Benadryl

There are many different forms of Benadryl found in different countries. In the United States and Canada, there are several versions of Benadryl for allergies, some to be taken orally and some as a topical analgesic. In Australia, New Zealand and India, Benadryl is known as a cough liquid.

Benadryl Allergy is the name of a Benadryl product found in the United States and Canada. It is an antihistamine drug used to relieve allergies. Its active ingredient is diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine. It is known to be sedative, making drowsiness a common side effect. It is an oral drug to be taken by mouth, to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever and the common cold.{{Cite web|title=Benadryl: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects|url=https://www.drugs.com/benadryl.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=Drugs.com|language=en}} It can also be used to relieve allergies such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, rash and hives.

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Benadryl Allergy for Children is also available. It comes in liquid form and can be used to provide fast and effective relief for allergies such as sneezing, itchy, runny nose, itchy eyes and hives.{{Cite web|title=Drugs & Medications|url=https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91588/childrens-benadryl-allergy-oral/details|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.webmd.com|language=en}}

Benadryl Allergy is widely used as a sleep aid among adults. While it is not marketed as an over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping aid, most versions of Benadryl contain diphenhydramine, a drug with sedative properties.{{cite journal |last1=Albert |first1=Steven M. |last2=Roth |first2=Thomas |last3=Toscani |first3=Michael |last4=Vitiello |first4=Michael V. |last5=Zee |first5=Phyllis |title=Sleep Health and Appropriate Use of OTC Sleep Aids in Older Adults—Recommendations of a Gerontological Society of America Workgroup |journal=The Gerontologist |date=28 October 2015 |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=163–170 |doi=10.1093/geront/gnv139 |pmc=6281330 |pmid=26511271 }} Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has also been used by parents to help improve their infant's sleep habits. However, this has been met by criticism on whether it is appropriate to do so.{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Karl E. |title=Should Diphenhydramine Be Used as a Sleep Aid in Infants? |journal=American Family Physician |date=1 November 2006 |volume=74 |issue=9 |pages=1619–1620 |id={{ProQuest|234249689}} |url=https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/1101/p1619a.html }}

In the United Kingdom, Benadryl can be found as Benadryl Allergy Relief. The main ingredient in this medication is acrivastine. Acrivastine is a non-drowsy antihistamine used to relieve allergies. It can treat hay fever, hives, insect bites and stings, conjunctivitis and eczema.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-30|title=Acrivastine (Benadryl): antihistamine that relieves allergy symptoms|url=https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/acrivastine/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=nhs.uk|language=en}} Benadryl Allergy Relief contains 8 mg of acrivastine in each capsule. It is to be taken orally.

Benadryl Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant can also be found in the United Kingdom. It is used to relieve sinus, stuffy and runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-02|title=Pseudoephedrine: decongestant that relieves a stuffy or blocked nose|url=https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/pseudoephedrine/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=nhs.uk|language=en}} This version contains acrivastine and pseudoephedrine as its active ingredients. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used to relieve a nasal congestion. Benadryl Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant contains 8 mg of acrivastine and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine per capsule, and it is to be taken orally.

Benadryl can also be found in a topical form including gels and creams. Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream is a topical cream used to provide temporary itch relief for allergies, hives or even some insect bites. It can be found in the United States and Canada. This topical medication contains 2% of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and 1% of zinc acetate. This medication is intended for topical use only and not to be ingested.

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Benadryl in Australia and New Zealand comes in the form of a cough syrup. It is not to be confused with Benadryl for allergies. There are several forms of cough syrup available in the market for different types of coughs such as dry, tickly cough, chesty coughs and coughs with nasal congestion. Cough liquids for children are also available.

Benadryl Chesty Forte is used to relieve heavy chesty coughs and chest congestion. The main ingredients found are guaifenesin and bromhexine hydrochloride. It is to be taken orally to provide relief from cough and congested chests due to the common cold.{{Cite web|last=Australia|first=Healthdirect|title=Benadryl Chesty Forte|url=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,679061000168102/benadryl-chesty-forte|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.healthdirect.gov.au|language=en}} Benadryl Dry, Tickly Cough Liquid is a cough medicine found in Australia. It is used to temporarily relieve irritating coughs. Pholcodine is the main ingredient found in this cough liquid.{{Cite web|last=Australia|first=Healthdirect|title=Benadryl Dry Tickly Cough|url=https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,57001000168100/benadryl-dry-tickly-cough|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.healthdirect.gov.au|language=en}} This medication is to be taken orally and may cause drowsiness.

In India, Benadryl can also be found in the form of a cough liquid and also cough lozenges. Benadryl Cough Syrup contains diphenhydramine, ammonium chloride and citrate as its main ingredients. It is used to relieve cough and cold, and also soothes the throat.

A common side effect of taking Benadryl containing diphenhydramine is drowsiness.{{Cite web|last=Publishing|first=Harvard Health|title=Choosing an over-the-counter allergy medication|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/choosing-an-over-the-counter-allergy-medication|access-date=2020-11-02|website=Harvard Health|date=March 2019}} Other common side effects can include dry mouth and throat. Symptoms such as confusion and blurred vision can also occur. Other side effects of taking Benadryl include headache and dizziness.

Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine and an anticholinergic drug. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.{{Cite web|last=Publishing|first=Harvard Health|title=Two types of drugs you may want to avoid for the sake of your brain|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/two-types-of-drugs-you-may-want-to-avoid-for-the-sake-of-your-brain|access-date=2020-11-02|website=Harvard Health|date=October 21, 2015}} Studies propose that long-term use of anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk for dementia among older people.{{cite journal |last1=Wong |first1=H.C. George |title=Long-term use of diphenhydramine |journal=Canadian Medical Association Journal |date=6 October 2015 |volume=187 |issue=14 |pages=1078.2–1078 |doi=10.1503/cmaj.1150066 |pmc=4592307 |pmid=26438591 }} Long-term use of Benadryl can also lead to constipation and confusion.{{Cite magazine|title=Here's Why You Shouldn't Take a Sleeping Pill Every Night|url=https://time.com/5414015/sleeping-pill-health-risks/|access-date=2020-11-02|magazine=Time}}

Benadryl containing diphenhydramine can interact with alcohol as both are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness may be enhanced when taking alcohol with diphenhydramine.{{Cite web|title=Benadryl and Alcohol / Food Interactions|url=https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/diphenhydramine,benadryl.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Drugs.com|language=en}} Mixing diphenhydramine with alcohol can also increase the chances of losing consciousness due to sedation.{{cite news |last1=Kandola |first1=Aaron |title=Benadryl and alcohol: 10 dangers of mixing |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321078 |work=Medical News Today |date=28 February 2018 |url-access=subscription }} This combination can also lead to impaired motor skills and decreased alertness. Driving, operating machinery or any other activities that require full concentration and consciousness are not recommended as these effects persist.{{Cite web|title=Drugs & Medications|url=https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5680/benadryl-oral/details|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.webmd.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) - Side Effects, Interactions, Uses, Dosage, Warnings |url=https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/benadryl/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Everyday Health}}

Benadryl may interact with other medications such as anti-depressants, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants and other antihistamines.{{Cite web|title=Benadryl (Diphenhydramine): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning|url=https://www.rxlist.com/benadryl-drug.htm|access-date=2020-11-14|website=RxList|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Benadryl: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects|url=https://www.drugs.com/benadryl.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Drugs.com|language=en}} It is important to check with a professional before taking Benadryl with any other medications, vitamins and herbal products.

In 1943, diphenhydramine was discovered by chemist George Rieveschl and one of his students, Fred Huber, while they were conducting research into muscle relaxants at the University of Cincinnati.{{cite news |last1=Hevesi |first1=Dennis |title=George Rieveschl, 91, Allergy Reliever, Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/business/29rieveschl.html |work=The New York Times |date=29 September 2007 }} Huber first synthesized diphenhydramine. Rieveschl then worked with Parke-Davis to test the compound, and the company licensed the patent from him.{{cite book |last=Sneader |first=Walter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cb6BOkj9fK4C&pg=PA405 |title=Drug Discovery: A History |date=23 June 2005 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-471-89979-2 |page=405}}

In 1946, Benadryl was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription use. In 1982 it was approved as an over-the-counter medication.{{cite web |title=Child-Resistant Packaging for Certain Over-The-Counter Drug Products, 65 Fed. Reg. 52678|url=https://casetext.com/federal-register/child-resistant-packaging-for-certain-over-the-counter-drug-products-1 |website=casetext.com |access-date=17 January 2024}}

Before 2007, Benadryl was marketed by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare (originally Warner–Lambert).{{cite press release |title=Johnson & Johnson Acquisition of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Receives Clearance from U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) |url=https://johnsonandjohnson.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/johnson-johnson-acquisition-pfizer-consumer-healthcare-receives |publisher=Johnson & Johnson |date=12 December 2006 }}{{cite press release |title=Johnson & Johnson Completes Acquisition of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare |url=https://johnsonandjohnson.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/johnson-johnson-completes-acquisition-pfizer-consumer-healthcare |publisher=Johnson & Johnson |date=20 December 2006 }}

On 15 January 2010, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recalled five lots of Benadryl due to the presence of an unusual odor linked to the chemical 2,4,6-tribromoanisole.{{Cite web|title=Five lots of Benadryl, Tylenol added to drug recall - CNN.com|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/16/drug.recall/index.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.cnn.com|language=en}}

In April 2010, over four million packs of Benadryl Children Allergy tablets were recalled{{cite news |title=Children's Benadryl Tablets Recalled |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/business/23drug.html |work=The New York Times |date=23 November 2010 }} after it was revealed that they might contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than specified on the label, as well as inactive ingredients that had not met internal testing requirements.{{Cite web|last=DeNoon|first=Daniel J.|title=Recall of Kids' Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, Benadryl|url=https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20100502/recall-of-kids-tylenol-motrin-zyrtec-benadryl|access-date=2020-11-02|website=WebMD|language=en}}

In 2010, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported over one hundred cases of mistaken ingestion by mouth, the packaging of Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel was redesigned to include a new warning ("for skin use only"), and a sticker{{clarify|date=January 2021}} was added as an additional precaution.{{cite news |title=FDA: Serious Side Effects From Swallowing Benadryl Gel |url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/fda-serious-side-effects-from-swallowing-benadryl-gel |work=The Wall Street Journal |agency=The Wall Street Journal |date=27 March 2015 }}

Diphenhydramine has a common side effect of drowsiness or sleepiness. Because of these sedative properties, Benadryl is often used as a sleep aid in people with insomnia. A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry discovered that approximately one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 80 occasionally use over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl to help with sleep. In 2017, American Academy of Sleep Medicine discouraged the use of over-the-counter antihistamines as a sleep aid in treating chronic insomnia.{{Cite web|last=Publishing|first=Harvard Health|title=Drugstore sleep aids may bring more risks than benefits|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/drugstore-sleep-aids-may-bring-more-risks-than-benefits|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Harvard Health|date=December 2018}} The usage of antihistamines as a sleep aid could cause sleepiness during the day, grogginess and falls.

{{Main articles|Benadryl challenge}}

In May 2020, the Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX reported that 3 teenagers had been hospitalized as a result of diphenhydramine overdose. They claimed that the teenagers had gotten information on how to abuse Benadryl from the social media app TikTok.{{Cite web|title=Cook Children's says it treated three teens for Benadryl overdoses in May following TikTok challenge|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/cook-childrens-treats-three-teens-for-benadryl-overdose-following-tik-tok-challenge/287-c06507ec-8357-4f3f-878a-394c0e567e9d|access-date=2021-01-28|website=wfaa.com|date=July 15, 2020|language=en-US}} That August, an Oklahoma teen reportedly died from a Benadryl overdose. After a later-deleted Facebook post by the teen's family member claimed that the death was the result of a "Benadryl challenge," news outlets reported on the dangers of the supposed social media trend.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-28|title=Dangerous 'Benadryl Challenge' on Tik Tok may be to blame for the death of Oklahoma teen|url=https://kfor.com/news/local/dangerous-benadryl-challenge-on-tik-tok-blamed-for-the-death-of-oklahoma-teen/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=KFOR.com Oklahoma City|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Forster|first=Victoria|title=Teen Dies After Doing TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge' As Doctors Warn Of Dangers|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2020/09/02/teen-dies-after-doing--tiktok-benadryl-challengeas-doctors-warn-of-dangers/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Forbes|language=en}} This prompted the FDA to release a statement on the dangers of high doses of diphenhydramine.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 2020|title=FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-about-serious-problems-high-doses-allergy-medicine-diphenhydramine-benadryl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924214931/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-about-serious-problems-high-doses-allergy-medicine-diphenhydramine-benadryl |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=|website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}

Benadryl is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug in most countries. Benadryl can be found in several countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Benadryl comes in oral tablets and oral liquid to be taken by mouth. Some types of Benadryl such as Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream and gels are meant to be applied to the skin, not to be ingested.

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• {{Official website|https://www.benadryl.com/ }}

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Category:Drugs developed by Johnson & Johnson

Category:H1 receptor antagonists

Category:Products introduced in 1946

Category:Antihistamines