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Diphenhydramine and Headaches: What Users Say

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

Headaches: mentioned by 22 users (4.1%)

Based on user experiences from 542 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 16.2%
nausea 4.6%
tiredness 4.4%
anxiety 4.2%
headaches 4.1%
restless leg syndrome 3.5%
dizziness 3.3%
restlessness 3.0%
sleepy 3.0%
dry mouth 2.8%

Reviews for Diphenhydramine

Showing 22 reviews tagged with "headaches". Clear filters to view all 542 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Can...
  • April 30, 2021

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 usual three hours of sleep. Taking Nytol is such a waste and a horrible experience."

1 / 10
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103 Report
  • Ann...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 11, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I had been suffering from insomnia and restless legs, so the doctor gave me a week's course of sleeping tablets, which obviously worked brilliantly. When they were gone, I went back to no sleep all night once again, so I 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, and before I know it, I'm asleep. It's 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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66 Report
  • Rut...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2019

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I only took ZzzQuil for two nights. Both nights I slept just a few hours and woke up with a bad headache two mornings in a row that Advil didn't help, and it usually always does. I also noticed yesterday when watching a football game that my vision was acting weird, blurring like. I DO NOT recommend this to anyone. I have tried many over-the-counter meds, and nothing really works - does nothing at all for me, but this stuff made me miserable."

1 / 10
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15 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • D R...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 2, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Absolutely useless. I took 2 Nytol, and I was up all night. Then I have every single side effect. I still have a headache 12 hours after. I will not be taking them again. Be very wary with these tablets. They make you stay awake all night. Xanax and diazepam are the best to get to sleep."

1 / 10
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17 Report
  • Nut...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 4, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I took half a Sominex last night to try to get a deep sleep. I slept better, but I am a wreck today. Bad headache, nausea, and extreme muscle fatigue and weakness. Wondered whether it was the Sominex, and reading some of the reviews, it looks like it is. Even had to nap this afternoon and still feel awful. Binned it."

4 / 10
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13 Report

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  • pet...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 15, 2019

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I was using the liquid form, and it was fine, working for me, but yesterday I took 2 of these pills. I slept for 5 hours, and now I have a terrible headache. I took 2 painkillers, but it doesn't help at all. I can't sit or work or concentrate. Terrible pill, will not take it again."

1 / 10
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12 Report
  • Sco...
  • August 23, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "A complete waste of money. I have had recent sleep problems, so thought this would be a solution. It had no effect whatsoever, apart from causing a headache. This made the dire warnings I got from the pharmacist when I bought it about long-term usage and dependency completely laughable. I considered returning the garbage to them and demanding my money back."

1 / 10
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12 Report

More FAQ

  • Sle...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 18, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I personally wouldn’t recommend this to my worst enemy. I woke up roughly three hours after putting my head on the pillow with the absolute worst headache and stomachache I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’m not trying to bash this product, only sharing my personal experience. It might work for others, just not me."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Tin...
  • April 23, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "It took me two hours before I fell asleep and woke up three hours later with pounding heartbeats, which subsided after like ten minutes. I started falling in and out of sleep after every two hours. Woke up with a headache in the morning. I don't think this med works for me."

1 / 10
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6 Report
  • Vic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Have tried this a few times in desperate hope of having a peaceful night. While I do find it helps me to drift off to sleep initially, I wake about an hour or so later, buzzing and with a headache. So I don’t find this helps at all, don’t waste your money."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 24, 2011

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "In a lower dose of 25 mg, it made it easier to wake up in the morning and increased my appetite, but in the higher dose of 50 mg, I got headaches, lost my appetite, and my sleep got even more messed up."

5 / 10
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11 Report
  • Pic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 17, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Took 1 last night Nytol tablet 1 hour before bed. Mild sedative-like effect, but fell asleep okay. Next morning, I felt more tired at work than I did in bed, haha :) Plus dry mouth, and luckily avoided a headache by drinking water!"

3 / 10
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7 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 4, 2022

For Insomnia "Absolutely miserable experience after taking 25 mg just before bed. Not sure if my sleep was better, but I felt awful the next day—could not function, headache. Don’t experiment if you have to function the next day. Feel like I’ve been poisoned."

1 / 10
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0 Report
  • 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."

5 / 10
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0 Report
  • lfs...
  • November 10, 2009

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I find that this causes me to only awaken with a severe headache. It can also cause a very restless and agitated feeling, making it difficult to fall asleep."

1 / 10
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40 Report
  • Tir...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 16, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "This tablet just gives me a headache and is absolutely no help in getting to sleep. Useless."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Rex...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 5, 2024

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "just made my head ache until morning and still was not able to sleep well... not very effective..."

1 / 10
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1 Report
  • Che...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2023

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Tastes funny. Gave me a headache and restless legs, as well as twitching. Doesn’t help me doze off any better than not taking it."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Pai...
  • August 1, 2016

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Awoke with a banging headache similar to a whisky hangover! Not good..."

2 / 10
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10 Report
  • 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."

2 / 10
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15 Report
  • Owe...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 5, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Terrible product, did more harm than good. Took the one Nytol pill/night which gave me a terrible headache and diarrhea all day, the day after taking it. Avoid at all costs."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Raf...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 17, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I couldn't sleep for days, so I took Nytol. It worked for me, they made me sleep without interruption the last 2 days. The only problem is that I have a headache the next day."

9 / 10
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0 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.