Benadryl for Sleep

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:17 am

Been dealing with allergies for almost a month, nothing seemed to be helping, so I decided to give Benadryl a try. Not only did it clear up my sinus congestion, I'm noticing an effect on my sleep, sleeping sounder it seems. Been taking it for four nights, getting this same effect every night. Then, I recalled that my mother's doc prescribed Benadryl as a sleep aid for her. Anyone else ever used Benadryl for this purpose?

sleepydoll · Post by **sleepydoll** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:37 am

Just be carefull on the side effects and interactions of Benadryl with other meds.

In people 60 and over,it may cause dizziness, excessive calm, or low blood pressure.

More common side effects may include:
Disturbed coordination, dizziness, excessive calm, increased chest congestion, sleepiness, stomach upset

Special warnings about this medication
In general, you should use antihistamines very cautiously if you have the eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma, narrowing of the stomach or intestine because of peptic ulcer or other stomach problems, intestinal blockage, symptoms of an enlarged prostate, or difficulty urinating due to obstruction in the bladder.

Use Benadryl cautiously if you have a history of asthma or other chronic lung disease, an over-active thyroid, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

If Benadryl is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Benadryl with the following:

Antidepressant drugs known as MAO inhibitors, such as Parnate and Nardil
Sedative/hypnotics such as Halcion, Nembutal, and Seconal
Tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium

Benadryl reaches its peak effect in 1 hour, and 1 dose will continue to work for 4 to 6 hours.

Symptoms of Benadryl overdose may include:
Central nervous system depression or stimulation, especially in children, dry mouth, fixed, dilated pupils, flushing, stomach and intestinal symptoms

For more information, go to:

http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/ben1050.htm

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:41 am

Whew! Thanks, sleepydoll! Didn't know there were so many potential side effects associated with Benadryl. So far, though, not having any of those.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:13 am

Wow! With all those side-effects, how can one possibly make any reasonable judgement about appropriate use? How did it ever got to be available over-the-counter?

... Patent protection ran out. It's also worth mentioning that a number of foods will also cause those same side-effects.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:44 am

This subject came up a few weeks back. You might want to review it post.
viewtopic.php?t=29727&highlight=

Jerry

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:02 am

Thanks, Jerry!

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:41 am

If you read the side effects on *any* drug, you'll be shocked. They have to disclose any possibles even if very rare. That said, it is important to read the fine print.

Some docs do suggest benadryl for sleep and many people find it helps. Unless you're one of those odd ducks like me who have the opposite effect --- I get so wired I can't sleep at all! I've had the same problem with a few other drugs that have a major reported side effect of sleepiness.

Mindy

cpapernewbie · Post by **cpapernewbie** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:52 pm

I have been using benadryl for allergies. Hospitalised last summer for 1 week for heart attack. Even in hospital, the MD allowed me to take Benardyl

No side effect, even though I have heart and blood pressure problems.

those long list of possible side-effects are more legal disclaimers

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:57 pm

I'd use it every night if it helps with allergies and helps you get better sleep.

Most sleep aids are derived from side effects of antihistamines except melatonin.

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:15 pm

Back to what helps....

The Benadryl doesn't help me at all, but both Tylenol PM & Advil PM do.

I only take them when I can sleep in a little or go to bed real early as they last a while in my system. The Tylenol is bad for the liver, especially if you drink (I rarely do). But the Advil works just as well for me and it seems to be healthier.

As for the bad effects, I suppose it can hurt you, but seems whenever I've had a procedure with pain to last a few days, the doc says to take 2 Tylenol 6 times a day or more.

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:33 pm

Welcome back, NightHawkeye!!! I missed seeing you here the last few weeks!!

Peggy

lvehko · Post by **lvehko** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:27 pm

As antihistamines go, Benadryl is one of the safest, despite all that hair-raising stuff on the label. I've heard of it being used off-label as a sleep medication, although, as another poster noted, some of us react to it differently. Also, the sleepy side effect tends to wear off over time -- if you use it regularly, you build up an 'immunity' to the sleepiness.

If you're getting better sleep on it, not taking more than the recommended dose, and it's not interfering with your xPAP therapy, I think it's probably pretty safe to keep using it. If you're concerned, though, it never hurts to ask your doc.

I take Benadryl daily, one in the a.m. and two at bed time, for my allergies. When I first started taking it, it would get me wired, but now it doesn't have an effect either way, just keeps me from itching, which is what I want it to do. I tried three of the new-generation antihistamines (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin), and had intolerable side effects from all three. So newer isn't always better. Everybody's different.

Min

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:38 pm

Ive been using benadryl as a sleep aid for quite a while now. The active ingregient in most all over the counter sleep aids is the same as benadryl

MrGrumpy · Post by **MrGrumpy** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:46 pm

RipVW wrote:Been dealing with allergies for almost a month, nothing seemed to be helping, so I decided to give Benadryl a try. Not only did it clear up my sinus congestion, I'm noticing an effect on my sleep, sleeping sounder it seems. Been taking it for four nights, getting this same effect every night. Then, I recalled that my mother's doc prescribed Benadryl as a sleep aid for her. Anyone else ever used Benadryl for this purpose?

I used to use it regularly years ago when I was diagnosed with clinical depression (before I was diagnosed with OSA). Its effective as both an anti-histamine and as a sleep aid. In fact, most OTC sleep aids benadryl is the main active ingredient.

That being said, I learned long ago that bendryl has negative side effects on REM and I believe, slow wave sleep. It also is very sedating and can relax the throat muscles, making OSA possibly worse. Personally, I use it as little as possible these days, but I did take some back in May when I had a bad sinus flareup and suspected some allergies.

For allergies, aint nothing better than old school benadryl though...

Fred

PocketDragonFriend · Post by **PocketDragonFriend** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:23 pm

Years ago my doctor recommended using Benadryl (or generic equiv.) to help me sleep.

I have nearly ALL the medical cautions given and all my doctors (sleep apnea, endo, glaucoma specialist, and regular doctor) have said its fine.

Of course, I wouldn't take anything regularly without confirming it with your doctors.

Benadryl for Sleep

Benadryl for Sleep

Re: Benadryl for Sleep

Doctor recommended it

Mask

Additional Comments: Started CPAP June 14, 2006, pressure set at 8.0