$Unique_ID{BRK03133} $Pretitle{} $Title{diphenhydramine} $Subject{AllerMax Pfeiffer Belix Halsey Benadryl Parke-Davis Kapseals Benylin Cough Syrup Bydramine Major Compoz Jeffrey Martin Diphen My-K Lab hydrochloride Dormarex 2 Republic Hydramine Goldline Nervine Nighttime Sleep Aid Miles Nordryl Vortech Nytol Block Sleep-Eze 3 Whitehall Sominex 2 Beecham Tusstat Century Twilite Pfeiffer Unisom Nighttime Leeming Antihistamine sedative/hypnotic diphenhydramine histamine allergic reaction allergy motion sickness Parkinson's disease nonnarcotic cough suppressant} $Volume{} $Log{ Benadryl*0313301.scf} Benadryl Kapseals*0313302.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. diphenhydramine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) AllerMax (Pfeiffer) Belix [*] (Halsey) Benadryl [*] (Parke-Davis) Benadryl Kapseals (Parke-Davis) Benylin Cough Syrup [*] (Parke-Davis) Bydramine Cough Syrup [*] (Major) Compoz [*] (Jeffrey Martin) Diphen Cough Syrup [*] (My-K Lab) diphenhydramine hydrochloride (various manufacturers) Dormarex 2 [*] (Republic) Hydramine [*] (Goldline) Nervine Nighttime Sleep Aid [*] (Miles) Nordryl (Vortech) Nytol [*] (Block) Sleep-Eze 3 [*] (Whitehall) Sominex 2 [*] (Beecham) Tusstat (Century) Twilite [*] (Pfeiffer) Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid (Leeming) * Available over-the-counter (without a prescription) TYPE OF DRUG Antihistamine and sedative/hypnotic INGREDIENT diphenhydramine DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (50 mg) Capsules (25 mg and 50 mg) Elixir (12.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 14% alcohol) Oral syrup (12.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 5% alcohol) STORAGE Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Diphenhydramine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines (antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical that is released by the body during an allergic reaction). It is, therefore, used to treat or prevent symptoms of allergy. It is also used to treat motion sickness and Parkinson's disease, and it is used as a nighttime sleeping aid and nonnarcotic cough suppressant. TREATMENT To avoid stomach upset, take diphenhydramine with food, milk, or water (unless your doctor directs you otherwise). The elixir and oral syrup forms of this medication should be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary teaspoon is not accurate enough. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; headache; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; stomach upset; or unusual increase in sweating. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen. If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so). To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about changes in menstruation, clumsiness, difficult or painful urination, feeling faint, flushing of the face, hallucinations, palpitations, ringing or buzzing in the ears, rash, seizures, shortness of breath, sleeping disorders, sore throat or fever, tightness in the chest, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness. INTERACTIONS Diphenhydramine interacts with several other types of medications: 1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness. 2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) can increase the side effects of this medication. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. 3. Diphenhydramine can also interfere with the activity of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) and decrease their effectiveness. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Be sure to tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to diphenhydramine or to any other antihistamine (such as astemizole, azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, phenidamine, promethazine, pyrilamine, terfenadine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and triprolidine). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease. * Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous equipment, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of diphenhydramine pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or irritability in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.