Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

Benadryl is a brand-name, over-the-counter (OTC) drug. It belongs to a drug class called antihistamines.

Because Benadryl is available over the counter, your doctor does not need to provide a prescription for it. However, they may advise that you take Benadryl to ease symptoms of certain conditions.

Below are conditions and symptoms that doctors may recommend Benadryl to manage in adults and certain children.

For details about these conditions and how the drug treats them, see the “Benadryl: Uses” section below.

The following table provides information about available Benadryl products.

Note: Benadryl is not currently available as a topical lotion. Your doctor can recommend whether any lotions may help ease your symptoms.

If you have questions about the condition you’re taking Benadryl to treat, you may want to talk with a doctor. Search here to find a healthcare professional near you.

Benadryl is a brand-name medication. It contains the active drug diphenhydramine, which also comes in a generic form. A generic is an identical copy of the active drug found in a brand-name medication.

Generic drugs are considered as safe and effective as their original drug. Generics tend to be less expensive than brand-name drugs.

If you’d like to know about using the generic version of Benadryl, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you if the generic medication comes in forms and strengths recommended for your condition.

Below, you’ll find recommended dosages of Benadryl. You can also find dosage instructions for this drug on its product label. It’s important that you take the drug exactly as instructed.

Benadryl is available as follows. Some forms of Benadryl contain the active ingredient diphenhydramine. Other forms of Benadryl contains two active ingredients: diphenhydramine and zinc acetate.

• Forms:
  • oral capsules
  • oral tablets
  • chewable oral tablets
  • oral solution
  • topical spray
  • stick that contains a topical liquid
  • topical cream
  • topical gel
• Strengths:
  • oral capsules: 25 milligrams (mg) diphenhydramine
  • oral tablets: 25 mg diphenhydramine
  • chewable oral tablets: 12.5 mg diphenhydramine
  • oral solution: 12.5 mg diphenhydramine per 5 milliliters (mL) of solution
  • topical spray: 2% diphenhydramine/0.1% zinc acetate
  • topical stick: 2% diphenhydramine/0.1% zinc acetate
  • topical cream: 2% diphenhydramine/0.1% zinc acetate
  • topical gel: 2% diphenhydramine

Note: Benadryl is not currently available as a topical lotion. Your doctor can recommend whether any lotions may help ease your symptoms.

Recommended dosages of Benadryl to ease allergy symptoms in adults and children are described below.

Benadryl’s recommended dosage for allergies in adults is as follows.

• Forms: oral capsules, oral tablets, and chewable tablets
• Dose: 25 mg to 50 mg
• Frequency: every 4 to 6 hours

Benadryl’s recommended dosages for allergies in children are as follows. For this purpose, doctors may recommend Benadryl oral capsules, oral tablets, chewable tablets, or oral solution. This will depend on your child’s age and the form your child is able to take.

Recommended dosages of Benadryl to ease cold symptoms in adults and children are described below.

Benadryl’s recommended dosage for colds in adults is as follows.

• Forms: oral capsules and oral tablets
• Dose: 25 mg to 50 mg
• Frequency: every 4 to 6 hours

Benadryl’s recommended dosages for colds in children are as follows. For this purpose, doctors may recommend Benadryl oral capsules or oral tablets. This will depend on the form your child is able to take.

Benadryl can be used to ease symptoms that occur after exposure to poisonous plants, such as poison ivy. Recommended dosages of Benadryl when used for this purpose in adults and children are described below.

Benadryl’s recommended dosage for reactions to poisonous plants in adults is as follows.

• Forms: topical spray, stick, cream, or gel
• Dose: apply amount needed to the affected area
• Frequency: three to four times daily

Benadryl’s recommended dosages for reactions to poisonous plants in children are as follows. For this purpose, doctors may recommend Benadryl topical spray, stick, cream, or gel.

Benadryl can be used to ease symptoms related to hives, bug bites, minor burns, or skin problems such as rash, cuts, or scrapes. Recommended dosages of Benadryl when used for this purpose in adults and children are described below.

Benadryl’s recommended dosage for hives, bug bites, and other causes of skin irritation in adults is as follows.

• Forms: topical spray, stick, cream, or gel
• Dose: apply amount needed to the affected area
• Frequency: three to four times daily

Benadryl’s recommended dosages for hives, bug bites, and other causes of skin irritation in children are as follows. For this purpose, doctors may recommend Benadryl topical spray, stick, cream, or gel.

Below are some things to consider about Benadryl’s dosage.

• Missing a dose. This drug is commonly taken only when needed to ease certain symptoms. Do not take extra doses or two doses at the same time if you miss a dose that you meant to take. Try these reminder apps to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or use a timer.
• Length of treatment. Doctors typically don’t recommend taking Benadryl as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually advise taking it for a short time to ease symptoms of certain conditions.
• Is there a recommended Benadryl dosage for babies? In certain cases,Benadryl may be used in children younger than 2 years of age. That said, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medication to children younger than 2 years of age. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend if it’s safe to do so, and they’ll advise the dosage that’s best.

Here are some common questions about Benadryl and brief answers to them. If you’d like to know more about these topics, ask your doctor.

No, Benadryl doesn’t come in a nondrowsy form. In fact, drowsiness is a very common side effect of the drug.

Benadryl belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. Certain other antihistamines typically cause less drowsiness than Benadryl does. Examples include loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra).

If you have bothersome drowsiness with Benadryl, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise whether a different antihistamine can be used to ease the symptoms of your condition. If so, your doctor can suggest which antihistamine you should use.

It’s possible. Sleepiness is a very common side effect of Benadryl.

Benadryl belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. Antihistamines typically fall into one of three categories: first-generation, second-generation, or third-generation antihistamines.

Of these, first-generation antihistamines typically cause the most sleepiness. And Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine.

If you have sleepiness with Benadryl that’s extreme or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether an antihistamine other than Benadryl may ease the symptoms of your condition. Your doctor can advise which antihistamine may be right for you.

Benadryl isn’t typically used for nausea, cough, or migraine. Your doctor can suggest the best ways to manage these conditions.

However, Benadryl may be used for bee stings. Doctors typically recommend Benadryl to ease symptoms such as pain and itching. These symptoms are possible with a mild reaction to a bee sting. If you have these symptoms with a bee sting, your doctor may suggest you use Benadryl to ease them.

No, Benadryl isn’t used to treat anxiety.

However, a different antihistamine called hydroxyzine (Vistaril) is approved to treat anxiety. (Benadryl is also an antihistamine.)

If you have anxiety, talk with your doctor. They can advise whether hydroxyzine or a different treatment could be used for your condition.

Yes, certain side effects are possible after using Benadryl long term.

For example, long-term use of Benadryl may cause:

• an increased risk of dementia
• withdrawal symptoms after the drug is stopped*

However, keep in mind that doctors typically don’t recommend taking Benadryl as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually advise taking it for a short time to ease symptoms of certain conditions.

If you find you need to take Benadryl often, talk with your doctor. They may suggest other treatments for your condition.

* For details, see “Does stopping Benadryl cause withdrawal symptoms?” directly below.

Possibly, but it isn’t known for sure.

There has been at least one report Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source of withdrawal symptoms after long-term use of Benadryl. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen after you suddenly stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on.)

Below are a few withdrawal symptoms that were reported after stopping Benadryl:

• rapid heartbeat
• sweating
• increased saliva production
• dilated pupils

Keep in mind that doctors typically don’t recommend taking Benadryl as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually advise taking it for a short time to ease symptoms of certain conditions. Withdrawal symptoms aren’t likely to happen with short-term use of Benadryl.

If you’re taking Benadryl long term, talk with your doctor. They can suggest other treatments for your condition.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as Benadryl, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications are approved for self-treatment of certain conditions. Because Benadryl is available over the counter, your doctor does not need to provide a prescription for it.

Benadryl is used to temporarily ease certain symptoms of allergies. It’s recommended for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

With allergies, your immune system reacts to a substance such as pollen or dust. This can lead to symptoms that affect your airways, sinuses, or skin.

Doctors may recommend Benadryl to ease the following allergy symptoms:

• sneezing
• runny nose
• watery eyes
• itchy eyes, nose, or throat

Benadryl is used to temporarily ease certain cold symptoms. It’s recommended for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

A cold is a type of upper respiratory infection. It can occur any time of year but is most common during the winter months.

Doctors may recommend Benadryl to ease cold symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose.

Benadryl is used to temporarily ease symptoms that occur after exposure to poisonous plants. These include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

It’s recommended for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

The leaves of a poisonous plant may cause an allergic reaction in some people. This can happen after direct contact with the plant, such as brushing against its leaves. Or this may happen after indirect contact, such as touching a piece of clothing that brushed against the plant.

Doctors may recommend Benadryl to ease the following symptoms after exposure to a poisonous plant:

• pain
• itching
• skin rash
• oozing or weeping from blisters

Benadryl is used to temporarily ease certain symptoms of the conditions listed below:

• hives
• bug bites
• minor burns, including sunburn
• minor skin problems, such as rash, cuts, or scrapes

It’s recommended for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

In these cases, doctors may recommend Benadryl to ease symptoms such as pain or itching.

Benadryl products that may be used in children are described in the table below.

Some forms of Benadryl are not recommended for use in children younger than 2 years of age. Other forms of the drug may be OK if the child’s doctor specifically recommends using them.

Talk with your child’s doctor about the best treatment option for the condition and symptoms your child is experiencing.

If you have questions about the condition you’re taking Benadryl treat, you may want to talk with a doctor. Search here to find a healthcare professional near you.

You can prepare for your appointment by using Healthgrades’ appointment guide for the conditions below:

• allergies
• colds
• hives
• rash

As with most drugs, it’s possible to have side effects with Benadryl. These can include mild side effects and some serious ones.

To learn more about Benadryl’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may provide information about managing certain side effects of this drug.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Benadryl, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild and serious side effects of Benadryl are listed in the table below. This table does not include all of Benadryl’s possible side effects.

* This is not a complete list of Benadryl’s mild side effects. To learn about other mild side effects of this drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or you can view the drug’s prescribing information, which is found in the references section at the end of this article.

Most times, mild side effects of a drug go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects become severe or don’t go away.

Serious side effects from Benadryl aren’t common, but they are possible. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor right away. However, if you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Note: Side effects may differ depending on the form of Benadryl used. For example, topical forms, such as gel or cream, likely won’t cause heart problems or seizures. This is because these forms of Benadryl are applied directly to the skin and aren’t absorbed by your entire body.

Benadryl is used to treat allergies and other conditions. Other over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may be available for your condition. Certain OTC drugs may work better for you than others.

Here’s a summary of other drugs that doctors sometimes recommend for treating allergies.

Your doctor can tell you about other similar drugs. These include:

• loratadine (Claritin)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• doxylamine (Unisom)

To learn more about alternatives to Benadryl, ask your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that could be taken for your condition.

Serious effects can occur if you use more than the recommended dosage of Benadryl. Do not use more Benadryl than the drug’s label or your doctor recommends. 

An overdose could cause symptoms including:

• dry mouth
• blurry vision
• rapid heartbeat
• constipation
• confusion
• seizures
• hallucinations

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

It may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Benadryl.

This is because alcohol and Benadryl can cause some of the same side effects. Consuming alcohol and using Benadryl at the same time could worsen these side effects. Examples include:

• sleepiness
• dizziness
• headache
• confusion or impaired thinking

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. They can suggest a treatment other than Benadryl for your condition.

While Benadryl is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, no drug can be considered 100% safe in pregnancy. Your trimester of pregnancy will also affect which over-the-counter (OTC) drugs you can safely take.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications.

It’s likely safe to occasionally take Benadryl while breastfeeding. However, the drug may cause sleepiness in a breastfed child. Benadryl could also cause you to produce less breast milk than usual.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter drugs. 

Here’s some information about Benadryl’s expiration date, as well as how to store and dispose of the drug.

• Expiration. An expiration date will be printed on the label on Benadryl’s packaging. Expiration dates help ensure that a medication is effective during a period of time. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source that you avoid using expired drugs. If you have an unused medication and it’s past the drug’s expiration date, talk with your pharmacist. They can let you know whether you might still be able to use the medication.
• Storage. Many factors determine how long a medication remains good to use. These factors include how and where you store the drug. Benadryl should be stored at room temperature. (Room temperature is generally about 68°F to 77°F [20°C to 25°C].) Avoid storing the drug in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.
• Disposal. It’s important to safely dispose of Benadryl if you no longer need to take it and have unused medication. Doing so helps prevent others, including children and pets, from accidentally taking the drug. It also helps avoid causing harm to the environment. Ask your pharmacist for information about disposing of Benadryl. Also, check out this page for several tips on safe medication disposal.

The manufacturer of Benadryl hasn’t reported any interactions with other medications, supplements, or foods. However, this doesn’t mean that interactions can’t happen with Benadryl.

Different interactions can cause different effects. Some interactions can interfere with a drug’s effectiveness. Others can increase a drug’s side effects or cause them to be severe. For example, other medications that cause sleepiness could worsen sleepiness as a side effect of Benadryl. An example is the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft).

If you take any other medications, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. They can tell you if you need to do anything to avoid a possible interaction.

Benadryl comes in several forms as follows:

• oral capsule, tablet, and solution that you take by swallowing
• chewable tablet that you take by chewing and then swallowing
• topical spray, stick, cream, and gel that you apply to the affected area

You’ll find directions for using each form of Benadryl on its product label. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how you should take Benadryl.

It’s important that you take the drug exactly as instructed.

Here’s a list of common questions related to taking Benadryl.

• Do I need to take Benadryl with food? You can take Benadryl with food or without it.
• Can Benadryl be chewed, split, or crushed? You should not split or crush Benadryl oral capsules. The drug’s manufacturer hasn’t stated whether it’s OK to chew them. The manufacturer of Benadryl hasn’t stated whether the oral tablets can be chewed, split, or crushed. If you have trouble swallowing Benadryl capsules or tablets, talk with your doctor. They may suggest you use a different form of Benadryl, such as the oral solution or chewable tablets.
• Is there a best time of day to take Benadryl? There isn’t a best time of day to take Benadryl. However, keep in mind that the drug can cause sleepiness as a side effect. For this reason, it may be best to take Benadryl at a time when you don’t need to be awake. So, you may wish to take it at bedtime.

Like other medications, prices for Benadryl may vary. The drug’s price will depend on factors such as:

• the pharmacy or store where you purchase the drug
• your insurance coverage

Here’s a list of things to consider when looking into the cost of Benadryl.

• Receiving a prescription. Some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs cost less if a doctor prescribes them and a pharmacy charges for them through insurance. Insurance companies are required to fully cover certain OTC medications. To find out if your insurance covers Benadryl with a prescription, contact your insurance company.
• Using an HSA or FSA account. If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) through your insurance, you can use this account to cover purchases of OTC medications. If you’d like to learn more about this option, contact your insurance company.
• Availability of a generic form. Benadryl comes in a generic form called diphenhydramine. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. If your doctor recommends Benadryl but you want to know about using diphenhydramine, talk with them about which option might be better for you. If your doctor writes a prescription for the drug, check your insurance plan because it might cover just one form or the other.

Doctors may recommend Benadryl to ease symptoms of certain conditions, such as allergies or colds. To learn more about the uses of Benadryl, see “Benadryl: Uses” above.

Benadryl belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. It works by blocking the activity of a chemical called histamine. When histamine is released in your body, it causes symptoms such as itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. By blocking histamine, Benadryl works to ease the symptoms histamine causes.

Benadryl starts working right after you use it. However, it may take up to 30 minutes for your symptoms to ease. 

It may be best to avoid taking Benadryl if you have certain factors affecting your health or specific medical conditions. These factors and conditions include those listed below. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Benadryl if anything listed below pertains to you.

• Urinary retention. If you have urinary retention, talk with your doctor before using Benadryl. The drug could worsen this condition. Your doctor can advise whether Benadryl is safe for you to use.
• Glaucoma. Benadryl may worsen glaucoma in people who have this condition. If you have glaucoma, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. They can tell you if Benadryl is a safe treatment option for you.
• Allergic reaction. Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take Benadryl if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. To find out about other treatment options, talk with your doctor.
• Pregnancy. It’s likely safe to take Benadryl during pregnancy. If you’d like to learn more about taking Benadryl while pregnant, view the “Benadryl: Taking while pregnant” section above.
• Breastfeeding. Taking Benadryl while breastfeeding may cause side effects in a breastfed child. If you’d like more information about taking Benadryl while breastfeeding, view the “Benadryl: Taking while breastfeeding” section above.

To learn more about side effects of Benadryl that could be harmful, see the “Benadryl: Side effects” section above.

If you have questions about Benadryl, talk with your doctor. They can advise on whether Benadryl could be a good treatment option for you.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How is Benadryl different from other medications that can treat my condition?
• Am I taking any medications that increase my risk of side effects with Benadryl?
• Can I use more than one Benadryl product at the same time?

Your doctor may also tell you about other treatment options for your condition. You may find this article helpful in learning about alternative drugs for allergies.

Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.