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Diphenhydramine and Restless Leg Syndrome: What Users Say

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

Restless leg syndrome: mentioned by 19 users (3.5%)

Based on user experiences from 541 Diphenhydramine reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

drowsiness 16.3%
nausea 4.6%
tiredness 4.4%
anxiety 4.3%
headaches 4.1%
restless leg syndrome 3.5%
dizziness 3.3%
restlessness 3.0%
sleepy 3.0%
dry mouth 2.8%

Reviews for Diphenhydramine

Showing 19 reviews tagged with "restless leg syndrome". Clear filters to view all 541 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Caz...
  • March 11, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Nytol. Where do I begin? If I could give less than 1, I would. By far the worst thing I ever tried. I suffer from mild insomnia. It takes a long time for me to fall asleep and then I wake most nights 3-4 times, zapping in and out of light sleep. I decided to try these as my mum swears by them. I took it an hour before bed as suggested. About 2 hours later, still awake, the restless legs started. I never suffered with this before. It lasted until 4:30 am. Never have I been so frustrated trying to sleep. I tried again the second night. It was WORSE! What a waste of money, don't bother."

1 / 10
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82 Report
  • Fel...
  • August 25, 2019

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I used to work overnight, so now I suffer from being on an opposite schedule. Up at night and sleeping during the day. I decided to take ZzzQuil, and it kept me up all night. The first time I took it, I didn’t sleep soundly and had crazy dreams. The second time, I suffered from a little restless leg syndrome, but I thought maybe it’s okay since I have arthritis as well. I tried it one more time, and it was awful. I tossed and turned all night. My legs were so restless every time I started to fall asleep, my legs woke me up because I was so uncomfortable. I’m totally throwing it away. I even couldn’t sleep the next day, and I was exhausted. It was horrible."

1 / 10
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47 Report
  • Dre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 30, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Trying to get off an enormous amount of THC full CBD, which helps sleep a bit but makes me wonky. So, ZzzQuil. Unbelievably awful, an experience I hope nobody would have. Didn't make me sleepy at all, but the restless legs were absolute torture. Torture. This side effect is not admitted by the manufacturer, but it's so real it's scary."

1 / 10
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12 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Jol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 8, 2019

For Insomnia "Bought diphenhydramine over the counter with guidance from a pharmacist at an airport to help me sleep on long-haul flights. I would say that it takes about two hours to start acting and will induce a good deep sleep, however, in the interim, I developed restless legs (RLS), and it drove me mad. Did not associate the two, so next jet-lagged night I took another dose and got restless legs again, which lasted until sleep kicked in. I’m afraid to take this drug again now as RLS is as awful as jet lag."

3 / 10
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6 Report
  • Nev...
  • February 3, 2023

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Tried this for the first time, and never again. I had the worst case of anxiety and restless leg syndrome that I’ve ever experienced in my life. Woke up tired from being up more than if I didn’t take it. On top of that, horrible dreams as well."

1 / 10
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3 Report

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  • Bou...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 8, 2021

For Insomnia "I just tried this again after a few years' gap. First go-round, they gave me restless legs. Now they are working well. I take one with an additional 500 mg acetaminophen. My watch gives me a record of how I slept, and it indicates the results are OK, but my subjective impression is even better. I intend to take one only occasionally."

10 / 10
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  • Spo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I usually use the Tesco brand sleep tabs, and they work fine. Tesco had run out, so I paid for Nytol. Took one the first night and couldn’t sleep, felt like I had taken speed, restless legs, the lot. Was awake until 1:30 ish. Next night was worse. Put in bin, do not use."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 1, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I have tried Nytol a few times, and oddly enough, it seems to act as a stimulant rather than a sleep aid. Totally wide awake and restless legs to boot! Joy. Nightnurse is the only thing that works for me every time, but getting it regularly from a pharmacy is difficult, as you have to have cold and flu symptoms for them to give it to you. Tablet form works best if you can get it."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 17, 2009

For Insomnia "I used the Equate Nighttime Sleep Aid. It did help me sleep. However, if I didn't immediately get in the bed so that I could fall asleep as soon as I felt sleepy, then I would get restless legs. Good medicine, though, if you can't sleep."

8 / 10
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  • Let...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 11, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I took one Nytol last night. I won't do so again. Like other posts on here, I was still wide awake at 4 a.m. I also had restless legs, and my arms and hands felt like they were aching through to the bone."

1 / 10
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  • Nat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 26, 2021

For Insomnia "I suffer with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and I suffer with vertigo. I usually take motion sickness pills to help with the dizziness and nausea. I took two, which means 50 mg of diphenhydramine. I also hoped it would help me fall asleep. That was after work at 10:30 PM; it is now 4:49 AM, and I am wide awake! I have restless legs, up and down to urinate, and this med did nothing but keep me awake! I am surprised that getting out and in bed hasn’t woke my boyfriend up. I have work today at 2 PM, and I am afraid I will crash and burn at work!"

3 / 10
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  • Tie...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2021

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Wish I had read these reviews before trying Nytol. Took at 10:30 PM, an hour before I turn the light out… It’s now 1:11 AM and I’m wide awake with restless legs! I can always fall asleep but only for 4 hours, then up for 2 hours. What is going on?"

1 / 10
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  • Soo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 18, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "I have mild, occasional insomnia, always in and around a full moon. Decided to try Nytol. Bad mistake. I tossed and turned, and my legs took on a life of their own as Restless Leg Syndrome completely took over me. My legs danced a jig worthy of Riverdance as I struggled to contain them and try to find sleep. The remaining Nytol tablets went straight into the bin this morning. Insomnia is one thing - out of control legs is another thing completely."

2 / 10
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  • Sle...
  • July 3, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Took 2 tablets at 10 PM. I’ve had the worst restless legs and arms I have ever experienced. Absolute torture."

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • dco...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 24, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Diphenhydramine triggers restless leg syndrome."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 10, 2020

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "ZzzQuil. It's really not working. Took it for the first time and could not sleep because of increased restless legs symptoms. Waste of money."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Che...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2023

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Tastes funny. Gave me a headache and restless legs, as well as twitching. Doesn’t help me doze off any better than not taking it."

1 / 10
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  • Mik...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2020

For Insomnia "Benadryl gives me horrible restless leg syndrome and makes me feel very nauseous. It feels like I have pins and needles all over my body. Feels like bugs are crawling all over."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Mil...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 17, 2022

Diphenhydramine for Insomnia "Absolute rubbish, should not be sold as a sleeping aid. It kept me more awake and caused restless legs."

1 / 10
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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.