Benadryl: Sleep Aid Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride (Full Prescribing Information)

Generic Name: Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Brand Name: Benadryl

Dosage Form: elixir

Contents:

Description
Pharmacology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings
Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage
Dosage and Administration
How Supplied

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride patient information sheet (in plain English)

Description

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is an antihistamine drug having the chemical name 2- (diphenylmethoxy)-N,N -dimethylethylamine hydrochloride and has the molecular formula C₁₇H₂₁NO-HCL (molecular weight 291.82). It occurs as a white odorless, crystalline powder and is freely soluble in water and alcohol. The structural formula is as follows:

Each 5 mL contains 12.5 mg of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and alcohol 14% for oral administration.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:

Citric acid, D&C Red No.33, FD&C Red No.40, flavoring, purified water, sodium citrate, and sucrose.

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Clinical Pharmacology

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative effects. Antihistamines appear to compete with histamine for cell receptor sites on effector cells.

A single oral dose of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is quickly absorbed with maximum activity occurring in approximately one hour. The duration of activity following an average dose of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is from four to six hours. Diphenhydramine is widely distributed throughout the body, including the CNS. Little, if any, is excreted unchanged in the urine; most appears as the degradation products of metabolic transformation in the liver, which are almost completely excreted within 24 hours.

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Indications and Usage

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride in the oral form is effective for the following indications:

Antihistaminic:

For allergic conjunctivitis due to foods; mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema; amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma; dermatographism; as therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after the acute manifestations have been controlled.

Motion Sickness:

For active and prophylactic treatment of motion sickness.

Antiparkinsonism:

For parkinsonism (including drug-induced) in the elderly unable to tolerate more potent agents; mild cases of parkinsonism (including drug-induced) in other age groups; in other cases of parkinsonism (including drug-induced) in combination with centrally acting anticholinergic agents.

Nighttime Sleep-aid.

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Contraindications

Use in Newborn or Premature Infants:

This drug should not be used in newborn or premature infants.

Use in Nursing Mothers:

Because of the higher risk of antihistamines for infants generally, and for newborns and prematures in particular, antihistamine therapy is contraindicated in nursing mothers.

Antihistamines are also contraindicated in the following conditions:

Hypersensitivity to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and other antihistamines of similar chemical structure.

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Warnings

Antihistamines should be used with considerable caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction, symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy, or bladder-neck obstruction.

Use in Children:

In infants and children, especially, antihistamines in overdosage may cause hallucinations, convulsions, or death. As in adults, antihistamines may diminish mental alertness in children. In the young child, particularly, they may produce excitation.

Use in the Elderly (approximately 60 years or older):

Antihistamines are most likely to cause dizziness, sedation, and hypotension in elderly patients.

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Precautions

General:

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride has an atropine-like action and therefore, should be used with caution in patients with a history of lower respiratory disease including asthma, increased intraocular pressure, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease or hypertension.

Information for Patients:

Patients taking Diphenhydramine hydrochloride should be advised that this drug may cause drowsiness and has an additive effect with alcohol. Patients should be warned about engaging in activities requiring mental alertness such as driving a car or operating appliances, machinery, etc.

Drug Interactions:

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride has additive effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants (hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, etc.). MAO inhibitors prolong and intensify the anticholinergic (drying) effects of antihistamines.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility:

Long-term studies in animals to determine mutagenic and carcinogenic potential have not been performed.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy Category B:

Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 5 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

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Adverse Reactions

The most frequent adverse reactions are underscored.

• General: Urticaria, drug rash, anaphylactic shock, photosensitivity, excessive perspiration, chills, dryness of the mouth, nose and throat.
• Cardiovascular System: Hypotension, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, extrasystoles.
• Hematologic System: Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis.
• Nervous System: Sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, fatigue, confusion, restlessness, excitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, insomnia, euphoria, paresthesia, blurred vision, diplopia, vertigo, tinnitus, acute labyrinthitis, neuritis, convulsions.
• GI System: Epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation.
• GU System: Urinary frequency, difficult urination, urinary retention, early menses.
• Respiratory System: Thickening of bronchial secretions, tightness of chest and wheezing, nasal stuffiness.

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Overdosage

Antihistamine overdosage reactions may vary from central nervous system depression to stimulation. Stimulation is particularly likely in children. Atropine-like signs and symptoms, dry mouth; fixed, dilated pupils; flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur.

If vomiting has not occurred spontaneously, the patient should be induced to vomit. This is best done by having him drink a glass of water or milk after which he should be made to gag. Precaution against aspiration must be taken, especially in infants and children.

If vomiting is unsuccessful, gastric lavage is indicated within 3 hours after ingestion and even later if large amounts of milk or cream were given beforehand. Isotonic or 1/2 isotonic saline is the lavage solution of choice.

Saline cathartics, as milk of magnesia, by osmosis draw water into the bowel and therefore are valuable for their action in rapid dilution of bowel content.

Stimulants should not be used.

Vasopressors may be used to treat hypotension.

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Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE SHOULD BE INDIVIDUALIZED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT.

A single oral dose of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is quickly absorbed with maximum activity occurring in approximately one hour. The duration of activity following an average dose of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is from four to six hours.

ADULTS: 25 to 50 mg three or four times daily. The nighttime sleep-aid dosage is 50 mg at bedtime.

CHILDREN: (over 20 lbs.): 12.5 to 25 mg three or four times daily. Maximum daily dosage not to exceed 300 mg. For physicians who wish to calculate the dose on the basis of body weight or surface area, the recommended dosage is 5 mg/kg/24 hours or 150 mg/m²/24 hours.

Data are not available on the use of Diphenhydramine hydrochloride as a nighttime sleep-aid in children under 12 years.

The basis for determining the most effective dosage regimen will be the response of the patient to medication and the condition under treatment.

In motion sickness, full dosage is recommended for prophylactic use, the first dose to be given 30 minutes before exposure to motion and similar doses before meals and upon retiring for the duration of exposure.

STORAGE: Keep tightly closed. Store at controlled room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). Protect from light.

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How Supplied

Diphenhydramine HCL Elixir (colored pink) is supplied in the following oral dosage forms: NDC 0121-0489-05 (unit dose cups of 5 mL, 10 x 10's), NDC 0121-0489-10 (unit dose cups of 10 mL, 10 x 10's), NDC 0121-0489-20 (unit dose cups of 20 mL, 10 x 10's). Each 5 mL of elixir contains 12.5 mg Diphenhydramine HCL with 14% alcohol.

Last Updated: 05/06

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride patient information sheet (in plain English)

Detailed Info on Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments of Sleep Disorders

 

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The information in this monograph is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects. This information is generalized and is not intended as specific medical advice. If you have questions about the medicines you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

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