Can you take Benadryl with Mexiletine?
1 drug interaction and 22 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- mexiletine
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
diphenhydrAMINE mexiletine
Applies to: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and mexiletine
DiphenhydrAMINE may increase the blood levels and effects of mexiletine. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if you experience increased side effects or if your condition changes. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
diphenhydrAMINE Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Ask your doctor before using diphenhydrAMINE together with ethanol (alcohol). Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking diphenhydrAMINE. You should be warned not to exceed recommended dosages and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment to safely take this combination. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
21 potential interactions Applies to: 14 conditions, including Depression, Heart Failure, Asthma, COPD, and Seizures.
Asthma
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.
Oral anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents may cause respiratory depression and apnea when given in high dosages or following acute overdose. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic agents should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are recommended.
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Asthma.
It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
COPD
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.
It has been suggested that the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines may reduce the volume and cause thickening of bronchial secretions, resulting in obstruction of respiratory tract. Some manufacturers and clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Depression
Major:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a major potential interaction with Depression.
A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of most anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics. Some of these changes include decreased inhibition, aggressiveness, agitation, and hallucinations. These drugs can cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.
Heart Block
Major:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a major potential interaction with Heart Block.
The use of mexiletine is contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock, second- or third-degree AV block in the absence of a functional artificial pacemaker.
Heart Failure
Major:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.
Antiarrhythmic agents can induce severe hypotension (particularly with IV administration) or induce or worsen congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients with primary cardiomyopathy or inadequately compensated CHF are at increased risk. Antiarrhythmic agents should be administered cautiously and dosage and/or frequency of administration modified in patients with hypotension or adequately compensated CHF. Alternative therapy should be considered unless these conditions are secondary to cardiac arrhythmia.
Hyperthyroidism
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
Hypotension
Major:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
Antiarrhythmic agents can induce severe hypotension (particularly with IV administration) or induce or worsen congestive heart failure (CHF). Patients with primary cardiomyopathy or inadequately compensated CHF are at increased risk. Antiarrhythmic agents should be administered cautiously and dosage and/or frequency of administration modified in patients with hypotension or adequately compensated CHF. Alternative therapy should be considered unless these conditions are secondary to cardiac arrhythmia.
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.
Antihistamines may infrequently cause cardiovascular adverse effects related to their anticholinergic and local anesthetic (quinidine-like) activities. Tachycardia, palpitation, ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, and hypertension have been reported. Although these effects are uncommon and usually limited to overdosage situations, the manufacturers and some clinicians recommend that therapy with antihistamines be administered cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and/or hyperthyroidism.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
In general, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics are extensively metabolized by the liver. Their plasma clearance may be decreased and their half-life prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Therapy with these drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease (some are not recommended in severe liver impairment), and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Laboratory testing is recommended prior and during treatment.
Moderate:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Mexiletine is extensively metabolized by the liver to minimally active and inactive forms. The serum concentration of mexiletine is increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with liver impairment. Elevation of liver enzymes have been reported during the first few weeks of therapy, primarily in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) or ischemia. Hepatic necrosis, resulting in death, has occurred. Therapy with mexiletine should be administered cautiously in patients with compromised liver function, CHF or ischemia. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function (ECG) and liver function is recommended.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Limited pharmacokinetic data are available for the older, first-generation antihistamines. Many appear to be primarily metabolized by the liver, and both parent drugs and metabolites are excreted in the urine. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients. Lower initial dosages may be appropriate.
Moderate:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Mexiletine is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Approximately 10% of mexiletine is excreted in the urine unchanged. Marked changes in urinary pH alter the rate of mexiletine excretion. Elimination is accelerated with an acidic urinary pH and slowed with an alkaline urinary pH. Therapy with mexiletine should be administered cautiously in patients with significant renal impairment. Clinical monitoring of cardiac function (ECG) and renal function is recommended.
Seizures
Moderate:
mexiletine
Mexiletine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
Seizures have been reported rarely during mexiletine therapy in patients with and without a history of seizures. Therapy with mexiletine should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposition to seizure disorders.
Urinary Retention
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
Antihistamines often have anticholinergic activity, to which elderly patients are particularly sensitive. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously, if at all, in patients with preexisting conditions that are likely to be exacerbated by anticholinergic activity, such as urinary retention or obstruction; angle-closure glaucoma, untreated intraocular hypertension, or uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma; and gastrointestinal obstructive disorders. Conventional, first-generation antihistamines such as the ethanolamines (bromodiphenhydramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, phenyltoloxamine) tend to exhibit substantial anticholinergic effects. In contrast, the newer, relatively nonsedating antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine) reportedly have low to minimal anticholinergic activity at normally recommended dosages and may be appropriate alternatives.
Moderate:
Benadryl
The diphenhydrAMINE in Benadryl has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Retention.
Some hypnotic drugs can have an anticholinergic effect and should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, and trouble urinating due to retention or enlarged prostate.
More resources
Benadryl
A total of 493 drugs are known to interact with Benadryl.
- Benadryl is in the following drug classes: anticholinergic antiemetics, anticholinergic antiparkinson agents, antihistamines, miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics.
- Benadryl is used to treat the following conditions:
mexiletine
A total of 165 drugs are known to interact with mexiletine.
- Mexiletine is in the drug class group I antiarrhythmics.
-
Mexiletine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Arrhythmia
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (off-label)
- Myotonia Congenita (off-label)
- Ventricular Tachycardia
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.