5 serious side effects of Benadryl doctors say you shouldn’t ignore

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), an antihistamine used to relieve allergies and symptoms of colds, can cause serious side effects, especially when they are badly taken.

A new review published in the Diary of the organization of global allergies Exhort a reassessment of drug safety, arguing that his risks are now prevailing on his advantages.

Benadryl’s documented side effects

According to the journal, Diphenhydramine (the active ingredient of Benadryl) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1946, long before the more rigorous drug test standards today.

Since then, serious side effects – including sedation and altered concentration – have become well documented. Meanwhile, new antihistamines with safer profiles, such as Allegra (Fexofenadine), are now widely available.

“The authors rightly note that Diphenhydramine, like other over -the -counter drugs, is often considered as a self -confident medicine ‘by consumers. However, like all drugs, which can be severe in some cases,” said Kelly Johnson. Verywell in an email.

Diphenhydramine has also been linked to potentially fatal side effects, and should only be used as indicated on the packaging label, she added.

Here are some of the serious potential side effects.

1. Sedation

Benadryl is sometimes used as a sleep help for insomnia, but people who take the medication for other reasons may feel sleepy. It is not recommended to drive after taking Benadryl, and according to older research, it can have a worse effect on driving than alcohol for some people.

“Even if diphenhydramine is an attractive drug, this can cause paradoxical agitation in some people, and children are particularly at risk of developing this side effect,” said Johnson-Arbor.

2. Hallucinations and cognitive disorders

Benadryl can cause headache and dizziness. People who take too much Benadryl can feel confusion or hallucinations.

“The chronic use of first generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, is also linked to an increased risk of dementia,” said Johnson-Arbor.

3. Vision problems

Benadryl can cause blurred vision and dry eyes. People with glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that cause optic nerve lesions, are invited to consult a trusted health care provider before taking Benadryl because this medication can trigger eye pain, misty vision or other problems.

4. Difficulty urinating or a painful urination

Some people may have bladder problems when taking Benadryl. It is recommended that you immediately consult a trusted health care provider if you have trouble urinating while taking this medication.

5. Overdose

Taking large doses of Benadryl can cause serious side effects such as cardiac arrest, a coma, convulsions and death. Several people have died in recent years after taking too much from this medication as part of the Tiktok “Benadryl Challenge”.

“Even taking slightly more than the recommended doses of Diphenhydramine can lead to drowsiness, confusion and concentration difficulties, especially in children and older adults,” said Johnson-Arbor.

What can you take instead of Benadryl?

First generation oral antihistamines, like Benadryl, cross the blood-brain barrier and can cause drowsiness and make it more difficult to concentrate. More recent oral antihistamines do not cross the blood-brain barrier as easily.

These second generation antihistamines could be better alternatives to Benadryl, in particular:

“These more recent and safer options are preferred, and they work for most people, without drowsiness or cognitive risks,” Testwell Clifford Bassett told Nyu Langone Health.

Bassett added that people who need help to manage chronic symptoms should speak with a health care provider, such as an allergist, to identify triggers and determine the safest drugs for their needs.