Benadryl for Allergic Reactions User Reviews

Benadryl has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 21 reviews for the treatment of Allergic Reactions. 57% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.

Benadryl rating summary

7.0/10 average rating

21 ratings from 25 user reviews.

Compare all 75 medications used in the treatment of Allergic Reactions.

10		33%
9		14%
8		10%
7		5%
6		14%
5		0%
4		5%
3		0%
2		0%
1		19%

Reviews for Benadryl

Just...
Taken for less than 1 month
May 9, 2020

"This is an old thread but thought I would share. I was in the hospital in labor. I developed a reaction to the epidural that caused severe itchiness. They gave me something that didn't help and after several hours of itching, a nurse gave me iv benedryl. I immediately couldn't breathe and felt like someone kicked me in the chest. I was warm all over, nauseous and on the edge of passing out. An ekg also showed I had a heart arrhythmia from it. I've taken oral benadryl in the past with no problems. Now it's on my list of allergies and I tell every doc I see. Most terrifying experience."

1 / 10

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33 Report

Amensus
Taken for 10 years or more
April 28, 2016

"I take one before bed which keeps me breathing easily during the night despite my allergies. It also helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. The active ingredient, dyphenhydramine HCL, you will find is the main ingredient in quite a few over the counter sleep medications so that should tell us something. And Benadryl or a generic drugstore brand are cheaper and just as effective. Have been taking this for over 20 years and have no side effects"

9 / 10

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43 Report

Anonymous
August 10, 2021

"Took benadryl for eight months on advice of PCP and Pulmonary specialist. I quit taking it because I began having short term memory problems. Checked it out on internet and found it should not be given to senior citizens. A neurologist at University Of North Carolina Memory Disorders unit said it should probably not be given to anyone as there are safer alternatives. I had nervous breakdown and spent several days in a mental hospital. Had two MRIs of my brain. Second showed small area that was due to the Diaphenhydramine use. Alienated my family because of things I said . Without the Benadryl I wouldn't be the most heart-broken 74 yr. old lady around."

1 / 10

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18 Report

Frequently asked questions

Nic
Taken for less than 1 month
October 19, 2020

"Received Benadryl via IV in prep for a biologic infusion. My throat starting swelling and my blood pressure skyrocketed. An immunologist tested me, and I showed strongly allergic to Benadryl, so it can happen."

1 / 10

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19 Report

use...
October 28, 2014

"I was given Benadryl at the hospital for an allergic reaction. It instantly shot my heart rate up to 217 bpm and instantly my mouth got dry I couldn't swallow my chest felt hot like an elephant was sitting on it and I got really cold. It put me into shock my body wouldn't stop shaking, I could breath. It was so scary I thought I was dead thanks to the doctors quick response he saved me but it almost killed me. "

8 / 10

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38 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Anonymous
October 23, 2010

"I like this medicine, but unfortunately developed an allergy to it, yes contrary to ANYONE'S belief I AM allergic to Benadryl. My legs started to get really, really hot and felt like I just had to stretch them and run them under freezing cold water, then I woke up with hives all over."

6 / 10

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44 Report

Son...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 15, 2016

"My adult size teenage son was given Benadryl IV, 50mg, *along with Compazine IV as a "headache cocktail" in an emergency room in September of 2016. While there is no way to know for certain if Compazine or Benadryl caused the severe reaction he experienced, he has tolerated oral Benadryl just fine in the past. However, it seems important to share our experience based on the severity of his reaction that day and that multiple reports of similar exist. I do not recommend the "headache cocktail" of Benadryl and Compazine together and hope the number of similar reports are looked into."

6 / 10

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28 Report

More FAQ

Rosie...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
November 24, 2021

"So I've been taking this going on 2 years now, and I regret taking it so long, I even ended up in the ER because my heart wouldn't stop racing it was over 170. I believe it was due to the Benadryl, I ignored the side effect before I noticed sometimes when I took it my heart would beat funny and it would be hard to catch my breathe but I kept taking it as it stopped my itchy throat, eyes, and mouth. Doctors at the ER found arrhythmia but said everything else looked fine. I stopped taking it, haven't take it in a week and I'm still having racing heart and palpations. Don't take this stuff long term. I'm in my early 20s and healthy if any one reading this was curious."

6 / 10

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12 Report

Anonymous
October 20, 2009

"A little known and rare side effect of this drug is a condition that would probably be called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This describes a serious depletion of platelets in the blood. The blood will not clot properly and an injury can be life threatening due to uncontrolled bleeding. It's rare but if it happens and the cause is not figured out by your physician(s) this is a big problem."

1 / 10

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41 Report

Connert
April 26, 2017

"I have no rest every time I take benadryl. I feel I have a really bad reaction as I feel restless, my body feels like itchy, nauseous and it makes me feel angry feeling restless it really hurts my stomach am I allergic to it? or it a bad reaction"

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21 Report

marlene
Taken for 10 years or more
June 14, 2018

"I've used this and given it to my children for over 20 years. My teenage son would take 1 before going to bed so he could sleep without allergic reactions. I've used it for unknown allergies like bee stings and sunless tanner. Works great and so does the topical cream. No adverse affects with us."

10 / 10

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13 Report

Jen
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
May 12, 2012

"I use this medicine for weather allergies and allergies to medications when I need it. It does help greatly but does not last long and my burning sensation comes back into my body and the hives start to show. However a lot of people say that this medicine makes them feel sedated. I have the complete opposite I take 1 before bed and I will not sleep."

8 / 10

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20 Report

Robert
February 1, 2024

"I had a headache attack in June of 2023 and a seizure and had to be put in the hospital. They gave me Ativan, Benadryl, and IV Tylenol as a headache cocktail and it worked like a dream! After 5 days in the hospital, I was all better after that nasty headache."

9 / 10

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1 Report

Talv
July 3, 2021

"I took over the counter Benadryl for some minor reason and hours later I started itching all over my body. The itch was deeply intense from my scalp to my feet - a full body reaction. I started getting visible large hives and my throat and face was swelling. I went to the ER and they said it was impossible that I was allergic to Benadryl. The ER doctor was certain I was having a reaction to the pink dye in the pill. He injected me with clear liquid Benadryl to prove this to me. I immediately had a second reaction. They had to treat me with alternative medications; an injection in my bottom, prednisone to help with breathing and another green pill of some sort to take home with me. I am allergic to Benadryl."

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5 Report

Aller...
March 14, 2012

"Works well and is one of my to go-to antihistamines. However it is very sedating and is also not long-lasting. It would work great for someone with insomnia as a milder sleep-aid, but for my use I would say that it works, but makes you sedated."

7 / 10

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14 Report

Madam
January 25, 2016

"Allergy reaction to nuts. Started feeling swelling around mouth, throat.... very scary, feel like I am stopping to breath. This instant relieve. Give it 10-15 minutes till kicks in. WORKS WONDERS. BUT.... you might need a good snooze after a good dose..."

10 / 10

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10 Report

The...
September 4, 2020

"Benadryl is the Gold Standard for allergies, anxiolysis, and sleeping aid. It works like a charm! It is not particularly fast acting, though. I usually take a half a tablet(12.5 mg) at a time and it can take up to an hour to really kick in."

10 / 10

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2 Report

Bitsy...
Taken for less than 1 month
June 24, 2021

"I had been to the doctor for hives for insect bite and they told me to use Benadryl cream and medicine, but it didn't help. I used calamine lotion, and everything else I could think of even cortisone 10 extra strength it didn't help. I went to the doctor for the 2nd time they told me to use the same thing, no help at all. I was itching so bad the hives were spreading even the itching and burning sensations to my arm, ankles, burning feeling in my fingers and hives spreading to my chest. I couldn't help but scratch them sometimes that probably caused to help spread, but I couldn't help it. I went to see another doctor for the 3rd time and he prescribed Prednisone and Hydroxyzine and this is my 2nd day taking them and I see a great difference. My arms and everything clearing up and I finally could rest.. I recommend Prednisone. I give it a 10."

10 / 10

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0 Report

Anonymous
Taken for 10 years or more
February 6, 2018

"If you have problems with Benadryl, try the dye free one. I'm wildly allergic to FD&C Red #40 and must use dye free. Dye free works well for me."

9 / 10

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22 Report

bruh
Taken for less than 1 month
October 4, 2021

"its making my heart race and making me feel soooooooooo weird and my sore throat didn't go away and I still feel bad"

4 / 10

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5 Report

Aller...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
April 20, 2016

"Best drug for me to wake up with good sleep and not have a headache. I have used it for 8 years for allergies (itchy eyes, bug reactions) and my house always has it in stock. Love the drug!"

10 / 10

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10 Report

Anonymous
April 16, 2010

"Made me fall asleep. Makes me way too tired."

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14 Report

benny...
Taken for 10 years or more
May 22, 2012

"Relieves most allergy symptoms."

10 / 10

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11 Report

Howie
Taken for less than 1 month
September 16, 2021

"Stops the itch by making you sleeply. After half hour I end up falling asleep and not having any itching needs."

10 / 10

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1 Report

Anonymous
September 25, 2021

"This medicine didn’t work for my husband like it claims it does"

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0 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.