Diphenadryl
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Generic Name: diphenhydramine
(DYE fen HYE dra meen)
What is Diphenadryl?
Diphenadryl is an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body.
Diphenadryl is used to treat sneezing; runny nose; itching, watery eyes; hives; rashes; itching; and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.
Diphenadryl is also used to suppress coughs, to treat motion sickness, to induce sleep, and to treat mild forms of Parkinson's disease.
Diphenadryl may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Diphenadryl?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diphenadryl may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Diphenadryl.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Diphenadryl?
Do not take Diphenadryl 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
You may not be able to take Diphenadryl, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Diphenadryl 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 Diphenadryl 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 Diphenadryl. You may require a lower dose of this medication.
How should I take Diphenadryl?
Take Diphenadryl exactly as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Diphenadryl can be taken with or without food.
For motion sickness, a dose is usually taken 30 minutes before motion, then with meals and at bedtime for the duration of exposure.
As a sleep aid, Diphenadryl should be taken approximately 30 minutes before bedtime.
To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of Diphenadryl with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. The maximum amount of Diphenadryl that you should take in any 24-hour period is 300 mg.
Store Diphenadryl at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a Diphenadryl overdose include extreme sleepiness, confusion, weakness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, large pupils, dry mouth, flushing, fever, shaking, insomnia, hallucinations, and possibly seizures.
What should I avoid while taking Diphenadryl?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diphenadryl may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Diphenadryl.
What are the possible side effects of Diphenadryl?
Stop taking Diphenadryl and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Diphenadryl and talk to your doctor if you experience
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Diphenadryl?
Do not take Diphenadryl 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.
Talk to your pharmacist before taking other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications. These products may contain medicines similar to Diphenadryl, which could lead to an antihistamine overdose.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- anxiety or sleep medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion)
- medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil); or
- any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Diphenadryl. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Diphenadryl.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 04/02/2009.
