Benadryl for Allergic Reactions User Reviews

Rating: 6.4

Benadryl has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 27 reviews for the treatment of allergic reactions. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 26% reported a negative experience.

10		30%
9		15%
8		7%
7		4%
6		11%
5		0%
4		7%
3		0%
2		7%
1		19%

Reviews for Benadryl

Jus...
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 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

Ame...
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, 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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46 Report

Anonymous
August 10, 2021

"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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21 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 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

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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46 Report

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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 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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42 Report

Ros...
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 that sometimes when I took it, my heart would beat funny, and it would be hard to catch my breath, 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 taken it in a week, and I'm still having a racing heart and palpitations. Don't take this stuff long term. I'm in my early 20s and healthy if anyone reading this was curious."

6 / 10

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13 Report

More FAQ

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

"My adult-sized teenage son was given Benadryl IV, 50 mg, 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 is looked into."

6 / 10

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28 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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43 Report

Con...
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 itchy, nauseous, and it makes me feel angry. Feeling restless really hurts my stomach. Am I allergic to it, or is it a bad reaction?"

2 / 10

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22 Report

Jim...
November 28, 2024

"I ate a new spicy chip I had never had before (purple bag of Takis, for reference). One of the spices or something on the chip I'm allergic to and didn't realize it, and as I'm driving 45 minutes back home, my tongue began to swell up. I grabbed two Benadryl and chewed them the second I got in the door; 25 mins or so later. Literally, the worst taste I've ever experienced in my life, but I am here today to tell you about it. Within 5 minutes, the swelling started to subside, and I was no longer half-choking on my own tongue, and I made it through. I do not recommend you rely on this in the case of allergic reactions, especially if it's involving your breathing at all, but that is my experience with it. I was 45 minutes from a hospital by ambulance and had to act. And they're talking about banning it OTC... what a world."

9 / 10

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2 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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21 Report

mar...
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 effects with us."

10 / 10

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13 Report

Tal...
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 were 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."

1 / 10

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7 Report

Mad...
January 25, 2016

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

10 / 10

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13 Report

All...
March 14, 2012

"Works well and is one of my 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

The...
September 4, 2020

"Benadryl is the gold standard for allergies, anxiolysis, and sleep 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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4 Report

Rob...
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

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

"I had been to the doctor for hives from an 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, and they told me to use the same thing, no help at all. I was itching so badly, 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 them to 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 are 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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23 Report

bru...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 4, 2021

"It's making my heart race and making me feel so weird, and my sore throat didn't go away, and I still feel bad."

4 / 10

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8 Report

All...
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."

4 / 10

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14 Report

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

"Relieves most allergy symptoms."

10 / 10

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11 Report

How...
Taken for less than 1 month
September 16, 2021

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

10 / 10

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1 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.