For generations, benadryl (diphenhydramine) has been a reliable allergy drug. Sitting in the granny’s medicine cabinet is pink pills, quick fixes for sneezing, sudden rashes, or falling asleep. However, as our understanding of allergies and drug therapy evolved, it has become clear that it is time for most people to move on from Benadril.
Simple Disclaimer: I am not your doctor. This should not be considered direct medical advice. Discuss specific questions with your personal doctor.
Benadryl is known as the first generation antihistamines because it was one of the earliest antihistamines invented in the 1940s. Its main mechanism of action is to block the histamine released during an allergic reaction.
However, histamine has other functions, such as helping you stay awake, and benadril can easily enter the brain and make you feel sleepy. The medicine can remain in your body and cause sleepiness for hours. That’s why the FAA won’t allow pilots to fly 60 hours After taking Benadril. It could also damage you Driving performance.
Many people may get sleepy after taking Benadril, 10-15% of children There may be opposite side effects known as “paradoxical excitation.” Instead of sedation, people like these children experience agitation, restlessness, overactivity, insomnia, and/or irritability.
this is, Metabolizes the drug Faster. This leads to the accumulation of more excitable molecules.
Risk and why not sleep aid?
Benadryl is not merely antihistamine, but also has anticholinergic properties. This means it can block the brain’s neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This is an important chemical involved in memory and learning functions. There are potential concerns Chronic Use Anticholinergic drugs may increase Risk of developing dementia. However, further research is needed to understand the potential risks.
Also, if you have seen products like Zzzquil, which are used as sleep aids, they often contain diphenhydramine as the active ingredient. Medications help people fall asleep faster, but they don’t necessarily improve the quality of sleep.
People who take Benadril for sleep may have a Significant increase in REM latency. It is the time from falling asleep to the first period (REM) of rapid eye movement. This means that there will be less REM during sleep sessions, causing a decrease in recovering sleep. Therefore, benadril should not be used regularly as a sleep aid.
The fastest Bena Drill? Not that fast
Benadryl has a reputation for working faster than the new second-generation antihistamines, as it has become a popular name. New drugs include claritin (loratadine), allegra (fexofenadine), ziltech (cetirizine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine). However, this turned out to be a myth.
An example is a study The title “Comparison of cetirizine and diphenhydramine in the treatment of acute food allergic reactions” is Pediatrics 2011. This randomized, double-blind trial compared ziltech (cetirizine) and benadryl (diphenhydramine) in treating and in treating oral food task allergic reactions in children aged 3 to 19 years old.
Findings show that Zyrtec is as effective as benadril in managing allergic symptoms, adding the added benefit of less sedation. It takes both Zyrtec and Benadryl to work, about 15-30 minutes.
Second-generation antihistamines also have significantly fewer side effects than benadryl or other first-generation antihistamines. Newer drugs generally do not have anticholinergic side effects. Overdose of second-generation antihistamines is unlikely.
However, there are concerns about toxicity in Benadril. There was an ongoing “Benadrill Challenge” in 2020. FDA Warn people against taking high-dose benadril.
When it comes to food allergies, it must be emphasized that epinephrine is the only first-line drug for treating severe food allergic reactions (or anaphylaxis). A mild food reaction, for example Hives and itchingyour doctor may say that antihistamines are enough. But again, allergies prefer second-generation antihistamines over benadryl.
However, if you or your food allergic child begins to experience symptoms that involve multiple body systems (skin, gastrointestinal, breathing, heart), don’t hesitate. Then it’s time for epinephrine.
Rethink Benadryl: Talk to your MD
Are there any exceptions to Benadrill now? of course. For example, in an emergency room setting, people may not be able to take medications by mouth and may need an intravenous route. In that case, benadryl is a normal option as second-generation antihistamistamine properties in intravenous preparations are not usually available. This decision should also be made between you and your doctor.
So why is Benadrill still so popular? It is partly habit, partly marketing, partly cost. This drug has been around for a long time, so many may assume that Benadril is safe and effective. However, our understanding of these drugs has changed.
If you’re reaching for the Benadrill, it’s time to rethink. For most people, the benefits of second-generation antihistamines are similar to benadryl, with fewer side effects. Consult your doctor about new, safer antihistamines.
This post is intended for general education purposes only and raises awareness of both patients and healthcare professionals.
A prolific communicator on allergies and medical topics, Dr. Zachary Rubin is dual board certified in Allergy/Immunology and Pediatrics. Follow his widely read report Subsack Check out his account and his videos Instagram or Tiktok.
Related readings:
Dr. Rubin’s Take: Nothing Like a Hypoallergenic Dog
Research: Families struggling with “when to use it”
