Can diphenhydramine be used as a sleep aid?
Diphenhydramine can be used as a short-term sleep aid to help ease occasional sleep problems. Older adults, children under age 16 and pregnant women should avoid taking diphenhydramine, as the risks to these groups may outweigh the benefits.
Diphenhydramine should not be taken as a treatment for chronic insomnia. There is a lack of substantial evidence to support that diphenhydramine provides significant improvement in sleep, including the time it takes to fall asleep, duration of sleep and quality of sleep. Patients also develop a tolerance for the medication after 1 to 2 weeks of taking it, at which point it is no longer beneficial at the same dose.
Why does diphenhydramine make you sleepy?
Some types of antihistamines, including diphenhydramine, have a sedating effect. Antihistamines fight allergies by blocking the action of a chemical called histamine in the brain. Histamines are produced in response to an allergen, but they also play a role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. By preventing the mechanism of histamines in the brain, some antihistamines can induce drowsiness.
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How much should I take? How long does it take to work?
For an occasional bout of insomnia, adults are usually recommended to take 50 mg of diphenhydramine. The effects of the medication will set in around 20 to 30 minutes after taking it, which is why it should be taken approximately 20 minutes before bedtime.
Is it safe to take diphenhydramine every night?
You should not take diphenhydramine every night. While it may be helpful during limited periods of insomnia, your body will build up a tolerance for the medication over time, and it will no longer have the desired effect. After 2 weeks of taking diphenhydramine, you may become dependent on it to fall asleep. Making sure to not take it for more than a couple of days can help prevent you from becoming dependent on it. For chronic insomnia, your doctor can help you find more long-term solutions.
References
- National Health Service (NHS). Diphenhydramine. September 19, 2018. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diphenhydramine/. [Accessed September 29, 2021].
- Schroeck JL, Ford J, Conway EL, et al. Review of Safety and Efficacy of Sleep Medicines in Older Adults. Clin Ther. 2016;38(11):2340-2372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.09.010.
- Sateia MJ, Buysse DJ, Krystal AD, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(2):307-349. 2017 Feb 15. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6470.
Read next
Does diphenhydramine raise blood pressure?
Increased blood pressure is not a typical side effect of diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine that lowers the effects of histamines in your body. However, in rare cases, the drug may cause hypotension, or decreased blood pressure. This side effect is most likely to occur in people who are over the age of 60. Continue reading
Does Benadryl help with or cause anxiety?
One of the most common side effects with Benadryl is drowsiness, but in some people it can have the opposite effect, known as paradoxical excitation. Instead of feeling sleepy,
you may experience excitation, agitation or insomnia (trouble sleeping), which might make your anxiety symptoms feel worse. This may be more common in young children. Continue reading
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride vs Citrate: What's the difference?
The difference between diphenhydramine hydrochloride and diphenhydramine citrate is that the salt used to bind the diphenhydramine, is different. For diphenhydramine hydrochloride the salt is hydrochloride and for diphenhydramine citrate the salt is citrate. This salt can change how quickly and effectively the diphenhydramine dissolves and is absorbed but once it is in the body it has no effect. Essentially 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride is equivalent to 38 mg of diphenhydramine citrate. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Diphenhydramine Information for Consumers
- Diphenhydramine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Diphenhydramine (detailed)
- Diphenhydramine user reviews (541)
Related support groups
- Diphenhydramine (40 questions, 102 members)