Dizziness, low blood pressure, a headache, rapid heartbeat, disturbed coordination, abdominal discomfort and a thickening of mucus in the airways may also occur. These products can help reduce nasal congestion and stuffiness and may also help reduce sinus pressure or pain. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Benadryl. Revision date: December 28, 2019. Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant that can cause sleepiness in some people who take it. Both Benadryl and Claritin are over-the-counter medications. Remove any fall hazards in your home (such as rugs) and talk to your doctor if you are experiencing severe dizziness every time you stand up. Is it a cold or is it allergies? It is not known if Benadryl is safe and effective in children younger than 2 years of age. Stand up slowly when going from a sitting or lying down position. Zyrtec is also available in many different forms, including: Zyrtec products are usually taken once daily. Zyrtec and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred. Some are oral (taken by mouth), and others are topical (applied to the skin). When using for motion sickness, take Benadryl 30 minutes before any exposure to motion. They may recommend other treatment options. This list doesn’t include all possible side effects. For this symptom, newer “second-generation” antihistamines are usually preferred over oral Benadryl. Doing so can lead to overdose and severe symptoms, including abnormal heart rhythms, hallucinations, seizures, and even death in rare cases. If you have symptoms that don’t go away, call your doctor. For instance, one study found that Benadryl caused sleepiness on the first day it was taken. Almond, hemp, oat, soy, and cow's milk: Which is best? For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. However, Benadryl isn’t usually a first-choice treatment for these conditions due to its risk of side effects such as sleepiness. These products include: Oral, over-the-counter Benadryl products are approved to treat some symptoms of the common cold. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical that relays messages between cells in your body. Taking Zoloft with Benadryl may increase the risk of excessive sleepiness. Excessive humidity should be avoided. Some people use diphenhydramine to help them cope with anxiety symptoms. Benadryl is metabolized hepatically. Taking Xanax with Benadryl can increase your risk of excessive sleepiness. Allegra is also available in many different forms, including: Allegra products are taken once or twice daily. Allergies: Benadryl is a brand name for a type of drug known as Diphenhydramine – an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as rashes, itching, and dog eye allergies that can come from seasonal or environmental allergens. Over-the-counter Benadryl products aren’t approved to treat sinus pain. Use these dosage charts for infants and children under 12 years old: prednisone, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, fluticasone nasal, lorazepam, loratadine, ondansetron, hydroxyzine, montelukast, meclizine. There are many different Benadryl-branded products. Benadryl can be taken with or without food. This is because of the risk of side effects such as sleepiness. This was due to tolerance. Benadryl is an antihistamine that can be used to treat allergic reactions, relieve motion sickness, and as a sleep aid, and to relieve some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. First things first—you're probably wondering if over-the-counter medications even work for anxiety? To prevent this possible side effect, Benadryl should be used in the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible. However, an FDA study showed that many medications may still be good beyond the expiration date listed on the bottle. If you get symptoms of motion sickness, talk with your doctor about treatment options before you travel. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends not using Benadryl products to treat eczema. Benadryl and Allegra are both brand-name, over-the-counter products. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used for treating allergic reactions. Examples of the other medications in these groups are listed below. Hydroxyzine is used in the treatment of nervous and emotional conditions to help control anxiety. Some herbs and supplements can cause sleepiness. These products include: Benadryl may be safe for short-term use during pregnancy in some situations. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Benadryl It may help you get to sleep or stay asleep. These effects don’t decrease with continued use of the product. As an example, painful swelling could be considered severe. Claritin usually costs more than Benadryl. Allegra and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred. Bottom Line. For instance, you may have trouble driving. The second-generation antihistamines are often called nonsedating antihistamines because they’re less likely to cause sleepiness compared to first-generation antihistamines. However, Benadryl isn’t usually a first-choice for these conditions because of its risk of side effects such as sleepiness. Your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms to determine the safest treatment. You shouldn’t consume alcohol while taking Benadryl. Below are examples of these side effects. Benadryl may be taken with or without food. It competes with free histamine at the H1-receptor binding sites. 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