Benadryl Uses
For years, the antihistamine Benadryl (or its generic counterpart diphenhydramine) has been used in children and adults to relieve itching and reduce swelling caused by allergies and allergic reactions. Benadryl is less popular today because there are newer, non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Claritin (Loratidine) that can effectively treat symptoms without causing drowsiness. Diphenhydramine can also be used to control abnormal movements in people with early-stage Parkinson’s and people who are experiencing movement problems that are a side effect of medication.
Drowsiness
One of the most common side effects of Benadryl and similar medications is drowsiness. There are warning labels on these medications informing people that they should not drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how the drug will make them feel. If your child needs to take an antihistamine that causes drowsiness, monitor their behavior closely, and be sure that they remain safe.
Safety
Like many medicines, antihistamines are dosed according to weight in young children, and giving a child too large a dose can be dangerous. Drowsiness is a common side effect of antihistamines such as Benadryl but some children experience the opposite effect. Benadryl can cause some children to be hyperactive.
Risk of Death
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from diphenhydramine increased between 2011 and 2016. However, these statistics are not specific to a single age range. If you are concerned that your child has a sleep problem, talk to your pediatrician. If a child has a condition like sleep apnea they will need to be evaluated and treated by a sleep specialist.
Signs of Overdose
If a person (a child or adult) takes too much Benadryl, they might have certain symptoms. Common symptoms of a diphenhydramine overdose include
AgitationBlurred visionConfusionDepressionDifficult to wake or arouseDry eyesDry mouthDry, red skinEnlarged pupilsHallucinationsInability to urinateLow blood pressureNervousnessRapid heartbeatRinging in the earsSeizures or convulsionsTremors/shaking
Preventing Overdose
If your child needs medication, make sure that all of your child’s caregivers—including the adults at daycare, the babysitter, and grandparents—know how to appropriately give your child their medication. This includes how much to give and when to give it. Before giving your child a new medicine—even one that is over-the-counter (OTC)—make sure you talk to your pediatrician. They can help you understand if it is safe to give your child, whether this is the right way to treat your child’s symptoms, and how much to give and how often to give it.
A Word From Verywell
Benadryl is a familiar OTC medication that in the past was used to treat symptoms related to seasonal allergies and hives, but it is not as popular as it once was because newer antihistamines (such as Zyrtec) provide longer-lasting symptom relief without sedation. Research has shown that Benadryl is effective at treating mild allergic symptoms like hives and itching, but newer antihistamines are more effective, provide longer symptom relief, and won’t cause drowsiness. You should only give a child Benadryl if your pediatrician tells you to. If your child needs to have any medication, including OTC products, make sure that all caregivers who are tasked with giving a dose are in communication. If more than one adult is giving a child medication, they might inadvertently give too many doses. While an overdose of drugs like Benadryl is rare, it can be serious. You should never give a child a medication like Benadryl to make them sleepy. If your child has difficulty sleeping, talk to your pediatrician. They might want to refer your child to a specialist for diagnostic testing and treatment.
