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Diphenhydramine and Restlessness: 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

Restlessness: mentioned by 16 users (3.0%)

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 16 reviews tagged with "restlessness". Clear filters to view all 542 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Deb...
  • September 5, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "So awful! I never have an issue going to sleep, I just wake up too early. I took these as I had a long journey the next day. I was awake till 3:50 am, 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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69 Report
  • Shy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 27, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I have been having a lot of issues with falling asleep lately, my sleepy time tea stopped working, so I was looking for a non-habit-forming sleeping aid. So I tried ZzzQuil. DOES NOT WORK!.. Was really disappointed... Actually, it woke me up even more, or I laid super restless for hours after taking."

1 / 10
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29 Report
  • rob...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 12, 2015

Diphenhydramine for Extrapyramidal Reaction "Diphenhydramine definitely calms down my muscles and helps with any antipsychotic-induced akathisia at night. Great for sleep as well and helps me stay in bed in the mornings, but I'm able to get up early if I need to."

9 / 10
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38 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Hid...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 30, 2023

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Couldn’t believe the effect these things had! Rather than falling asleep, I was irritated, restless, and slept almost zero minutes all night. Never again. Save your money, not only does this product not help you sleep, but achieves the exact opposite!"

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Con...
  • April 26, 2017

Diphenhydramine for Allergic Reactions "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?"

2 / 10
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22 Report

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  • Zzz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 26, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Desperately in need of sleep and decided to take ZzzQuil tablets. This product DOES NOT WORK! I tossed and turned, horribly restless, could not get any sleep! Heart pounding, pulse at high speed! Vicks must remove this product, like now!"

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 1, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Extremely scary. I took a full dose of the liquid form the first night detoxing THC, and I actually thought I was going insane. It did not help me sleep at all, it made me super anxious and restless instead. I honestly was better off just going to bed with no sleep aid. If you are in a similar situation, save your money and sanity and try another solution."

1 / 10
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4 Report

More FAQ

  • Anx...
  • January 13, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I used to use Nytol a fair amount at uni, but then stopped for about 2 years. I recently tried it again, and I have had a horrible night. Dry mouth and restlessness accompanied by severe anxiety, but nothing else. I have been trying for a few hours to get to sleep, and alas, nothing. I won’t be taking it again."

2 / 10
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10 Report
  • Abi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 9, 2024

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "First box of Nytol One A Day worked pretty well but then I bought another box a few months later and it gave me severe migraines, a bit of vomiting, and made me drowsy. Alright, but the sickness, restlessness, and sudden anxiety kept me awake. It's happened for the 6th night in a row, so I'll have to try something else."

4 / 10
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1 Report
  • Ann...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 28, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Where to start? I took two Nytol tablets at 9:30 pm. It’s now 3:55 am, and I’m more wide awake than I ever remember being before. My legs felt so achy and restless I’ve had to get up to make a cup of tea and take paracetamol. I’m just glad I’ve got a day off and not got to work. Dreadful experience, throwing them away."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Bea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "My review is about the IV and IM form of diphenhydramine (for migraines). 1. Works great for migraines and helps other drugs work better. 2. Can cause anxiety and restlessness. This has to do with how quickly your body processes the drug. 3. You will build up a tolerance quickly, so do not take this every day. 4. If receiving this through an IV, ask them to push it slowly. It can burn, and it also makes me cough."

8 / 10
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3 Report
  • Mot...
  • September 25, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night for no reason. Thought I would take 1 Nytol to relax me and allow me to have a good full night’s sleep. Wrong. I have tried going back to bed a few times, but I feel like I’ve had a coffee fix. I’m tossing and turning. My legs are extremely restless. I just can’t settle down. Never again will I take Nytol. Just not worth it! I feel horrible now."

1 / 10
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1 Report
  • bil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I have taken ZzzQuil twice. Like others have said, it has taken a while to actually fall asleep. Sometime during the night each time I have taken it, I wake up feeling like I have two tight cords wrapped around my upper chest. It's a very unsettling feeling. The first time, I did not attribute it to the sleep aid. The second time, it made me feel a bit panicky. For a while, I was restless and uncomfortable, but after a while, I finally fell back asleep. Never again will I take this sleep aid. I don't think it is safe for all people... mind you, I only take one very low-dose medication for cholesterol, so it has nothing to do with it. And I have no health issues that would create a problem. In addition, the following morning, I have not felt a bit rested. I don't recommend it!"

1 / 10
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0 Report
  • Gco...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 21, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I'm so disappointed that it is not working. I took a full capful of Nytol caramel-flavored liquid and feel wide awake and restless. Usually, I can lie awake quietly listening to my husband snoring, but tonight I tossed and turned so much that I woke him... quite an achievement. Don't waste your money. Take a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit to bed instead!"

2 / 10
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3 Report
  • Ali...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 8, 2019

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Took Nytol tonight, and it’s made my legs restless, and I’m actually more awake than normal! Have had to get up, as my whole body feels as if it’s restless!"

2 / 10
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23 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

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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.