Benadryl Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Benadryl Capsule contains diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used to relieve cold and allergy symptoms, hives and itching, motion sickness, occasional sleeplessness, and certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical the body releases that causes swelling, itching, and a runny nose. It comes in several forms and strengths, and dosing depends on age. As with any medicine, it carries possible side effects and precautions that should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

What is Benadryl Capsule

Benadryl is an antihistamine medicine that reduces the effects of a natural chemical called histamine in the body. It comes in several forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid, and skin products.

Benadryl Capsule uses

• Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and other cold or allergy symptoms
• Hives, skin rash, and itching
• Motion sickness (prevention and treatment)
• Helping you fall asleep
• Certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Benefits of Benadryl Capsule

• Reduces sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose caused by allergies or colds
• Can help relieve hives and itchy skin
• Can help prevent and reduce motion sickness symptoms
• May help you fall asleep for occasional sleeplessness

How Benadryl Capsule works

Benadryl blocks the action of histamine, a chemical your body releases during allergic reactions or colds that causes swelling, itching, and a runny nose. By blocking histamine, it reduces these symptoms.

Benadryl Capsule dosage

Take exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor; do not take more or less than recommended or for longer than needed. Cold or allergy symptoms are usually treated only for a short time until they clear up. For motion sickness, take before you will be in a situation that causes motion sickness, and continue taking with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the trip. As a sleep aid, take shortly before bedtime.

If using liquid medicine, measure it with a dosing syringe, dose-measuring spoon, or medicine cup rather than a household spoon. It can be taken with or without food. Tablets can be crushed if needed; liquid solution and chewable tablets are available for those who have trouble swallowing.

Do not give to a child younger than 2 years old; always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Do not use to make a child sleepy. People 65 years and older may need a smaller dose and may have a stronger reaction.

Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days, or if you have a fever with headache, cough, or skin rash.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablets
• Oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
• Oral chewable tablets
• Oral liquid solution
• Topical cream
• Topical gel
• Topical spray
• Topical stick
• Injection (prescription)

Side effects of Benadryl Capsule

Common

• Dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat
• Constipation, upset stomach
• Dry eyes, blurred vision
• Day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use
• Excitability, especially in children
• Headache
• Body weakness

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest
• Painful or difficult urination, or little or no urinating
• Confusion, feeling like you might pass out
• Tightness in your neck or jaw, uncontrollable movements of your tongue
• Decreased memory, impaired thinking, dementia
• Fast heart rate
• Seizures

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy.
• Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child, since death can occur from misuse of these medicines in very young children.
• Do not use Benadryl together with any other product that also contains diphenhydramine, even skin products, since combining them can cause you to get too much of this medicine.
• Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
• Taking Benadryl long-term, especially in older adults, may increase the risk of dementia; use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.
• This medicine can be abused; keep it in a safe place.
• It is not known whether Benadryl will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
• Diphenhydramine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. It may also slow breast milk production, so ask a doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have liver or kidney disease.
• Use alcohol cautiously, since it may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benadryl.
• Use caution driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities, since this medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets. This medication can be abused. Keep your medication in a safe place.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using Benadryl and call your doctor right away if you have pounding or fluttering heartbeats, painful or difficult urination, little or no urinating, confusion, feeling like you might pass out, or tightness in your neck or jaw with uncontrollable tongue movements.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away.
• Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as decreased memory, impaired thinking, dementia, confusion, fast heart rate, or seizures; call for emergency help if symptoms feel life threatening.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever along with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

Alternatives

• Chlorpheniramine
• Levocetirizine
• Fexofenadine
• Loratadine
• Cetirizine