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Diphenhydramine User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Benadryl, Banophen, Benadryl Allergy, ZzzQuil, Nytol, Diphen, Unisom SleepGels, Sominex, Dicopanol, Nytol QuickCaps, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Help I Can't Sleep, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Sleepwell 2-nite, Unisom SleepMinis, Diphenhist, Diphenadryl, Sleep Tab II, Valu-Dryl, Diphenyl, Nytol Caplet, Sleepinal, Diphenydramine Quick Melt, Dormin, Miles Nervine, Snooze Fast, Sominex Maximum Strength Caplet, Unisom Liquid, ConRx Allergy, Buckley's Bedtime, Hyrexin, Hydramine Cough Syrup, Bydramine, Diphedryl, Diphen AF, Diphen Cough, DPH, Aler-Dryl, Allergia-C, Benahist-10, Benahist-50, Benoject-50, Calm-Aid, Genahist, Aller-G-Time, Trux-adryl, Altaryl, Beldin, Belix, Vicks QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief, Hydramine, Silphen Cough, Diphenylin, Hydramine Compound, Allermax Diphendryl Twilite Banaril Aler-Tab Siladryl Allergy Sleep-ettes D Diphenmax Ben-Tann Dytan Vanamine PD Pharbedryl Histaprin Z-Sleep Unisom SleepMelts Simply Sleep Complete Allergy Relief Dytuss Scot-Tussin Allergy …show all brand names

Diphenhydramine has an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 from a total of 516 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 41% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Insomnia  
4.7
 383 reviews for Insomnia 113 medications
Allergic Reactions  
7.8
 47 reviews for Allergic Reactions 188 medications
Nausea/Vomiting  
7.6
 36 reviews for Nausea/Vomiting 167 medications
Allergic Rhinitis  
6.9
 21 reviews for Allergic Rhinitis 900 medications
Urticaria  
5.8
 9 reviews for Urticaria 189 medications
Cough  
7.6
 6 reviews for Cough 825 medications
Cold Symptoms  
6.8
 5 reviews for Cold Symptoms 1119 medications
Pruritus  
8.0
 4 reviews for Pruritus 307 medications
Motion Sickness  
9.0
 3 reviews for Motion Sickness 113 medications
Extrapyramidal Reaction  
9.0
 2 reviews for Extrapyramidal Reaction 68 medications
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Reviews for Diphenhydramine

  • Daywa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 27, 2022

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"

6 / 10
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  • mrphla
  • May 31, 2018

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."

9 / 10
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  • Kbert
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 21, 2020

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."

1 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Cano
  • April 30, 2021

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."

1 / 10
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  • Stevie...
  • February 20, 2016

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. :)"

9 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Caz
  • March 11, 2021

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."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 15, 2012

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."

7 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Widea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2020

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."

1 / 10
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  • Abibl...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 21, 2021

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."

10 / 10
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  • Debj
  • September 5, 2020

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!"

1 / 10
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  • Sleep...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 12, 2021

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."

2 / 10
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  • JoAnna
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 22, 2019

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."

2 / 10
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  • Anny
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 11, 2020

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."

10 / 10
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  • 562Pe...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 24, 2014

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!"

9 / 10
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  • Las
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 26, 2020

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."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • April 14, 2012

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."

9 / 10
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  • A bio...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 20, 2015

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."

10 / 10
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  • Silas...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 9, 2020

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"

1 / 10
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  • Honey...
  • November 21, 2021

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."

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  • Shade...
  • December 20, 2022

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Nausea/Vomiting "Benadryl has been incredibly effective for nausea and vomiting, in my experience. There are times when I'm so sick that I literally can't eat, but give me some Benadryl and within an hour or two, I feel much better."

9 / 10
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  • Joanna
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 24, 2021

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."

2 / 10
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  • GsdFan
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2019

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I took 1/2 a Sominex pill because it was my first time taking this drug. It took more than an hour to make me sleepy. Once I fell asleep I slept 10 hours without interruption or dreams, but I felt horrible for more than 24 hrs afterward. It was hard to wake up (even after 10 hrs of sleep) and all day afterward I felt groggy and inexplicably angry and cranky. My limbs felt heavy and I was just so very tired all day...the kind of extreme fatigue you feel with the flu. This drug is way worse than having a bad night of sleep...and I only took 1/2 a pill! I'll never take this again."

1 / 10
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  • Feli_...
  • August 25, 2019

ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I used to work overnight so now I suffer from being in an opposite schedule. Up at night and sleeping during the day. I decided to take zzzquil and it kept me up all night. The first time I took it I didn’t sleep sound and had crazy dreams. The second time I suffered from a little restless leg syndrome but I thought maybe it’s ok since I have arthritis as well. Tried it one more time and it was awful. I tossed and turned all night. My legs were so restless every time I started to fall asleep my legs woke me up because I was so uncomfortable. I’m totally throwing it away. I even couldn’t sleep the next day. And I was exhausted. It was horrible."

1 / 10
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  • Blueb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 10, 2020

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."

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  • Sue
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 12, 2019

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."

1 / 10
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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. 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.