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(More customer reviews)Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used to block histamine release in the body. Histamine causes all manner of allergy symptoms: stuffy or runny nose, sinus inflammation, scratchy throat, itching, and hives.
Diphenhydramine is the ingredient in Benadryl, although Benadryl will cost much more than diphenydramine, since Benadryl is a brand-name drug. It is important to realize that both forms are equally equivalent in efficacy. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase the generic equivalent.
A major side effect of diphenhydramine is sedation/drowsiness. It will definately make you tired and sleepy. However, this side effect can be used as an advantage, as the medication can also be marketed as a sleeping aid. It will help you fall asleep faster and generally acts all night long. In fact, many people report a "hangover" morning effect from taking diphenhydramine the night before.
Thus, diphenhydramine has two main uses: that as an allergy medication and as a sleeping aid. Companies often add diphenhydramine to their analgesic products, such as Tylenol, to give both pain relief and a sleeping aid (Tylenol PM).
Diphenhydramine has other troubling side-effects that bear mentioning. First, is should not be used in those with narrow-angle glaucoma, or anyone with stomach problems, such as continual stomach upset or ulcers of the stomach. Second, diphenhydramine can cause a retention of urine, especially in those that have an enlarged prostate. Anyone with prostate problems should avoid diphenhydramine like the plaque. Don't take diphenhydramine with any other depressants, as the effects are additive. The same holds true for alcohol; don't take both at the same time.
The usual adult dosage is 25-50 mg, 3-4 times a day. Use the lowest effective dose to treat your symptoms. Pregnant women should avoid any antihistamines, as the medication has been known to cause birth defects.
While this is a great medication for allergies, there are better, newer antihistamines that do not produce the drowsiness that diphenhydramine does. (check out Claritin as a better, but more costly substitute).
Jim "Konedog" Koenig
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Diphenhydramine HCl 25 Mg Allergy Medicine and Antihistamine Compare to Active Ingredient of Benadryl® Allergy Generic - 400 Tablets
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