Diphenhydramine for Allergic Reactions User Reviews

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2020

"This is an old thread but thought I would share. I was in the hospital in labor. I developed a reaction to the epidural that caused severe itchiness. They gave me something that didn't help, and after several hours of itching, a nurse gave me IV Benadryl. I immediately couldn't breathe and felt like someone kicked me in the chest. I was warm all over, nauseous, and on the edge of passing out. An EKG also showed I had a heart arrhythmia from it. I've taken oral Benadryl in the past with no problems. Now it's on my list of allergies, and I tell every doc I see. Most terrifying experience."

• Ame...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 28, 2016

"I take one before bed, which keeps me breathing easily during the night despite my allergies. It also helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. The active ingredient, diphenhydramine HCl, you will find is the main ingredient in quite a few over-the-counter sleep medications, so that should tell us something. And Benadryl or a generic drugstore brand are cheaper and just as effective. Have been taking this for over 20 years and have no side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2021

"Took Benadryl for eight months on the advice of PCP and pulmonary specialist. I quit taking it because I began having short-term memory problems. Checked it out on the internet and found it should not be given to senior citizens. A neurologist at the University of North Carolina Memory Disorders Unit said it should probably not be given to anyone as there are safer alternatives. I had a nervous breakdown and spent several days in a mental hospital. Had two MRIs of my brain. The second showed a small area that was due to the diphenhydramine use. Alienated my family because of things I said. Without Benadryl, I wouldn't be the most heartbroken 74-year-old lady around."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

"Received Benadryl via IV in prep for a biologic infusion. My throat started swelling and my blood pressure skyrocketed. An immunologist tested me, and I showed strongly allergic to Benadryl, so it can happen."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2010

"I like this medicine, but unfortunately developed an allergy to it, yes contrary to anyone's belief I am allergic to Benadryl. My legs started to get really, really hot and felt like I just had to stretch them and run them under freezing cold water, then I woke up with hives all over."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 5, 2015

"I have a severe dairy allergy, and I have had it for all of my life. My doctor (who has been a doctor for more than 20 years) told me I had the worst case he has ever seen. If I touch it, I break out into hives, if I eat it or just put it in my mouth and then spit it back out, I go into anaphylactic shock (where my lungs close up and I stop breathing). I always carry around the liquid Benadryl (because it works faster than the pills) in my purse. On many occasions, a double dose of it has saved my life and delayed the reaction from getting worse until I could get to the emergency room. Literally, a lifesaver."

• use...
• October 28, 2014

"I was given Benadryl at the hospital for an allergic reaction. It instantly shot my heart rate up to 217 bpm, and instantly my mouth got dry. I couldn't swallow, my chest felt hot, like an elephant was sitting on it, and I got really cold. It put me into shock, my body wouldn't stop shaking, I could breathe. It was so scary, I thought I was dead. Thanks to the doctor's quick response, he saved me, but it almost killed me."

• Ros...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 24, 2021

"So I've been taking this going on 2 years now, and I regret taking it so long. I even ended up in the ER because my heart wouldn't stop racing, it was over 170. I believe it was due to the Benadryl. I ignored the side effect before I noticed that sometimes when I took it, my heart would beat funny, and it would be hard to catch my breath, but I kept taking it as it stopped my itchy throat, eyes, and mouth. Doctors at the ER found arrhythmia but said everything else looked fine. I stopped taking it, haven't taken it in a week, and I'm still having a racing heart and palpitations. Don't take this stuff long term. I'm in my early 20s and healthy if anyone reading this was curious."

• Son...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2016

"My adult-sized teenage son was given Benadryl IV, 50 mg, along with Compazine IV as a 'headache cocktail' in an emergency room in September of 2016. While there is no way to know for certain if Compazine or Benadryl caused the severe reaction he experienced, he has tolerated oral Benadryl just fine in the past. However, it seems important to share our experience based on the severity of his reaction that day and that multiple reports of similar exist. I do not recommend the 'headache cocktail' of Benadryl and Compazine together and hope the number of similar reports is looked into."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2009

"A little-known and rare side effect of this drug is a condition that would probably be called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This describes a serious depletion of platelets in the blood. The blood will not clot properly, and an injury can be life-threatening due to uncontrolled bleeding. It's rare, but if it happens and the cause is not figured out by your physician(s), this is a big problem."

• squ...
• July 18, 2009

"I have severe allergies and life has been miserable. I couldn't afford the time or money anymore for allergy shots. Claritin stopped working. So did a bunch of over-the-counter allergy medications. I took so many cough and zinc lozenges my tongue became sore. I coughed all the time, to the point of stomach pain and incontinence. My coworker just gave me Benadryl. I was on the verge of going home sick, but now I'm 100% better. A stress rash that was erupting on the back of my neck just now went away. This is a marvelous product, and I didn't know it had so many uses."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2010

"I have taken Benadryl or its generic equivalent for many years. It is very good for itchy throats and ears and all kinds of symptoms, and particularly good for sneezing. If the Benadryl doesn't work, then I know I'm coming down with something more than just seasonal allergies. I try to keep Benadryl with me all the time. There are so many food products that I am supposed to be allergic to that sometimes I take Benadryl before I eat, especially peanut butter and bananas, two of my favorite foods."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2015

"Experienced an allergic reaction during dinner at a new restaurant. Throat started itching terribly, so we left and drove to the nearest pharmacy. Used Benadryl syrup because I thought it would work faster. Fixed my allergic reaction in a minute."

• Con...
• April 26, 2017

"I have no rest every time I take Benadryl. I feel I have a really bad reaction as I feel restless, my body feels itchy, nauseous, and it makes me feel angry. Feeling restless really hurts my stomach. Am I allergic to it, or is it a bad reaction?"

• Jim...
• November 28, 2024

"I ate a new spicy chip I had never had before (purple bag of Takis, for reference). One of the spices or something on the chip I'm allergic to and didn't realize it, and as I'm driving 45 minutes back home, my tongue began to swell up. I grabbed two Benadryl and chewed them the second I got in the door; 25 mins or so later. Literally, the worst taste I've ever experienced in my life, but I am here today to tell you about it. Within 5 minutes, the swelling started to subside, and I was no longer half-choking on my own tongue, and I made it through. I do not recommend you rely on this in the case of allergic reactions, especially if it's involving your breathing at all, but that is my experience with it. I was 45 minutes from a hospital by ambulance and had to act. And they're talking about banning it OTC... what a world."

• Pow...
• February 15, 2016

"I couldn't stop coughing for one week. I lost my voice and had severe lung pain due to the coughing. I went to see a pulmonologist and did X-rays, the results were negative. My lungs were clear and had no infection whatsoever. He recommended that I go to Walmart and buy Claritin pills, but I was desperate last night to have a good sleep without coughing all night. I haven't been able to sleep with this horrible, killing cough, not to mention dry nose, itchy ears, and itchy throat. Last night I took two regular Benadryl pills and slept like a baby for 10 hours straight. The only problem is that I make my living driving and can't take the pills during the day. Probably I will take Claritin during the day, but I honestly prefer Benadryl, way more effective."

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2008

"I am severely allergic to all nuts, and I always keep a few pills with me. If I eat something that has been in contact with nuts, I take two pills or a gulp of the syrup, and my itchy mouth and throat, swollen lips are instantly soothed. The syrup does work faster than the pills, but pills are lighter to carry around. I once ate a huge piece of hazelnut chocolate, and having Benadryl on me really saved me. It won't work on severe reactions, i.e., eating peanut butter, but it is definitely a lifesaver for all other allergic reactions. I am never without Benadryl and my EpiPen. The only thing to look out for is intense drowsiness, so make sure to be at home to take a long nap when it takes effect."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2012

"I use this medicine for weather allergies and allergies to medications when I need it. It does help greatly, but does not last long, and my burning sensation comes back into my body and the hives start to show. However, a lot of people say that this medicine makes them feel sedated. I have the complete opposite, I take 1 before bed, and I will not sleep."

• Agn...
• February 20, 2009

"I have been using Benadryl for the past 4 years, and I never leave home without it. I have sneezing fits both indoors and outdoors, and Benadryl is the only allergy pill that works for me. It works fast and stops my runny nose immediately. Although I do feel sleepy (most of the time), I can't be without it."

• Tal...
• July 3, 2021

"I took over-the-counter Benadryl for some minor reason, and hours later I started itching all over my body. The itch was deeply intense, from my scalp to my feet - a full body reaction. I started getting visible large hives, and my throat and face were swelling. I went to the ER, and they said it was impossible that I was allergic to Benadryl. The ER doctor was certain I was having a reaction to the pink dye in the pill. He injected me with clear liquid Benadryl to prove this to me. I immediately had a second reaction. They had to treat me with alternative medications; an injection in my bottom, prednisone to help with breathing, and another green pill of some sort to take home with me. I am allergic to Benadryl."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 14, 2018

"I've used this and given it to my children for over 20 years. My teenage son would take 1 before going to bed so he could sleep without allergic reactions. I've used it for unknown allergies like bee stings and sunless tanner. Works great, and so does the topical cream. No adverse effects with us."

• Mad...
• January 25, 2016

"Allergy reaction to nuts. Started feeling swelling around mouth, throat... very scary, feel like I am stopping to breathe. This instant relief. Give it 10-15 minutes till it kicks in. WORKS WONDERS. BUT... you might need a good snooze after a good dose..."

• EMM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

"My dog was sprayed with something poisonous from a frog in the bushes, and if I had not had this in the house, my dog would have died. Her airway was closing up, and within minutes she could breathe again."

• All...
• March 14, 2012

"Works well and is one of my go-to antihistamines. However, it is very sedating and is also not long-lasting. It would work great for someone with insomnia as a milder sleep aid, but for my use, I would say that it works but makes you sedated."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2023

"Reduced my itching and after a while, it disappeared. The red on my body started disappearing too. Did cause me to sleep, but that is no problem as I'm in an assisted living facility. I do sleep a lot with it, but I figure my body needs to sleep anyhow. I'm happy with it so far. I take 1 25mg capsule every 6 hours. I am allergic to generic detergent that most facilities use to wash clothes, sheets, etc. I supply my own, but someone did not use it and used the generic stuff, and my body went into an itching fit from head to toe. The Banophen has really helped me."