Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Dosage, side effects, uses, and more - Medical News Today
You may wonder how Benadryl compares to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Below are comparisons between Benadryl and several medications.
Benadryl vs. Claritin
Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine. Claritin (loratadine) is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. The second-generation antihistamines are often called nonsedating antihistamines because they're less likely to cause sleepiness compared to first-generation antihistamines.
Both Benadryl and Claritin are over-the-counter medications.
Uses
Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose. Benadryl products that are topical (applied to the skin) are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin caused by things such as hives and insect bites.
Claritin is approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies.
Drug forms
Benadryl comes in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid solution
- topical cream
- topical gel
- topical spray
- topical stick
Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical products are typically used up to 4 times daily.
Claritin is also available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- orally disintegrating tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral liquid syrup
Claritin tablets, liquid-filled capsules, and syrup are taken once daily. The orally disintegrating tablets are used either once daily or twice daily.
Side effects and risks
Benadryl and Claritin have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.
* Both Benadryl and Claritin can cause sleepiness, but it's much more common in people who take Benadryl.
Effectiveness
Benadryl and Claritin are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, and for treating hives or itchy skin. However, Benadryl isn't usually a first-choice treatment for these conditions due to its risk of side effects such as sleepiness.
Claritin and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred.
Costs
Benadryl and Claritin are both brand-name, over-the-counter products. Claritin usually costs more than Benadryl.
Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions.
Benadryl vs. Zyrtec
Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine. Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. The second-generation antihistamines are often called nonsedating antihistamines because they're less likely to cause sleepiness compared to first-generation antihistamines.
Both Benadryl and Zyrtec are over-the-counter medications.
Uses
Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose. Benadryl products that are topical (applied to the skin) are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin due to hives, insect bites, and other causes.
Zyrtec is approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies.
Drug forms
Benadryl is available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid solution
- topical cream
- topical gel
- topical spray
- topical stick
Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical Benadryl products are typically used up to 4 times daily.
Zyrtec is also available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- orally disintegrating tablets (dissolve tabs)
- oral liquid gels
- oral liquid syrup
Zyrtec products are usually taken once daily.
Side effects and risks
Benadryl and Zyrtec have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.
* Both Benadryl and Zyrtec can cause sleepiness, but it's more common in people who take Benadryl.
Effectiveness
Benadryl and Zyrtec are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, and for treating hives or itchy skin. However, Benadryl isn't usually a first-choice for these conditions because of its risk of side effects such as sleepiness. Zyrtec and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred.
Costs
Benadryl and Zyrtec are both brand-name over-the-counter products. Zyrtec usually costs more than Benadryl.
Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions.
Benadryl vs. Allegra
Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine. Allegra (fexofenadine) is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. The second-generation antihistamines are often called nonsedating antihistamines because they're less likely to cause sleepiness compared to first-generation antihistamines.
Both Benadryl and Allegra are over-the-counter medications.
Uses
Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose. Benadryl products that are topical (applied to the skin) are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin due to hives, insect bites, and other causes.
Allegra is approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and itchy skin caused by hives, insect bites, and other causes.
Drug forms
Benadryl is available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid solution
- topical cream
- topical gel
- topical spray
- topical stick
Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical Benadryl products are typically used up to 4 times daily.
Allegra is also available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- orally disintegrating tablets (meltable tablets)
- oral gel-coated tablets (gelcaps)
- oral liquid suspension
Allegra products are taken once or twice daily.
Side effects and risks
Benadryl and Allegra have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.
Effectiveness
Benadryl and Allegra are both effective for reducing symptoms of hay fever and other allergies and for treating hives or itchy skin. However, Benadryl isn't usually a first-choice for these conditions because of the risk of side effects such as sleepiness. Allegra and other second-generation antihistamines are usually preferred.
Costs
Benadryl and Allegra are both brand-name, over-the-counter products. Allegra usually costs more than Benadryl.
Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions.
Benadryl vs. Unisom
Benadryl contains the ingredient diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine.
There are different forms of Unisom. Most of these also contain the ingredient diphenhydramine. However, one Unisom product contains a similar drug, doxylamine.
Uses
Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose. Benadryl products that are topical (applied to the skin) are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin due to hives, insect bites, and other causes.
Although it's not approved for this purpose, some people take Benadryl to help improve their sleep.
Unisom is approved for helping relieve occasional sleeplessness. It's not intended to be used to treat ongoing or long-term insomnia (trouble sleeping).
Drug forms
Benadryl is available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid solution
- topical cream
- topical gel
- topical spray
- topical stick
Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical Benadryl products are typically used up to 4 times daily. Oral Benadryl products aren't approved for sleeplessness, but some people take oral Benadryl once before bedtime for that purpose.
There are also several forms of Unisom products. These include:
- diphenhydramine-containing products:
- oral softgels (SleepGels)
- oral mini capsules (SleepMinis)
- oral liquid
- orally disintegrating tablets (SleepMelts)
- doxylamine-contain product:
- oral tablets (SleepTabs)
These products are usually taken once daily just before bedtime or at bedtime.
Side effects and risks
Benadryl and most Unisom products contain the same ingredient, diphenhydramine. One form of Unisom contains a different ingredient, doxylamine. Doxylamine is very similar to diphenhydramine and causes very similar common and serious side effects.
The most common side effects of Benadryl and Unisom include:
- headache
- dizziness
- weakness
- dry mouth
- sleepiness
Some serious side effects can include:
- decreased memory
- impaired thinking
- confusion
- impaired driving
- seizures
- fast heartbeat
- dementia
Effectiveness
Benadryl and most forms of Unisom contain the same active ingredient, diphenhydramine. Both products can help with falling asleep in people with occasional sleeplessness. This effect may decrease or wear off with continued use.
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Costs
Benadryl and Unisom are both brand-name over-the-counter products. These products usually cost about the same.
Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions.
Benadryl vs. melatonin
Benadryl contains the ingredient diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine.
Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body. It's involved in regulating the wake-sleep cycle of the body. It's available as a dietary supplement.
Uses
Oral Benadryl products are approved for decreasing symptoms of hay fever and other respiratory allergies, and symptoms of the common cold such as sneezing and runny nose. Benadryl products that are topical (applied to the skin) are approved for decreasing pain and itchy skin due to hives, insect bites, and other causes.
Although it's not approved, some people take oral Benadryl to help improve their sleep.
Melatonin is most commonly used to help relieve sleeplessness.
Drug forms
Benadryl is available in many different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral liquid-filled capsules (liqui-gels)
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid solution
- topical cream
- topical gel
- topical spray
- topical stick
Oral Benadryl products are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. Topical Benadryl products are typically used up to 4 times daily. Oral Benadryl products aren't approved for sleeplessness, but some people take oral Benadryl once before bedtime for that purpose.
Melatonin is also available in different forms, including:
- oral tablets
- oral gummies
- orally dissolving tablets (fast-dissolving tablets)
- oral capsules
- oral chewable tablets
- oral liquid
Melatonin is usually taken once daily at bedtime.
Side effects and risks
Benadryl and melatonin have some similar side effects, and some that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.
Effectiveness
Benadryl can help with falling asleep in people with occasional sleeplessness. However, this effect may decrease or wear off with continued use of the product.
In an
According to the
Costs
Melatonin usually costs more than Benadryl.
Both of these products have store-brand versions. Store brands are usually cheaper than the brand-name versions.
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