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Diphenhydramine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Benadryl, Banophen, ZzzQuil, Benadryl Allergy, Diphen, Sominex, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Calm-Aid, Unisom SleepGels, Diphenydramine Quick Melt, Diphenhist, Hydramine Cough Syrup, Nytol, Diphedryl, Beldin, Dytan, Dytuss, Dormin, Snooze Fast, Sominex Maximum Strength Caplet, Unisom SleepMinis, Unisom Liquid, ConRx Allergy, Dicopanol, Buckley's Bedtime, Hyrexin, Bydramine, Diphen AF, Diphen Cough, DPH, Aler-Dryl, Allergia-C, Benahist-10, Benahist-50, Benoject-50, Diphenadryl, Genahist, Aller-G-Time, Sleep Tab II, Nytol QuickCaps, Trux-adryl, Valu-Dryl, Diphenyl, Altaryl, Belix, Vicks QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief, Hydramine, Silphen Cough, Diphenylin, Hydramine Compound, Nytol Caplet, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Sleepinal, Help I Can't Sleep, Allermax Diphendryl Twilite Banaril Aler-Tab Siladryl Allergy Sleep-ettes D Diphenmax Ben-Tann Vanamine PD Pharbedryl Histaprin Z-Sleep Aurodryl Children's Allergy Unisom SleepMelts Simply Sleep Complete Allergy Relief Miles Nervine Scot-Tussin Allergy Sleepwell 2-nite …show all brand names

Diphenhydramine has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 523 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 40% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Diphenhydramine

  • Jus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 9, 2020

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Allergic Reactions "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 Benadryl. 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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36 Report
  • Sue...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 12, 2019

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I took the tablets at 11 PM and am typing this at 3:19 AM. They seem to have had the opposite effect on me and are keeping me awake. It usually takes me about an hour to get off to sleep, and then I'm up several times in the night, so I thought I would give them a go, but I'm wide awake and feel absolutely alert. Needless to say, I won't be taking any more of them."

1 / 10
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38 Report
  • Mar...
  • June 5, 2016

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Nausea/Vomiting "I had a couple of surgeries on my jaw where I could not open it fully for an extended period of time. I am already semi-allergic to pain meds/anesthesia (excessive vomiting and nausea), so I was terrified to take my painkillers after surgery. The nurse/doctor recommended taking a couple of Benadryl tablets (25 mg) before the pain meds, and it worked wonders! The only side effect is drowsiness."

10 / 10
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52 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Lev...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 25, 2020

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I take Nytol on nights I really can't get to sleep. My experience is that they don't work very fast, but when they do, I sleep pretty soundly. Unfortunately, the result in the morning is that I feel like I have a hangover, and I often sleep through my alarms."

4 / 10
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  • EDD...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 17, 2021

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "First off, I read the instructions on the box, which says two things! Firstly, you can take one an hour before you go to bed (mistake), as it won't work that fast and you're even more awake because you're waiting for the effects! Now, the second point they make is much more advisable, where you take one probably around, I would say, 6 PM, as it gives your body much more time to acclimatize to the product. For me, I only took one just before I went to bed, but it's much more of a delayed reaction, so I found that I was quite groggy the next day (mistake). So, it definitely works, and I had a few funny dreams, but who cares? Probably try not to lay in bed too much when night becomes day and get yourself into a good pattern, as you will be trying to overcompensate with Nytol."

10 / 10
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28 Report

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  • jas...
  • January 31, 2021

ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I suffer from depression and anxiety, so I also have insomnia. I know you don't want to read too much, lol, so I'm going to cut it short. I've had this around the house for a while, and finally, I decided to try it 15-20 minutes ago, and I literally can already feel it. Honestly, it has me feeling amazing, just like other reviews. If you're deciding on trying it, DO IT."

10 / 10
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  • ast...
  • February 28, 2013

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I absolutely love Sominex. It works so great I fall asleep pretty fast and stay asleep, which is so fantastic. Sometimes I wake up in the same position I fell asleep in. When I wake up, it takes a few minutes, but once you start moving around, you are fine."

9 / 10
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61 Report

More FAQ

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 11, 2018

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Benadryl really helps take the sinus pressure away, and I found out recently it even worked best for my migraine. Out of Tylenol and Motrin, Benadryl was the only one to knock it out. It does cause me dry mouth and drowsiness. It also helps to calm me when I feel a panic attack or anxiety coming on. I'd rather take Benadryl than psych meds or all kinds of prescription meds any day. I hope it stays working wonders for me because Claritin and Flonase did nothing for me, and I don't want to have to try anything else."

10 / 10
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  • M1k...
  • March 6, 2008

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "Sominex is a great mild sedative. Although it does have a bit of a hangover effect in the morning, this typically only lasts an hour or so. I've been taking this stuff nightly for about a week and it's the best over-the-counter stuff you can get for sleep."

8 / 10
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74 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 13, 2017

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I have been using Sominex for a long time. I asked my GP about it, and he would rather I take it than prescribe me sleeping tabs. It works well for me. I take it at least an hour before bed, fall asleep easily, and can still wake up for the bathroom and go straight back to sleep. I feel fine upon waking with no aftereffects, a great over-the-counter product."

9 / 10
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41 Report
  • Shy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 27, 2020

ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I have been having a lot of issues with falling asleep lately, my sleepy time tea stopped working, so I was looking for a non-habit-forming sleeping aid. So I tried ZzzQuil. DOES NOT WORK!.. Was really disappointed... Actually, it woke me up even more, or I laid super restless for hours after taking."

1 / 10
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28 Report
  • jen...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 22, 2023

ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "Beware!!! Had the worst night of my life. Hallucinated and ended up calling 911 to get to the hospital. My doctor confirmed it is the worst over-the-counter hallucinogen on the market. I have no idea how this is still available."

1 / 10
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  • Ame...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 28, 2016

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Allergic Reactions "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, diphenhydramine 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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44 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 3, 2019

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I’m the type of person to be terrified to try new drugs, always read up on the reviews, etc. So I took half of this Sominex pill. I’ve taken it 3 times now. Before taking this pill, I would have nightmares constantly, wake up 3 or 4 times in the night, and sometimes stay awake. After taking half of the Sominex pill, my nightmares have gone :) and I manage to sleep uninterrupted through the night, maybe wake up to wee or wake up once or so. You do feel a bit groggy in the morning, but that’s because it’s still in your system, it takes around 12 or 13 hours to get out of your system, so just take it in good time :) Try it on a day off if you’re worried."

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29 Report
  • Leo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 9, 2020

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "Worked well for me. You have to be tired anyway, so get some exercise, cut some caffeine, and take a Nytol. Maybe they won’t knock you out like a Valium or others, but they give you a gentle push in the right direction. Once you get to sleep, you remain asleep. Well, I did anyway."

10 / 10
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23 Report
  • Nei...
  • March 23, 2021

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I took Nytol for the first time after months of a lack of sleep and always feeling tired. Worst thing I could have tried. Seems this acts as a stimulant for me, because I couldn’t sleep all night and was wide awake, tossing and turning. Now I’m even more tired. Won’t be trying them again."

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • Yes...
  • March 26, 2013

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I have taken Sominex for a few days now and still wake up after 2-3 hours of sleep and can't get back to sleep again. I am so tired. Yet I can fall asleep in the chair really easily in the day. I was hoping Sominex would work, but so far it really hasn't."

4 / 10
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49 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 10, 2021

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

1 / 10
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19 Report
  • Man...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 8, 2019

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I usually take prescribed medication from the GP, due to constant pain. On asking for medication to sleep from the doctor, she recommended Nytol - got the absolute best night's sleep, the first in a long, long time of never-ending sleepless nights. I think you have to believe the meds are going to work for it to work. I read the reviews about the product being useless. I totally disagree, Nytol Blue suits me fine."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 7, 2012

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Cough "Variant asthma, chronic, have been on many antihistamines and other costly asthma medicines over the years. I began taking Benadryl in late November 2011. Taking 25 mg after awakening in the morning, followed an hour or so later with 25 mg, with another 25 mg early afternoon (when symptoms occur) and 25 mg prior to bedtime in conjunction with Symbicort twice/day. I have a much improved quality of life and am beginning to have some control over the chronic cough."

9 / 10
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50 Report
  • Agg...
  • March 19, 2017

Sominex (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I believe this is the strongest non-prescription sleeping aid that you can take. This works really well for me on the few occasions that I need it, within about 10 minutes of taking it, I fall asleep and stay so for longer than I normally would without it. You can even try 1/2 or 1/4 tablet if you don't want to take a whole one. Definitely recommend this!"

9 / 10
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34 Report
  • Nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 19, 2020

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Allergic Reactions "Received Benadryl via IV in prep for a biologic infusion. My throat started 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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21 Report
  • use...
  • October 28, 2014

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for Allergic Reactions "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 breathe. It was so scary, I thought I was dead. Thanks to the doctor's quick response, he saved me, but it almost killed me."

8 / 10
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40 Report
  • Lil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 4, 2020

ZzzQuil (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "I was trying to get my sleep schedule back on track since quarantine, so I turned to ZzzQuil as opposed to my usual melatonin 10mg dose. I can say I was wildly disappointed with the results. It made me drowsy, and I could fall asleep, but then I’d either wake up frequently, or stay wide awake all night until morning. I gave it a week's worth of a chance before I threw about half the rest in the trash."

1 / 10
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22 Report
  • Hid...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 30, 2023

Nytol (diphenhydramine) for Insomnia "Couldn’t believe the effect these things had! Rather than falling asleep, I was irritated, restless, and slept almost zero minutes all night. Never again. Save your money, not only does this product not help you sleep, but achieves the exact opposite!"

1 / 10
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11 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.