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Acetaminophen / diphenhydramine and Depression: What Users Say

Brand names: Tylenol PM, Headache Relief PM, Midol PM, Percogesic Extra Strength, Pain Reliever PM, Percogesic Original Strength, Excedrin PM, Bayer Select Max Strength Night Time Pain, ConRx PM, Acetadryl, Night Time Pain, Unisom PM Pain, Genapap PM, Mapap PM, Counteract PM Extra Strength, Wal-Nadol PM Extra Strength, Headache Formula PM, Legatrin PM, Tylenol Sore Throat Nighttime, Pharbetol PM, Non-Aspirin PM Extra Strength Acetaminophen PM Extra Strength Robitussin Honey Severe Cough, Flu + Sore Throat CF Max Nighttime Anacin PM Aspirin Free …show all brand names

Depression: mentioned by 3 users (4.3%)

Based on user experiences from 70 Acetaminophen / diphenhydramine reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

drowsiness 12.9%
anxiety 10.0%
depression 4.3%
dry mouth 4.3%
headaches 4.3%
insomnia 4.3%
sleepy 4.3%

Reviews for Acetaminophen / diphenhydramine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Hel...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 15, 2021

For Pain "Initially started taking Tylenol PM for ongoing knee and foot pain (I’m a dancer) 6 months ago. Very quickly became a nightly ritual to take one (occasionally 2) and fall asleep within 20 mins and stay asleep for 8+ hrs. The downside - blurred vision (especially in the morning), troubling memory loss (my kids were growing concerned about me not remembering conversations), anxiety and depression (bursting into tears frequently and for no reason). I went ‘cold turkey’ 6 days ago and am already starting to feel better after a couple of sleepless nights. I will NEVER touch this stuff again. It’s easy to see how this drug has been linked to dementia. Please don’t be tempted to use it."

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 8, 2025

For Insomnia "Started taking Tylenol PM for both pain and insomnia since it should help with both, but mainly for insomnia. Woke up multiple times feeling anxious and nervous with bad thoughts. At one point it got so bad that I couldn't sleep even after taking it. I felt like I was having a heart attack and was convinced I was going to die that night. I went to the hospital and they couldn't find anything wrong. I stopped the Tylenol PM only because I ran out. My sleep, mood, and anxiety improved. Over a month later, I was sick and had trouble sleeping and took some again for a few nights. It did the same thing. I stopped and it got better. A couple of months later I tried melatonin gummies. They also gave me anxiety and feelings of depression to the point where I considered ending my marriage and cut ties with several friends. My sleep got worse. I looked it up and that's when I discovered that both of those medications can have those side effects."

1 / 10
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0 Report
  • Ins...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 18, 2020

For Insomnia "It made me very down, to be honest, but still, I tossed and turned for hours before I eventually got about 2 hours of sleep."

5 / 10
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20 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.