Benadryl Allergy Side Effects

Generic Name: diphenhydramine

Please note - some side effects for Benadryl Allergy may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Benadryl Allergy - for the Consumer

Benadryl Allergy/Cold

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy/Cold:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating or inability to urinate; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mood or mental changes; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; stomach pain; tremor; trouble sleeping; vision changes; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Benadryl Allergy Ultratabs

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy Ultratabs:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, and nose; excitability; thickening of mucus in nose or throat.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); convulsions; fast heartbeat or pounding in the chest; decreased alertness; hallucinations; tremor; wheezing.

Benadryl Allergy Chewable Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy Chewable Tablets:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, and nose; thickening of mucus in nose or throat.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); convulsions; decreased alertness; excitability; fast heartbeat; hallucinations; tightness or pounding in the chest; tremor; wheezing.

Benadryl Allergy Fastmelt Dispersible Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy Fastmelt Dispersible Tablets:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, and nose; excitability; thickening of mucus in nose or throat.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); convulsions; fast heartbeat or pounding in the chest; decreased alertness; hallucinations; tremor; wheezing.

Benadryl Allergy Elixir

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy Elixir:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, and nose; excitability; thickening of mucus in nose or throat.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); convulsions; fast heartbeat or pounding in the chest; decreased alertness; hallucinations; tremor; wheezing.

Benadryl Allergy and Sinus Liquid Liquid

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Benadryl Allergy and Sinus Liquid Liquid:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, and throat; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; mood or mental changes; persistent trouble sleeping; restlessness; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; tremor; trouble urinating or inability to urinate; unusual bruising or bleeding.

Side Effects by Body System

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have been reported frequently. These have included depression with drowsiness and sedation in nearly all patients treated. Motor skills may be impaired. Dystonic reactions have been reported after single doses of diphenhydramine.

The CNS depressant effect of diphenhydramine parallels its plasma concentrations. The plasma concentration threshold for sedation is 30 to 42 ng/mL, and to cause mental impairment is 58 to 74 ng/mL. Patients should be warned against driving while taking diphenhydramine.

Dystonic reactions have been accompanied by dizziness, mental confusion, rigidity, lip and tongue protrusion, trismus, torticollis, and swallowing difficulties and generally resolve spontaneously. Toxic encephalopathy has been reported in a child with chicken pox treated generously with topical diphenhydramine.

Delirium has been reported in elderly patients with mild dementia following a small oral dose of diphenhydramine.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rash, pruritus and eczema. Photosensitivity reactions have also been reported.

Most commonly, hypersensitivity has manifested itself in patients receiving systemic drug after being sensitized to it by topical application. Sensitization with systemic administration has also been reported.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have been usually mild and included nausea and dry mouth.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension, tachycardia, and palpitations.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included blurred vision, diplopia, and dry eyes due to anticholinergic effects.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included urinary retention and dysuria as a result of the anticholinergic effects of diphenhydramine.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects such as hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis have been rarely caused by antihistamines.

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