma, lung disease, glaucoma, ulcers, difficulty urinating, heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, or an overactive thyroid gland or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not use diphenhydramine unless your doctor is aware of your condition and directs you to take it.
5. Do not give diphenhydramine to a child younger than six years of age unless directed to do so by a doctor.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature. Do not allow the liquid to freeze.