Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. * Both Benadryl and Zyrtec can cause sleepiness, but its more common in people who take Benadryl. An antihistamine overdose can cause various symptoms of toxicity, such as severe drowsiness, blurred vision, hallucinations, and seizures. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing your exposure to allergy triggers or using a HEPA air filter, can help reduce your chance of experiencing symptoms during peak allergy season. , insect bites/stings, latex, or certain food. Can my doctors mix Metamucil with Is it safe to take Synthroid and phentermine together? Does Metamucil Interact With Benadryl Or Prednisone? When these blood vessels narrow, the tissue shrinks and allows the normal flow of air and mucus. She recommends starting a daily antihistamine two weeks before allergy season starts, as its the best way to keep symptoms at bay. Benadryl and most Unisom products contain the same ingredient, diphenhydramine. Benadryl is an over-the-counter antihistamine thats used to help relieve symptoms of hay fever, other allergies, and the common cold, as well as itchy skin caused by insect bites, hives, and other causes. If you take other medications, talk with your pharmacist before taking Benadryl. Can I also take my daily Claritin after? This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. This was due to tolerance. Antihistamines are typically classified as either first generation or second generation. Allegra (fexofenadine) is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. Severe allergic reactions can lead to swelling and shortness of breath. This effect may decrease or wear off with continued use. Studies have shown the effects of the medication actually last slightly longer than 24 hours, but nevertheless, is indicated for once daily dosing. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. If you are concerned about an antihistamines side effects or drug interactions, there are alternative treatments. J&JCI 2023. There are several other antihistamines that you can use as alternatives. Your doctor may want to evaluate the babys symptoms. If Benadryl is taken after twelve hours of Claritin, then side effects are few, but the efficacy is very low. For more tips on how to combat congestion, read our guide on nasal congestion here. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. There are no known interactions between Benadryl and Motrin (ibuprofen). Oral Benadryl products arent approved for sleeplessness, but some people take oral Benadryl once before bedtime for that purpose. Theyre effective for this use, but theyre not usually a first-choice treatment because of side effects such as sleepiness. If youre using eye drops for itchy, watery eyes, they work immediately, but steroid nasal sprays can take a few days to kick in. But when it comes to allergy medications for seasonal allergies, its best to start taking them preventively 2-4 weeks before you expect your allergic symptoms to start. The release of too much histamine can spur bothersome symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy eyes, throat, or skin. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Use this table as a quick reference guide for which medications are safe, but always consult with your pharmacist or healthcare provider before adding a medication to your daily regimen. If you feel sleepy after taking it, dont drive. Taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is likely safe. Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. In addition, taking Benadryl long term might increase the risk of dementia such as Alzheimers disease, especially in older adults. Learn which provider you should see for your stuffy nose, Here is what to watch for if you take this fat-soluble supplement, Non-drowsy antihistamines, such as Allegra, Claritin, and Clarinex can offer allergy relief without the symptom of drowsiness. , a holistic health practitioner and naturologist. The American Headache Society recommends not using diphenhydramine for treating migraine headaches. This is due to side effects such as sleepiness. Taking Claritin And Benadryl Together These side effects are more common in older adults. Claritin has a long-lasting effect of 24 hours per dose and thus, it must be taken in the morning and Benadryl's effect lasts for a short period of time and also has sedative properties, which is why it should be taken at night so that it helps the patient to fall asleep faster. Because Benadryl can cause sleepiness, its not typically recommended for less severe swelling. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is 150 mg each day. However, diphenhydramine, the main ingredient contained in most Benadryl products, is contained in other products that help improve sleep. Take each dose with a full glass of water. This means your bodys response to the drug may decrease over time. You will be doubling up on anti-histamines - and although not dangerous, is of little benefit. Continue to take it throughout the season, says Julia Scalise, Ph.D., a holistic health practitioner and naturologist. Take Benadryl exactly as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor. Do not use more Benadryl than your recommended dosage. Benadryl is used to treat the following conditions: Allergic Reactions Allergic Rhinitis Cold Symptoms Cough Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Extrapyramidal Reaction Motion Sickness Nausea/Vomiting Pruritus Urticaria Claritin A total of 91 drugs are known to interact with Claritin . Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine. Your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms to determine the safest treatment. Melatonin usually costs more than Benadryl. If youre one of the 25.7% of Americans with seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis), spring allergens like grass and pollen may trigger a cascade of pesky symptoms[1]Ng AE, Boersma P. Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Adults: United States, 2021. Childrens BENADRYL temporarily relieves indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat. They both have a . While our team of, Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss. Some are oral, and some are topical. This side effect may go away after 3 to 4 days of daily use. BENADRYL (diphenhydramine HCI) is a safe and effective medicine when used as directed by the label. Answers when you need them most. There are different forms of Unisom. Other commonly reported side effects associated with taking Benadryl include but are not limited to: Dizziness Fatigue Dry mouth Constipation Taking Claritin And Benadryl At The Same Time Do NOT use multiple products that contain diphenhydramine at the same time, even if one is topical and the other is oral. Also, dont use dangerous equipment if you feel sleepy after taking Benadryl. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a brand-name medication thats classified as an antihistamine. Second, we also include links to advertisers offers in some of our articles; these affiliate links may generate income for our site when you click on them. If you have symptoms frequently (more often than about 4 days per week), there may be a safer, more effective medication for you than Benadryl. Follow this helpful BENADRYL Dosage Chart to learn more about proper dosing. Before taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions you have. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have allergies or have a cold, your body releases a chemical messenger called histamine. Oral antihistamines generally start to work within 30 minutes, reaching maximum effect in about 2 hours. There are no known interactions between Benadryl and acetaminophen (Tylenol). The decongestant component can cause elevated blood pressure and elevated heart rate, says, , clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington. Allegra is the brand name for the over-the-counter antihistamine fexofenadine, a second-generation antihistamine, says Dr. Husain. There are no BENADRYL products that contain pseudoephedrine. You can take it every 4 to 6 hours, or as directed by your doctor. Benadryl can cause mild or serious side effects. First-generation antihistamines can cause side effects such as: Second-generation antihistamines can cause side effects similar to those of first-generation antihistamines. If you have symptoms of depression while taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor. Short answer- it is ok. My Child's Runny Nose Got Better After Taking Benadryl . Additionally, it should not be combined with topical Benadryl cream. The duration of action of Claritin (loratadine) allergy medication is about 24 hours long. Taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily, but patients should make sure they do not interact with their other medications,, , professor and chair of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, The risk of interaction increases with combination products. I take Claritin and I'm hoping that since it reduces symptoms that irritate my sinuses and lungs it will help strengthen my immune system. This prevents histamine from binding to these receptors. Depression isnt a side effect that typically happens in people who take Benadryl. Before giving oral Benadryl to children under 6 years, or cough and cold products to children under 2 years, talk with your doctor. Drowsiness can be a side effect of all forms of Benadryl. Benadryl reaches peak levels in the body within 2 hours. Because they cause drowsiness, they are not safe to mix with alcoholsomething to consider if you plan to have a drink during allergy season. If you take Zyrtec, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. Benadryl also has central nervous system depressant effects and has a direct suppressive effect on the cough center. They may recommend other treatment options. Our BENADRYL (diphenhydramine) products are made with effective ingredients that are safe when used as directed. Consult a doctor for medical advice before taking multiple antihistamines. Benadryl dosage for dogs. These forms include: Prescription diphenhydramine, the ingredient in Benadryl, is also available as a solution for injection. Experts say, its usually okay. Adults or children should not apply Benadryl products, such as the cream, gel, and spray, to their skin more than four times per day. Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 53 years experience. An expectorant is a product that loosens mucus in your respiratory tract so you can cough it up. I take Benadryl when this happens. Taking these with Benadryl can increase the risk of excessive sleepiness.