Benadryl ?

[deerslayer]

This may be a stupid ? but lately with all the ragweed and such i find myself taking Benadryl 25mg on a regular basis before bedtime . try not to take every night although tempting. when i do i sleep very sound ! violent sneezing fits during the day for no apparent reason and can get by with flunisolide spray as needed but no Benadryl during day to dull senses while on the scoot. am hoping someone more knowledgeable can tell me if the bennies are addictive or long term harmful. thanks ! tim

[LSAT]

DS....You should probably discuss this with your pharmacist or doctor.

[jbn3boys]

Benadryl is typically safe and non-habit forming. Of course, check with your doc if you have any other underlying issues. But I know I was prescribed benadryl as a sleep aid while I was pregnant, to be taken every night throughout the pregnancy. If it's safe for a developing baby, I'm sure it's safe for adults, too.

Any time I am having a hard time sleeping, I will take a Benadryl or two, and I sleep like a rock. Sleep is so important!

[CAsleep]

To my knowledge, Benedryl is not addictive or harmful.

My psychiatrist told me I could take it at night to help me sleep. After awhile, I did seem to build up a tolerance and needed 2 pills instead of 1 for the drowsy effect, but that wasn't really a problem because I think it's safe.

When you ask if the "bennies" are addictive or harmful, are you thinking about "benzos," which is short for benzodiazepines? Those are the prescription drugs like Klonopin, Xanax, etc. Those are often used for anxiety, or sleep, or abused recreationally, and they can be addictive. Those drugs are not related to Benedryl, to my knowledge.....so that is a separate ballgame. My guess is that you are confusing the two?

[deerslayer]

To my knowledge, Benedryl is not addictive or harmful.

My psychiatrist told me I could take it at night to help me sleep. After awhile, I did seem to build up a tolerance and needed 2 pills instead of 1 for the drowsy effect, but that wasn't really a problem because I think it's safe.

When you ask if the "bennies" are addictive or harmful, are you thinking about "benzos," which is short for benzodiazepines? Those are the prescription drugs like Klonopin, Xanax, etc. Those are often used for anxiety, or sleep, or abused recreationally, and they can be addictive. Those drugs are not related to Benedryl, to my knowledge.....so that is a separate ballgame. My guess is that you are confusing the two?

negative on the bennies as a different drug, sorry. just meant Benadryl .. lol, my hippie days are long over

[CAsleep]

In terms of the Benedryl, the only real problem I noticed with using it everyday (and I did use it for a long period of time) was that it can dry out your mouth, and also cause constipation (sorry if "too much info!"). The solution I found to the constipation issue was taking a spoonful of cod liver oil or any fish oil in the morning and sometimes in the evening too....that lubricates your bowels, to counteract the drying effects of the Benedryl. In theory, any oil should work (like olive oil) just for the anti-constipation-from-Benedryl thing, but I used the cod liver oil because it's really good for your body in general, good for the brain, etc. I think it's also good for your cholesterol, but don't quote me on that.

If you use Cod Liver oil or fish oil though, be sure it's a high quality brand, where the label reads that it is free from contaminants, because that's a problem with fish oil. I used a brand called Carlson's. Lemon flavored helps.

[thomzeyl]

Here's the "official" list of issues: http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_benadryl.pdf


Most of them are not specifically around Benadryl itself, but around accompanying medical conditions, or the combination with other medications.

You should vary your antihistamines, as you might get used to a certain dose and need to keep increasing the dose to get the same effects. (google "tachyphylaxis")

[deerslayer]

Thank You so much thomzeyl ! thats about as complete a pharmacological report as i have ever seen. your research is much appreciated !! to know is everything.... tim

[thomzeyl]

No problem,all in a day's work......:~)

P.S. From a fellow scoot driver (Suzuki Burgman 400): Don't pill and drive!

[deerslayer]

No problem,all in a day's work......:~)

P.S. From a fellow scoot driver (Suzuki Burgman 400): Don't pill and drive!

That's a big 10 -4 , went down on a street glide last summer (rib) - from powerful anti-biotic... learned my lesson well. * Ride Safe Brother *