Ask your health care provider what type of antihistamine and what exact dosage is right for you or your child. Make sure you understand how much to use and how many times a day to use it.
Be sure to read the label carefully. Or ask your pharmacist if you have questions. Ask your provider if antihistamines are safe for you or your child, what side effects to watch for, and how antihistamines may affect other medicines you or your child take. Allergic rhinitis - antihistamine; Hives - antihistamine; Allergic conjunctivitis - antihistamine; Urticaria - antihistamine; Dermatitis - antihistamine; Eczema - antihistamine.
Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. PMID: pubmed. Pharmacologic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: synopsis of guidance from the joint task force on practice parameters.
Ann Intern Med. Updated by: David C. Editorial team. Antihistamines for allergies. One type of medicine that helps relieve allergy symptoms is an antihistamine.
While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.
As an anticholinergic drug, Benadryl may worsen certain conditions or lead to serious complications. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking Benadryl if you have any of the following conditions that can make taking Benadryl risky or prohibit its use:.
Research has found a link between anticholinergics, including first-generation antihistamines, and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a family history of Alzheimers or dementia or if you plan to take Benadryl frequently. Your may want to switch to a second-generation antihistamines that are not known to have this link. There are also medical conditions that can make taking antihistamines risky or even prohibit their use.
This includes:. Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion tablets and Children's Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion are combination products with both diphenhydramine and the decongestant phenylephrine. Do not take these formulations if you are allergic to phenylephrine or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI within the last two weeks. Phenylephrine can also be risky for people with certain conditions, such as diabetes , so always consult your healthcare provider before taking a combination product.
Decongestants should not be taken for more than a few days at a time; if taken long-term, they can paradoxically lead to worsened nasal symptoms. In addition to diphenhydramine, other OTC first-generation antihistamines used for allergies and cold symptoms include:. Vistaril hydroxyzine is a prescription first-generation antihistamine that is prescribed for itchy skin due to chronic hives or skin reactions or anxiety. If antihistamines of any kind are not effective in managing allergies or hives or you are unable to tolerate or take them, your healthcare provider may have you try other types of allergy medications, such as Singulair montelukast that targets molecules called leukotrienes that contribute to mucus and inflammation.
To treat chronic hives that are refractory to antihistamines, allergists can also prescribe Xolair omalizumab injections that target immunoglobulin E IgE antibodies.
Another more long-term option is immunotherapy allergy shots or tablets , which exposes you to small amounts of allergens to allow your body to tolerate them over time. Benadryl is short-acting and taken every four to six hours with no more than six doses taken within 24 hours.
It comes in 25 milligram mg tablets, 25 mg liquid-filled gel capsules, Do not give oral Benadryl to children under age 6 unless directed to do so by a pediatrician. Topical Benadryl can be applied as a thin coat to skin up to four times a day and for no longer than seven days. Your healthcare provider may recommend a lower starting dose of Benadryl if you have liver or kidney impairment since you may not clear antihistamines efficiently, which puts you at an increased risk of toxicity.
Benadryl can be taken with or without food. The drug usually starts to work within an hour. Store tablets and liquid solution at room temperature that's ideally 68 to 77 degrees F. Store capsules at 59 to 77 degrees F.
Keeping it away from heat and direct light. As with all medications, keep it out of reach of children. If you take more than the recommended dose or have any signs of overdose, such as severe sedation or blurry vision, seek urgent medical care. If topical Benadryl is swallowed, seek urgent medical care, or call poison control.
Benadryl is typically well tolerated, but does carry the risk of serious side effects. Most side effects are mild and usually resolve within a few hours. Common side effects include:. If you experience any of the following side effects while taking Benadryl, seek urgent medical attention:. Benadryl can impair your ability to function and should never be used if you are planning to drive. Many state laws will charge you with a DUI driving under the influence if you are deemed to have been impaired by Benadryl.
You should never drink alcohol when taking Benadryl, as this can worsen side effects like drowsiness and decreased alertness, and become dangerous or life-threatening. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Subscribers only Sign in or Subscribe now! Forgot password? Check this box if you wish to have a copy mailed to you. Find Ratings Pharmacies. Is it OK to take Benadryl every day to treat my allergies?
Editor's Note: These materials were made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by a multistate settlement of consumer fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin gabapentin.
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