Diphenhydramine

Adults and children 12 years of age and older: The usual dose is 25 mg to 50 mg taken by mouth 3 or 4 times a day. No more than 200 mg should be taken in a 24-hour period. As there are various strengths and forms of diphenhydramine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Diphenhydramine. Take diphenhydramine exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Children 6 to 11 years of age: The usual dose is 12.5 mg to 25 mg every 4 to 6 hours. No more than 100 mg should be taken in a 24-hour period.

Children 2 to 5 years of age: The usual dose is 6.25 mg every 4 to 6 hours. No more than 25 mg should be taken in a 24-hour period.

Children under 2 years of age: The usual dose is 3.125 mg every 4 to 6 hours. No more than 12.5 mg should be taken in a 24-hour period.

Do not give diphenhydramine capsules or caplets to children younger than 12 years of age unless directed to do so by your child's doctor. As there are various strengths and forms (e.g., children's liquid, elixir) of diphenhydramine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving Diphenhydramine to a child.

Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

Cream: For adults and children 2 years and over, apply a thin layer of cream 3 or 4 times a day to the affected area. If the skin condition worsens or persists for longer than 7 days, do not continue this medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones above, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Diphenhydramine exactly as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

Store Diphenhydramine at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dryness of the mouth; it may cause headaches; it may cause drowsiness or dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Diphenhydramine is available as a 50 mg/mL injectable solution.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to diphenhydramine or any ingredients of the medication.

Do not use the topical cream on Chickenpox, Measles, raw areas of skin, broken skin, or on large areas of skin.

There may be an interaction between diphenhydramine and any of the following:

• aclidinium
• alcohol
• Alfuzosin
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• atropine
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• belladonna
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Benztropine
• Betahistine
• botulinum toxin
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• chloroquine
• Darifenacin
• Disopyramide
• dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• efavirenz
• Flavoxate
• Flecainide
• Galantamine
• Glucagon
• glycopyrrolate
• hyaluronidase
• ipratropium
• ketotifen
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Methadone
• mifepristone
• Mirabegron
• Mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Olopatadine
• other antihistamines (e.g,. cetirizine, doxylamine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• Oxybutynin
• potassium supplements (e.g., potassium chloride, salt substitutes that contain potassium)
• Pramipexole
• procainamide
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, sparfloxacin)
• rilpivirine
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• saquinavir
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Clobazam, Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., Dolasetron, Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• Solifenacin
• Sotalol
• Tetrabenazine
• thalidomide
• thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• tiotropium
• Tolterodine
• Tranylcypromine
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• umeclidinium
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Diphenhydramine.

Asthma or breathing problems: Diphenhydramine can cause the secretions produced in the lungs to become thick and difficult to clear out of the lungs. If you have breathing problems such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (COPD), discuss with your doctor discuss with your doctor how Diphenhydramine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diphenhydramine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you have determined that Diphenhydramine does not affect your ability to perform these tasks safely.

Glaucoma: Diphenhydramine may cause the symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Diphenhydramine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diphenhydramine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Report any changes in vision to your doctor as soon as possible while you are taking this medication.

Skin conditions: The topical cream should not be used on chickenpox, measles, or extensive areas of the skin. Avoid applying the cream to raw or open areas of skin. If the condition worsens or lasts for longer than 7 days, contact your doctor. Other medications containing diphenhydramine (e.g., tablets, capsules, liquids) should not be used while using the cream.

Stomach ulcers: Diphenhydramine may make the symptoms of stomach ulcers worse. If you have stomach problems, discuss with your doctor how Diphenhydramine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diphenhydramine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Urinary tract problems: Diphenhydramine can make passing urine more difficult, increasing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland or other urinary tract problems. If you have prostate problems or difficulty passing urine, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Diphenhydramine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Diphenhydramine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Diphenhydramine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: The safety of using Diphenhydramine while breast-feeding has not been established. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Diphenhydramine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Children are at an increased risk of overdose and side effects from Diphenhydramine. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine can cause excitation in young children.

Seniors: If you are a senior, Diphenhydramine may be more likely to cause dizziness, drowsiness, and Low Blood Pressure. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Diphenhydramine.

This medication is typically used 4 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, it is used only as needed. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. This medication may be taken with or without food. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication.