Diphenhydramine

Brand Names

Benadryl, Sominex

What is Diphenhydramine

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medicine available both with and wihout prescription. It is available in many different forms and is aimed for different purposes. Diphenhydramine belongs to a group of medications known as antihistamines. It acts at the level of neurotransmitters which are the chemical brain messengers. Diphenhydramine helps the neurotransmitter called histamine to build up in the spaces called synapses that are exist between nerve cells. Diphenhydramine is benefitial in the treatment of sneezing; runny nose; itching; watery eyes; hives; rashes; itching; and other symptoms of allergies. The medication is also effective for treating insomnia.

Side effects of Diphenhydramine

The medicine can cause the following side effects:

• delirium
• diminished coordination or cognitive function
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• increased intraocular pressure
• headache
• stomach discomfort
• thick lung secretions
• dry mouth or nose
• hyperactivity
• constipation
• difficulty urinating
• low blood pressure
• blurry or double vision
• rapid or irregular heart rate
• sensitivity to light
• sweating
• erectile dysfunction

Indication

Diphenhydramine is helpful in the treatment of motion sickness, nausea, coughing and insomnia. Not very often it is aimed to treat the muscle spasms caused by the mild forms of Parkinson's disease as well as the abnormal muscle movements resulted by psychiatric drugs in the phenothiazine family. The medicine is produced in breast milk, so nursing mothers do not have to take it.

Precautions

You should inform your doctor if you have:

• glaucoma
• hyperthyroidism
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• pneumonia, peptic ulcer disease
• prostate enlargement
• bowel
• bladder obstruction

Dosage forms

The dose of this medication should be determined by the doctor.

Usual dose of diphenhydramine:

Regular dosage for the treatment of allergy or common cold symptoms varies from 25 mg to 50 mg every four to six hours.

Diphenhydramine dose for children:

For children ages 6 to 12, the usual dosage is 12.5 mg to 25 mg every 4-5 hours.

The dose of diphenhydramine for insomnia:

The recommended diphenhydramine dosage for insomnia in adults is 50 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Elderly people (or those is sensitive to the effects of the medicine) should decrease the dose.