Diphenhydramine injection
What is diphenhydramine injection?
DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Benadryl®) is an antihistamine that reduces allergic reactions, motion sickness and vertigo (dizziness and loss of balance), and Parkinson's disease. Diphenhydramine injection is for use when you cannot take the medicine by mouth. A generic is available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive diphenhydramine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
-
glaucoma
-
high blood pressure or heart disease
-
liver disease
-
other chronic illness
-
prostate trouble
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
thyroid disease
-
ulcers or other stomach problems
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to diphenhydramine, other medicines foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Diphenhydramine is for injection into a muscle, or into a vein.
If you are having diphenhydramine to stop you from getting car (or travel) sick, you need the first dose 30 to 60 minutes before you leave.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
The injection is usually given as needed.
What drug(s) may interact with diphenhydramine?
-
alcohol
-
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
-
doxercalciferol
-
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
-
medicines for hay fever and other allergies
-
medicines for mental depression
-
medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
-
medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
-
thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking diphenhydramine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how diphenhydramine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
Diphenhydramine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.
What side effects may I notice from receiving diphenhydramine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
-
blurred vision
-
dizziness or fainting spells
-
irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
-
muscle or facial twitches
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
seizures (convulsions)
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any of these.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Diphenhydramine oral syrup or elixir
What is diphenhydramine oral syrup or elixir?
DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Banophen®, Benadryl®) is an antihistamine that has many uses. It relieves irritant cough, symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis), hives (rash or itching), and other allergic reactions, motion sickness and vertigo (dizziness and loss of balance), and Parkinson's disease. Generic diphenhydramine oral syrup or elixir are available, with or without a prescription. You can get a sugar-free liquid.
What should my health care professional know before I take diphenhydramine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
-
glaucoma
-
high blood pressure or heart disease
-
liver disease
-
other chronic illness
-
prostate trouble
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
thyroid disease
-
ulcers or other stomach problems
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to diphenhydramine, other medicines foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take diphenhydramine oral syrup or elixir by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take diphenhydramine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
If you are taking diphenhydramine to stop you from getting car (or travel) sick, take the first dose 30 to 60 minutes before you leave.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double doses.
What drug(s) may interact with diphenhydramine?
-
alcohol
-
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
-
doxercalciferol
-
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
-
medicines for hay fever and other allergies
-
medicines for mental depression
-
medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
-
medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
-
thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking diphenhydramine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how diphenhydramine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
Diphenhydramine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.
What side effects may I notice from taking diphenhydramine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
-
blurred vision
-
dizziness or fainting spells
-
irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
-
muscle or facial twitches
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
seizures (convulsions)
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any of these.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Diphenhydramine skin cream or solution
What is diphenhydramine skin cream or solution?
DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Benadryl®) is an antihistamine that gives temporary relief of pain and itching from insect bites or other minor itchy skin conditions. Generic diphenhydramine skin cream, lotion, gel, or aerosol spray are available.
What should my health care professional know before I use diphenhydramine?
They need to know if you if you have any serious illness or if you do not know the cause of your skin condition.
How should I use this medicine?
Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash your hands. Lightly apply to the affected area of skin. Wash your hands after use. Do not use more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. Do not use more than 3 or 4 times a day.
What drug(s) may interact with diphenhydramine?
The chances of an interaction between other medicines and diphenhydramine skin products are small. Other skin preparations may interact; do not use two skin products at the same time.
What should I watch for while taking diphenhydramine?
If your skin condition has not got better after 7 days, or if it returns when you stop using diphenhydramine, see your prescriber or health care professional. You may have a skin infection or other more serious skin condition.
Diphenhydramine lotion can catch fire. Keep away from lighted matches, cigarettes and other naked flames.
What side effects may I notice from using diphenhydramine?
You can get an allergic reaction. Stop using the product and call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get:
-
itching, swelling, or rash at the place where you applied the cream, lotion, gel or aerosol
Skin preparations are unlikely to cause other side effects. However, serious side effects with diphenhydramine include:
-
agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
-
blurred vision
-
dizziness or fainting spells
-
irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
-
muscle or facial twitches
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
seizures (convulsions)
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any of these.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Diphenhydramine tablets or capsules
What are diphenhydramine tablets or capsules?
DIPHENHYDRAMINE (Banophen®, Benadryl®) is an antihistamine that has many uses. It relieves irritant cough, symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis), hives (rash or itching), and other allergic reactions, motion sickness and vertigo (dizziness and loss of balance), Parkinson's disease, and reduces some side effects associated with the use of antipsychotics. Generic diphenhydramine tablets or capsules are available, with or without a prescription.
What should my health care professional know before I take diphenhydramine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
-
glaucoma
-
high blood pressure or heart disease
-
liver disease
-
other chronic illness
-
prostate trouble
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
ulcers or other stomach problems
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to diphenhydramine, other medicines foods, dyes, or preservatives such as sulfites
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take diphenhydramine tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take diphenhydramine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
If you are taking diphenhydramine to stop you from getting car (or travel) sick, take the first dose 30 to 60 minutes before you leave.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double doses.
What drug(s) may interact with diphenhydramine?
-
alcohol
-
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
-
doxercalciferol
-
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
-
medicines for hay fever and other allergies
-
medicines for mental depression
-
medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
-
medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking diphenhydramine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how diphenhydramine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
Diphenhydramine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.
What side effects may I notice from taking diphenhydramine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
-
blurred vision
-
dizziness or fainting spells
-
irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
-
muscle or facial twitches
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
seizures (convulsions)
Call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any of these.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.