User Reviews for Diphenhydramine
Also known as: Benadryl, Banophen, Benadryl Allergy, ZzzQuil, Diphen, Unisom SleepGels, Sominex, Diphenhist, Sleepinal, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Nytol, Dormin, Buckley's Bedtime, DPH, Valu-Dryl, Hydramine, Calm-Aid, Help I Can't Sleep, Siladryl Allergy, Pharbedryl, Snooze Fast, Sominex Maximum Strength Caplet, Unisom SleepMinis, Unisom Liquid, ConRx Allergy, Dicopanol, Hyrexin, Hydramine Cough Syrup, Bydramine, Diphedryl, Diphen AF, Diphen Cough, Aler-Dryl, Allergia-C, Benahist-10, Benahist-50, Benoject-50, Diphenadryl, Genahist, Aller-G-Time, Sleep Tab II, Nytol QuickCaps, Trux-adryl, Diphenyl, Altaryl, Beldin, Belix, Vicks QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief, Silphen Cough, Diphenylin, Hydramine Compound, Nytol Caplet, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Allermax Diphendryl Twilite Banaril Aler-Tab Sleep-ettes D Diphenydramine Quick Melt Diphenmax Ben-Tann Dytan Vanamine PD Histaprin Z-Sleep Unisom SleepMelts Simply Sleep Complete Allergy Relief Dytuss Miles Nervine Scot-Tussin Allergy Sleepwell 2-nite …show all brand names
Diphenhydramine has an average rating of 5.6 out of 10 from a total of 454 ratings on Drugs.com. 45% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 40% reported a negative experience.
Condition | Avg. Rating | Reviews | Compare |
---|---|---|---|
Insomnia | 332 reviews | 108 medications | |
Allergic Reactions | 45 reviews | 188 medications | |
Nausea/Vomiting | 30 reviews | 159 medications | |
Allergic Rhinitis | 20 reviews | 900 medications | |
Urticaria | 9 reviews | 189 medications | |
Cough | 6 reviews | 810 medications | |
Cold Symptoms | 5 reviews | 1104 medications | |
Motion Sickness | 3 reviews | 113 medications | |
Pruritus | 3 reviews | 297 medications | |
Extrapyramidal Reaction | 1 reviews | 68 medications | |
Summary of Diphenhydramine reviews | 5.6 | 454 reviews |
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling, or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published.
Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I imagine that a lot of people reading this will have had a similar experience to me. You might not have slept last night, or the night before - and you're frantically looking for a solution to help you sleep. It's a vicious cycle and it's one of the worst feelings. I personally think that Sominex is worth a shot. I cannot go to sleep without something to help me. I only take half a Sominex tablet about an hour before bed. It's just enough to take the edge off, stop that anxiety cycle and allow me to drift off. You can feel it in the morning. Ever so slightly for the first hour or so. But after a coffee and a shower it's gone. This stuff has allowed me to restore a normal sleep cycle and I can actually function well in life and at work now. Stop panicking and relax - you will sleep again. I hope this is helpful to someone.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “My friend recommended these said she had 2 and had the best night sleep ever... I've been struggling getting in to a sleep where I'm not thinking all the time. So thought I would try these... I'm normally in bed by 9 and in the thinking/worrying light sleep. So tonight again before 9 I've taken 2, its now 1am and I'm absolutely wide awake listening to both my husband and my dog in the deepest of sleeps. Both snoring husband grinding his teeth and swinging his legs. I honest can't believe just how awake I am. I have never been like this feel like I need to go out for a night on the town..... I dread the morning when I gotta go to work who knows when I will finally sleep.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I tried Nytol 50mg for the first time to ease insomnia but so far all it has done is keep me wide awake through the night with uncomfortable headache, dry mouth & throat, and leg pains. I should have just taken a chance with the usually three hours sleep. Taking Nytol is such a waste and a horrible experience.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “Nytol.. Where do I begin. If I could give less than 1 I would. By far the worst thing I ever tried. I suffer from mild insomnia. Takes a long time for me to fall asleep and then wake most nights 3-4 times zapping in and out of light sleep. Decided to try these as my mum swears by them. Took an hour before bed as suggested. About 2 hours later, still awake, the restless legs started. Never suffered with this before. It lasted until 4.30am..never have I been so frustrated trying to sleep. Tried again the second night.. WORSE! waste of money don't bother.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I have been using Nytol for 7 days and its has not worked at all. I suffer from chronic insomnia. Apparently this product is clinically proven to help sleep? Really??? I noticed nothing other than a fuzzy head and dry mouth and I have been awake all night the same as usual. Sick of people saying they have something that helps, when it is rubbish. The only thing that has worked for me have been prescription meds.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “It is now 0220 am, having taken a Nytol tablet at 2215. This is the sixth night I have taken one, so I have given it a good go. I started taking them because I wake frequently during the night and have restless legs, but the Nytol has made things worse. Tonight I haven't slept at all.”
Frequently asked questions
- How much Benadryl can I take? What is too much?
- What is the max dose of diphenhydramine for adults?
- Does diphenhydramine raise blood pressure?
- Can diphenhydramine be used as a sleep aid?
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “So awful! I never have an issue going to sleep - I just wake too early. I took these as I had a long journey the next day. I was awake till 3.50am really restless, and buzzing! Felt like I was wired on coffee! Woke feeling exhausted and just terrible! They have the opposite effect - I’m throwing the rest in the bin, and now have to drive for three hours feeling so awful!”
Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I have used Sominex for YEARS and I absolutely love it!!! I am NEVER groggy in the morning. It allows me to sleep, then if I have to go to the bathroom during the night, I am able to go back to sleep. I take it generally every night. When I have spoken to various doctors over the years, they have never seemed concerned about my long term use. Nothing else works quite like it, and it definitely improves my quality of life as I simply cannot function if I don't get enough sleep. I usually have to order it online because it is not always stocked at the stores that I go to. Hope this helps. Sweet Dreams. :)”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I’m nothing if not fair, I tried Nytol twice and on both occasions I actually didn’t sleep at all either night. This is unusual for me, I at least get some sleep but literally on both occasions up all night. Have binned the rest of the pack. Useless product, waste of money, made my condition worse, if I could give a minus rating, I would.”
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Nausea/Vomiting: “I have emtophobia, that is, a pervasive fear of vomiting. I do not know if this affects vomiting, but if I feel nauseous, Benadryl works wonders. My stomach settles right down and my anxiety lowers just enough for me to deal with it without the use of benzodiazepines.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I had been suffering from insomnia and restless legs so the Docor gave me a weeks course of sleeping tablets, which obviously worked brilliantly. When they were gone I went back to no sleep all night once again, so tried Nytol as a last resort. I have taken two an hour before I want to sleep, for two days now and they have absolutely done the trick, I'm surprised to be honest because most of the reviews are so poor! They make me feel relaxed then before I know it I'm asleep, its wonderful, I did have a slight headache the next day, but no dry mouth and only very minor drowsiness in the morning. I highly recommend them, and I'm so glad to have found something that works.”
Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I have used Sominex on and off for 2 years due to anxiety and night sweats (I am 48 year old female maybe hormones are playing up here...). If I don't take it I wake up after 3 or 4 hours and then hardly sleep. When I do take it I sleep for 6 hours then wake up but only for 10 or so mins and am able to go back to sleep getting 8-10 hours overall. I feel so much more rested. It's a life saver. My GP told me it's fine to carry on if it helps. Highly recommend.”
Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “After I was in a severe car accident 8 years ago I've had chronic back pain and muscle spasms which has made it very hard to sleep. I am in the medical field and have tried lots of over the counter medicines and have also been prescribed medication however since taking Sominex I have been able to sleep through the night and I don't wake up groggy! Love it!”
ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “Have had insomnia for over a week now. My melatonin and valerian root stopped working (even though I gave myself a week holiday). Tried the ZZZquil last night and laid there for 3.5 hours before dozing off, then awake and tossing and turning every few minutes until morning. Did not work for me at all. Just made insomnia worse by making me feel nuts all night.”
Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “As a former bartender, I'm a night owl by nature. Now that I'm in law school and have 8am classes, I can't afford to be up all night. It ruins my entire next day because I cannot think and I am useless. Also, lack of sleep depresses me and gives me anxiety. Anyhow, I have tried literally everything under the sun- Ambien, Sleepy time, Valerian, melatonin, Simply sleep, and 4-5 others, both natural and not, and Sominex is the only one that has ever consistently worked to not only put me to sleep, but KEEP me asleep, on most nights. Occasionally I'll have an off night when I wake up mid-sleep or when I'm super groggy in the morning, but at least 90% of the time it works great. I usually take it about 1-2.5 hours before I want to fall asleep.”
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Nausea/Vomiting: “I got a severe back injury about 2 years ago. Couldn't function pain was so bad. So my doctor started putting me on codiene, then vicoden, then tramadol, and then so on but they all gave me hours of vomiting, gut wrenching cramps, and sweating. Read about benadryl being used to prevent this side effect. I took 3 25 mg tabs. I know that is one over recommended but I was desperate. 35 mins later I was sitting with my kids and not the trash can for the first time in a while. I can't believe I didn't figure this out sooner especially with a biotech degree.”
More FAQ
ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “This stuff is one of those products where 'works great' or is total junk, depending on how the ingredients work with the individual taking the stuff. For me, it might as well been a shot of espresso coffee, one or two gummies either way, I'm awake for 90% of the night”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I bought these Nytol from Boots and the man behind the counter the pharmacist didn't even ask me any questions. They do work but I have anxiety and a history of panic attacks. These made me panic because I was going off to sleep but because I knew it was from the tablet I panicked and felt out of control. I felt shaky and had two panic attacks. These make you feel very strange in a way that isn't nice. That normal internal chatter you have in your head is cut off so you are relaxed but feel disconnected with yourself they make you feel drowsy and not alert. Also gave me diarrhea. So overall horrible experience.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I have trouble falling asleep. Took this medication as recommended by pharmacy. Had terrible side effects. It made me feel like throwing up, gave me horrific nightmares, made my hands feel numb, I was left disorientated and genuinely had me thinking that life was over. Maybe it works for other people, but for me was more harmful.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “First off I read the instructions on the box which says 2 things! Firstly you can take one an hour before you go to bed (mistake) as it won't work that fast and your even more awake cause your waiting for the effects!! Now the second point they make is much more advisable where you take one probably around I would say 6pm as it gives your body much more time to acclimatize to the product. For me I only took one just before I went to bed but it's much more a delayed reaction so I found that I was quite groggy the next day (mistake). So it definitely works and I had a few funny dreams but who cares? Probably try not to lay in bed too much when night becomes day and get your self into a good pattern as you will be trying to over compensate with nytol”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I take Nytol on nights I really can't get to sleep. My experience is that they don't work very fast, but when they do I sleep pretty soundly. Unfortunately, the result in the morning is that I feel like I have a hangover, and I often sleep through my alarms.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I took the tablets at 11pm and am typing this at 3.19am. They seem to have had the opposite effect on me and are keeping me awake. It usually takes me about an hour to get off to sleep, and then I'm up several times in the night, so I thought I would give them a go, but I'm wide awake and feel absolutely alert. Needless to say, I won't be taking any more of them.”
ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “Horrible. It was like taking cocaine in my younger years. Horrible. Never again. Have taken Xanax to reverse problem which I was trying to avoid in the first place and it so far hasn't counteracted it an hour later. This product is a joke and a nightmare for people that can't sleep.”
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “OMG! I am going through a divorce and haven’t slept properly for two years waking at 4 or 5am every morning and unable to go back to sleep. I took a HALF a Nytol at 8pm (early as recommended by some reviewers) and slept through for 9 hours! I feel like a different person. My Fitbit indicates I got one hour twenty minutes deep sleep which is great. I’m delighted.”
This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge and judgement of healthcare professionals.
More about diphenhydramine
- Side effects
- Drug interactions
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Patient tips
- Drug images
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- En español
- Drug class: anticholinergic antiemetics
Patient resources
- Drug Information
- Diphenhydramine (Sleep Aid) Capsules and Tablets
- Diphenhydramine (Sleep Aid) Orally Disintegrating Tablets
- Diphenhydramine (Sleep Aid) Liquid
- Diphenhydramine Capsules and Tablets
- Other brands
- Benadryl, Banophen, Benadryl Allergy, ZzzQuil, ... +18 more
Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia: “I used to worry, thought I was going mad in a hurry Gettin' stressed, makin' excess mess in darkness No electricity, something's all over me, greasy Insomnia, please release me and let me dream Of makin' mad love to my girl on the heath Tearin' off tights with my teeth But there's no release, no peace I toss and turn without cease Like a curse, open my eyes, rise like yeast. At least a couple of weeks Since I last slept, kept takin' sleepers But now I keep myself pep Deeper still, the night I write by candlelight, I find insight Fundamental movement So when it's black This insomnia takin'-original-tack(?) Keep the beast in my nature Under ceaseless attack... I gets no sleep I can't get no sleep”