If sedation is a concern, fexofenadine (Allegra) or levocetirizine (Xyzal) are usually the best options. Unlike Benadryl, these newer antihistamines have not been shown to have adverse effects on the heart, and no fatalities have been reported from their use. The second-generation antihistamines will often last for more than 24 hours while leading to far fewer side effects. They also last longer.īenadryl does not stay in your system for very long, and frequent re-dosing is required, leading to more side effects. The second-generation antihistamines start to work as fast, if not faster, than Benadryl and are much safer. A common concern is that these antihistamines may not act as quickly as Benadryl, but this is a misconception. These medications include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and levocetirizine (Xyzal). Luckily, we have newer second and third-generation antihistamines that have been available since the 1980s and can also be found over-the-counter. Benadryl’s adverse events, especially if taken in high doses, include fast heart rate, hallucinations, agitation, dilation of pupils, seizures, changes in heart rhythm, and death. There have also been injuries and fatalities reported with car, plane, and boating accidents due to impairment. Children who take Benadryl have been shown to experience poor school performance. The day after Benadryl is taken, this medicine can have a “hangover effect” with continued impairment in your vigilance, cognition, memory, and motor function. While you will likely fall asleep if you take Benadryl, it does not lead to quality sleep. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is why it is known to cause such significant sedation. Benadryl has poor specificity for its targets, and can therefore affect many different body systems. Shortly after Benadryl became available, the adverse effect profile became known. Unfortunately, Benadryl is still commonly recommended and used today, likely because it has been around for so long and has strong brand recognition. It can also cause adverse side effects on your cognition, breathing, and has been associated with coma and death. The majority of people who take Benadryl have probably experienced its sedation. With our rigorous standards in modern medicine, it’s questionable as to whether Benadryl would even be approved for over-the-counter use if it was new to the market today. When it first came onto the market, safety and efficacy standards like today didn’t exist. It is considered a first-generation antihistamine and is used to treat everything from runny noses and sneezing to hives. It’s an oldie, but is it a goodie? I’m going to tell you why I don’t think so.ĭiphenhydramine has been around for a long time since 1946. When you think of treating an allergic reaction to something, whether that be pollen, food, or insect bites, what’s the first drug name that comes to mind? I bet a lot of folks think of Benadryl (diphenhydramine is the generic name). Do we really still need Benadryl? I’m an allergy specialist, and let me tell you why I don’t recommend it to my patients. Newer antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra) have been shown in clinical trials to cause less drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines.įollow Joseph Castro on Twitter. This disruption of the action of histamines in the brain results in drowsiness. They can cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit one of the other functions of histamines - that is, the pivotal role they play in regulating sleep and wakefulness. Histamines jump to action, causing the range of symptoms associated with allergies (sneezing, itchy eyes, chest congestion, wheezing, etc.).Īntihistamines are typically used to ease allergy symptoms, and work by blocking histamines' attachment to receptors, preventing the compounds from carrying out their functions.īut older, first-generation antihistamines, including diphenhydramine and doxylamine succinate, don't discriminate between which histamine receptors they block. For example, when you're fighting a cold (the rhinovirus), histamines widen the blood vessels in your nasal cavity, causing nasal congestion.Īdditionally, the increased fluid leakage from your blood vessels, combined with an increased mucous production - also caused by histamines - can result in a runny nose.Īllergies occur when your immune system erroneously thinks an innocuous foreign substance, such as pollen or pet dander, is actually dangerous. But there are side effects to this healing process.
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