- Generic Name: diphenhydramine
- Dosage Forms: n.a.
- Other Brand Names: Allergy Relief, Allermax, Banophen, Benadryl, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Diphedryl, Diphenhist, Dytuss, Nytol QuickCaps, PediaCare Children's Allergy, Q-Dryl, QlearQuil Nightitme Allergy Relief, Quenalin, Scot-Tussin Allergy Relief Formula, Siladryl Allergy, Silphen Cough, Simply Sleep, Sleepinal, Sominex, Tranquil, Twilite, Unisom Sleepgels Maximum Strength, Valu-Dryl, Vanamine PD, Z-Sleep, ZzzQuil, plus many others, Benadryl Allergy, Complete Allergy, Nytol, Unisom SleepMelts
What is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride?
Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma.
Adjunct to epinephrine and other standard measures for management of anaphylaxis after acute symptoms have been controlled.
Used IV or IM for management of other uncomplicated allergic conditions of the immediate type when oral therapy is impossible or contraindicated.
Allergic Rhinitis
Self-medication for temporary relief of rhinorrhea, sneezing, lacrimation, itching eyes, oronasopharyngeal irritation or itching, or cough associated with allergic rhinitis (e.g., hay fever) or other upper respiratory allergies.
Used in fixed combination with other agents (e.g., acetaminophen, phenylephrine) for relief of rhinorrhea, sneezing, lacrimation, itching eyes, oronasopharyngeal itching, and/or other symptoms (e.g., headache, nasal/sinus congestion) associated with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis or other upper respiratory allergies.
Use fixed-combination preparations only when symptoms amenable to each ingredient are present concurrently.
Common Cold
Self-medication for temporary relief of symptoms associated with the common cold (e.g., rhinorrhea, sneezing, cough).
Used in fixed combination with other agents (e.g., acetaminophen, phenylephrine) for symptomatic relief of rhinorrhea, sneezing, and/or other symptoms associated with the common cold (e.g., headache, minor aches and pains, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion).
Insomnia
Self-medication for short-term (i.e., ≤2 weeks) management of occasional sleeplessness, particularly in individuals who have difficulty falling asleep.
Used in fixed combination with other agents (e.g., acetaminophen) for short-term management of occasional sleeplessness.
Development of tolerance reported with repeated use.
Dermatologic Disorders
Systemic antihistamines may be more effective than topical, especially if pruritus is generalized, and less likely to cause sensitivity reactions than when applied topically for pruritus associated with various dermatologic conditions.
Motion Sickness
Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.
Parkinsonian Syndrome
May be useful as alternative therapy in the management of tremor early in the course of parkinsonian syndrome. Also may be useful in the management of drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions.
Used IV for management of parkinsonian syndrome when oral therapy is impossible or contraindicated. Used specifically in geriatric patients who are unable to tolerate more potent agents; for mild cases of parkinsonism in younger patients; and in combination with centrally acting anticholinergic agents in other cases of parkinsonism.