Diphenhydramine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Cow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Ugh, just no. The first time I tried this tablet, I took a whole one. Did what it said on the tin, and I was knocked out within the hour. I slept for thirteen hours and woke up feeling terrible. Groggy, dizzy, and as if my limbs were tied down with iron weights. I wanted to cry at the tiniest things and felt bloody awful. Having slept for so long, I couldn't sleep it off. The next night, I took half a pill. In the morning, I didn't have the same grogginess, but I wasn't firing on all cylinders. I was also gripped with horrible anxiety that stayed with me until about 9 pm. I didn't take anything last night, and I feel absolutely fine. I find it difficult to chalk this up to coincidence."

• Qui...
• June 21, 2017

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "At first, I thought I found the perfect drug, I slept finally! But the side effects are pretty much there. (Dizzy, blurred vision, strange emotions, anxiety), and after every use, they are getting stronger."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Wow, this was grim. One tablet, still awake 4 hours later. Finally got to sleep but woke up dizzy and spent the day feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. And when I say 'the day,' I mean it. It was a full 24 hours before I felt normal again. Will never use this product again. I’ll take my chances counting sheep."

• Per...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2017

For Insomnia "I have occasional sleeping problems, such linked to stress, such as not being able to fall asleep for around 2 to 5 hours or waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall asleep afterward. Someone recommended I try Nustasium (diphenhydramine). It kicked in after 30 minutes to 1 hour after I took it, and it helped me sleep without waking up till morning for as many as 8-9 hours. However, I felt dizzy and sleepy in the mornings. And in cases when I slept more than 8 hours, like on the weekend, I felt very weak and dizzy the whole day. Might be good for occasional use when I know I need long hours of sleep, as with it I don't wake up early, but certainly not for continuous use, at least for me."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2019

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Helps me fall asleep fast, but the side effects are insane. I usually get around 7 hours of sleep, and every time I take this pill, it makes me feel super dizzy and weird in the morning. Also, one day in class, I either experienced micro sleep or passed out for a solid 2 seconds, but it was scary, and I’m almost positive it was due to this softgel pill."

• Rud...
• August 19, 2015

For Insomnia "I took this as a sleeping aid due to a very hectic schedule that was stressing me out. It did help me go to sleep and stay asleep, but I noticed that I was somewhat dizzy at times during the day. Over a six-week period, the dizziness became worse. I went to an ENT, thinking perhaps I had an ear infection that was messing up my balance. He told me to discontinue the diphenhydramine and try valerian root (I didn't want to use any more drugs), and it would take time for the drug to get out of my system. I've been off the med for a week and still have some dizziness going on. This drug is definitely not for continuous use!"

• Fox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2015

For Allergic Rhinitis "This is a wonderful drug for when my Allegra doesn't fully control my AR symptoms. It makes me feel sleepy and a bit dizzy, but it's totally worth it. Just don't take this drug if you have to drive anywhere."

• aet...
• December 2, 2018

For Insomnia "I was struggling with severe insomnia when I moved abroad - I was often unable to sleep for 2-3 nights in a row, and basically, every night was a nightmare. I tried this drug, and sometimes it would help me fall asleep, but every single morning I was feeling extremely drowsy, like a zombie. I was taking 50 mg and never exceeded the dose. 25 mg would make me feel dizzy, but even worse than before taking the drug. At some point, I had problems with excess mucus in my lungs, and one day I was feeling so tired and dizzy after waking up that when I flushed my face with cold water, I choked on it, and my cough reflex was greatly delayed, and for 2 seconds, I was just panicked not knowing what's going on. This is not a sleep drug, and even if it puts you to sleep, it's not regenerative sleep at all. In my opinion, the sleep it gives is even worse than after you drink several beers. Another problem is that tolerance to the hypnotic effects of the drug seems to build up very quickly - often within 3 days."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2015

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I'm a little young to be needing sleeping pills, but I do sadly. (17 years old). I took the 2 small tablets, and I fell asleep around an hour later. But when I woke up, I felt like complete crap as I was SO tired. I could barely get up to put my clothes on, and when I did, I felt a little dizzy, and I passed out, which was the scariest thing. Tried them again just in case it wasn't the pills, happened again. So for now, I'm going to stick to taking 1 instead of 2 and see if that helps any."

• Ben...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2024

For Insomnia "Wow, I was reading most recent. I have taken benzodiazepines for at least 9 years now. I take the max dose. I do not like to take Benadryl, diphenhydramine, or dimenhydrinate. I barely sleep. I have anxiety. But combining benzos with this drug and some other similar ones has a very negative effect for me. I become too dizzy. It lasts a long time. I suppose it reduces stress, I am confused and not clearheaded at all. I might help you. I learned my lesson quickly and use maybe 12.5 mg at night, maybe, if I have not slept in days and days. I have lots of old pills here. I barely touch it. It makes me sick the next day sometimes. It's great for when I am physically sick or traveling on an airplane."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2021

For Insomnia "I suffer with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and I suffer with vertigo. I usually take motion sickness pills to help with the dizziness and nausea. I took two, which means 50 mg of diphenhydramine. I also hoped it would help me fall asleep. That was after work at 10:30 pm; it is now 4:49 am, and I am wide awake! I have restless legs, up and down to urinate, and this med did nothing but keep me awake! I am surprised that getting out and in bed hasn’t woke my boyfriend up. I have work today at 2 pm, and I am afraid I will crash and burn at work!"

• Mit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "I took diphenhydramine by mouth for spring allergies. It made me drowsy and helped my allergies, but also made me dizzy and nauseated, which it is supposed to prevent. I do know that it is probably one of the best antihistamines on the market."

• See...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I have had problems turning off my thoughts and relaxing for sleep for a number of years. Or if I go to sleep and wake up, my thoughts for the coming day start, and I cannot go back to sleep. For a few years, I have tried Wal-Som from Walgreens, but a few nights lack the sleep I desire. I saw the ad for Relaxium Sleep by Huckabee and decided to try it. I ordered a 6-month supply and the product seems to work, but perhaps not as well as Wal-Som. Then I noticed dizzy symptoms, mainly in the a.m., and especially after eating breakfast. I thought perhaps heart or diabetic, but tests were negative. Apparently, the contents of Sleep do not agree with me and are causing dizzy situations. I will stop taking the last two bottles of Sleep and will again return to Wal-Som by Walgreens, as it works perhaps as well or better than Sleep."

• Con...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 13, 2025

For Nausea/Vomiting "OK. Be very careful. Renal failure is a warning on the box. I was hit in the head. Even taking 1-2 weeks off and 2 weeks on. My kidneys are hurting, and the whites of my eyes are turning slightly yellow. I am stopping altogether. Thankfully, wow, it's been 4 and 1/2 months. I don't need it anymore. I was vomiting uncontrollably. I have a splitting headache, and I'm dizzy. But I lost consciousness for a few seconds. I've been recommended to avoid NSAIDs because I can see/feel signs my organs are having trouble. Be careful with your head. 4.5 months sick. Not to mention I slur and stutter now. Everything is improving though. Dr. said 6-12 months, and whatever is permanent."

• Dad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

For Cough "I had an annoying tickle cough for almost two weeks, and I decided to try Benadryl for it. About ten minutes later, I began getting an anxious heartbeat and dizziness. The next day, however, it is now almost 2 pm, and I have spent the entire day feeling nauseated, with a strange thumping headache, and feeling 'hungover.' It did help the cough, though."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2011

Diphenhydramine for Allergic Rhinitis "I took this medicine for the first time in my life when I was 19 years old. It didn't work, it gave me the worst side effects ever. Upset stomach, bad headache, body cramps, and dizziness."

• igl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2021

Diphenhydramine "Makes you very, very sleepy within 30 minutes. I just woke up, and I feel extremely dizzy, weak, and unstable on my feet."

• Ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Absolutely horrific. Woke up 4+ times, sweating so much, tossing and turning, nightmares, dizziness. Just don’t take them, lol."