Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride
Generic name: Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride
Uses of Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride:
- It is used to ease allergy signs.
- It is used to relieve coughing.
- It is used to thin mucus so it can be taken from the body by coughing.
- It is used to help motion sickness.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride?
For all patients taking diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride:
- If you are allergic to diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride; any part of diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
- If you have bladder or prostate problems.
- If you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
- If you have asthma.
- If you have ever had stomach or bowel ulcers.
- If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
- If you have rare hereditary health problems like glucose-galactose malabsorption, fructose intolerance, or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. Some products have sucrose.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride.
Children:
- If your child is a premature baby or is a newborn. Do not give diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride to a premature baby or a newborn.
- If your child is younger than 6 years of age. Do not give diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride to a child younger than 6 years of age.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
- Do not take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride affects you.
- Do not use with other products that have diphenhydramine.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride.
- Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
- This medicine may affect allergy skin tests. Be sure your doctor and lab workers know you take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride.
- If you are 65 or older, use diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride with care. You could have more side effects.
- Different brands of diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before giving diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride to a child.
- Do not use to make a child sleepy. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride while you are pregnant.
How is this medicine (Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride) best taken?
Use diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride.
- Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- If you take diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- Many times diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Change in balance.
- Cough that does not go away.
- Not able to pass urine.
- Blurred eyesight.
What are some other side effects of Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling sleepy.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Thickening of mucus in nose or throat.
- Dry mouth.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Diphenhydramine and Ammonium Chloride?
- Store in the original container at room temperature.
- Protect from light.
- Protect from heat.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about diphenhydramine and ammonium chloride, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.