29 Oct Benadryl Overdose And Addiction: What You Need To Know

Posted at 12:31h in In-Home Detox, Rehabilitation by Simon S

Benadryl (also known by the generic name diphenhydramine) is best known as an over-the-counter antihistamine medication mainly used to treat allergies. It has also been popular in emergency rooms for treating a number of other conditions, such as migraines and urticaria (hives).

However, it has fallen out of favor in recent years due to several factors. These include its strongly sedating effects, its potential for negatively impacting cognition and psychomotor performance, and causing hallucinations or a sensation of being high – especially when administered through rapid intravenous administration.

Given its potential for misuse and adverse side effects, many people wonder if it is possible to overdose on Benadryl or become addicted to this medication.

In this article, we will discuss the following topics about Benadryl and the potential for addiction and overdose

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Table of Contents:

What Is Benadryl?

In this section, we will go over Benadryl’s composition, medical uses, and over-the-counter availability.

Benadryl’s composition and active ingredient(s) vary by product. Some Benadryl products contain only one active ingredient, and others have two active ingredients.

Benadryl Allergy Tablets have one active ingredient: the antihistamine diphenhydramine.
Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion Tablets contain diphenhydramine and the decongestant phenylephrine.
Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream contains diphenhydramine and the skin protectant zinc.
Benadryl Itch Cooling Gel does not contain diphenhydramine; it only contains the pain reliever camphor.

Benadryl has many medical uses. Some uses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while others are unofficial (off-label).

Benadryl is FDA-approved to help treat the following conditions:

Common cold symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose
Hay fever and other respiratory allergies
Hives, itching, and skin rashes
Sinus pain and congestion
Bee stings and bug bites (topical)
Swelling caused by hives (topical)
Poison ivy (topical)
Sunburn (topical)

Off-label uses include:

Migraine headaches
Motion sickness or nausea
Occasional insomnia

In the United States, Benadryl is available over-the-counter. This means you do not need to get a prescription from your doctor to be able to buy Benadryl. Benadryl can easily be found in a drug store or grocery store.

Safe Usage Guidelines

Next, we will discuss the safe usage guidelines for Benadryl, including recommended dosages, precautions for special populations, and potential side effects.

Recommended Dosages

The recommended dosage of Benadryl you should take will depend on the condition you want to treat, the form of Benadryl you are using, and your age. You should take the smallest effective dose.

Here are some examples of recommended dosages and maximum dosages for Benadryl:

To treat allergies and hay fever:
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: take 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours; the maximum dosage is 300 mg per day; do not take more than six times a day
- Children ages six to 11 years: take 12.5 to 25 mg every four to six hours; the maximum dosage is 150 mg per day; do not take more than six times a day
- Children under six years: use only under the direction of a doctor
To treat bee stings, bug bites, or hives:
- Adults and children ages two years and older: apply Benadryl topical cream, gel, or spray up to four times a day
- Children under two years: use only under the direction of a doctor
To treat common cold symptoms:
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: take 25 to 50 mg every four to six hours; the maximum dosage is 300 mg per day; do not take more than six times a day
- Children ages six to 11 years: take 12.5 to 25 mg every four to six hours; the maximum dosage is 150 mg per day; do not take more than six times a day
- Children under six years: use only under the direction of a doctor

You or your child may develop a tolerance to Benadryl if it is used frequently, and it may lose its effectiveness over time.

Precautions for Special Populations

As a precaution, you should not take Benadryl without discussing it with your doctor first if you have any of the following medical conditions or are a member of one of the following vulnerable populations:

Asthma
Bladder or prostate problems
Dementia
Glaucoma
Heart problems or high blood pressure
Liver disease
Older adults
People who wear contact lenses

Potential Side Effects

Like most medications, Benadryl can cause side effects.[1] Some side effects are mild, and others are severe. Some side effects should go away on their own after a few days or a couple of weeks; others are long-term.

Common side effects of Benadryl include:

Dizziness
Dry mouth
Headache
Sleepiness
Weakness

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

Confusion
Decreased memory
Dementia
Fast heartbeat
Impaired thinking
Seizures

Oral Benadryl can cause the following side effects in children:

Agitation or irritability
Muscle spasms
Restlessness
Seizures
Trouble sleeping

Over-the-counter Benadryl is not intended for long-term use. There is not much research about the long-term effects of Benadryl, it may cause the following side effects:

Anxiety
Blurred vision
Constipation
Dementia and memory problems (especially in older adults)
Dependence

If you take very high doses of Benadryl, you may experience hallucinations.

Benadryl Overdose

In this section, we will go over Benadryl overdose, including symptoms and warning signs, immediate actions to take, and seeking medical help.

Symptoms and warning signs of Benadryl overdose in adults and children include:

Anxiety and nervousness
Blurred vision
Coma
Confusion
Death
Decreased sweating
Hallucinations
Heart arrhythmia
Involuntary movements
Restlessness
Seizures
Trouble breathing

Some immediate actions exist if you know or suspect that you or someone else has overdosed on Benadryl. Call 911 first and then the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions. You will be asked about the person’s age, weight, current health status, the time the medication was consumed, the amount consumed, and if the person took any other drugs along with Benadryl.

Because a Benadryl overdose can be fatal, you should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a Benadryl overdose.

Factors Influencing Overdose Risk

Numerous factors influence overdose risk, including age and weight considerations, drug interactions, and misuse and abuse.

The effects of a Benadryl overdose can vary based on the person’s age and weight. A Benadryl overdose is more dangerous for children and older adults.

Benadryl can have interactions with other medications and supplements, including:

Anticholinergic drugs
Antidepressants such as Zoloft (sertraline)
Antihistamines such as Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Antipsychotics
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam)
Chamomile
Kava
Melatonin
Opioids
Sedative-hypnotic drugs
Valerian

There are no known interactions between Benadryl, Motrin (ibuprofen), or Tylenol (acetaminophen).

You should not drink alcohol while taking Benadryl because it can increase the effects of alcohol, cause excessive sleepiness, and impair your abilities, such as your ability to drive.

There is a potential for abuse and misuse of Benadryl because taking high doses can cause hallucinations and a sensation of being high.

Understanding Addiction

Understanding addiction is vital to helping a loved one who is abusing Benadryl. There are multiple facets of understanding addiction, including differentiating dependence and addiction, how addiction develops, and psychological and physiological factors.

Differentiating Dependence and Addiction

It is important to be able to differentiate between Benadryl dependence and Benadryl addiction. Common characteristics of addiction include an inability to manage use, an obsession with obtaining Benadryl, and strong cravings. Dependence occurs when the person’s body starts to rely on a certain amount of medication.

How Addiction Develops

Benadryl addiction develops over time as you begin to need more and more of the medication to feel its effects. Addiction has many physical, psychological, and physiological effects.

Psychological and Physiological Factors

Both psychological and physiological factors play a part in Benadryl addiction. You may experience a physical or psychological addiction to this medication or have symptoms of both types of addiction.

Can You Overdose on Benadryl?

Next, we will get into the possibility of Benadryl overdose, including clarifying lethal doses, real-life overdose cases, and why it happens.

A fatal dose of Benadryl depends on factors such as the condition it is being used to treat and the person’s age. The lethal dose is estimated to be 20 to 40 mg per 1 kg for adults and 500 mg per 1 kg for children.

There are many real-life Benadryl overdose cases, including several American teenagers hospitalized or dying after doing the “Benadryl challenge” on the social media platform TikTok.

It is also important to know that children under the age of six years old are more sensitive to the effects of diphenhydramine and can overdose more easily on it than adults and older children can.

Benadryl overdose can happen when someone accidentally or intentionally takes too much of this medication. At high doses, this medication can attach to histamine receptors in the nervous system and cause sleepiness, decreased blood pressure, and a slower breathing rate. It can also cause damage to the heart.

Should You Worry About Developing Addiction?

This section will discuss if you should worry about developing a Benadryl addiction, including risk factors, signs of Benadryl addiction, and long-term consequences.

There are a number of risk factors for developing a Benadryl addiction, including:

Taking Benadryl to treat anxiety and become relaxed
Taking Benadryl to treat insomnia
Taking Benadryl to treat muscle spasms and tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease
Taking Benadryl to treat the side effects associated with antipsychotic medications
Taking large amounts of Benadryl

There are a number of signs of Benadryl addiction, including:

Anxiety and confusion if you skip a dose
Being unable to cut down on Benadryl use
Being unable to fall asleep before consuming Benadryl
Body tolerance to Benadryl
Dependence on Benadryl to function normally
Depression
Difficulty concentrating and focusing on simple tasks
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Feeling the need to take Benadryl to achieve the high
Hallucinations
Low blood pressure
Mood swings
Nightmares
Overall body weakness
Shivering

Benadryl addiction can cause long-term consequences, including:

Deterioration of mental capacity
Heart function issues
Increased risk of dementia
Kidney and liver problems
Overdose
Shaking and twitching
Sight problems
Withdrawal symptoms

Treatment and Recovery

Many treatment and recovery options exist, such as detoxification, rehabilitation programs, and supportive therapies.

Detoxification

The first step in treatment and recovery for Benadryl addiction is detoxification. Detox causes withdrawal symptoms that vary as Benadryl leaves your system.

In the first 12-24 hours after the last dose of this medication, you may experience anxiety, muscle aches, and runny nose.

Withdrawal symptoms peak one to three days after the last dose and may include high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are also common during this time.

Symptoms generally subside four to seven days after the last dose. Most symptoms will be gone by day seven. Rarely, withdrawal symptoms may continue for longer than a week.

Rehabilitation Programs

Various rehabilitation programs are available, including inpatient, outpatient, and in-home rehabilitation programs. These programs ensure your safety and comfort as you recover from Benadryl addiction.

Inpatient treatment involves living full-time in a treatment facility for one to three months. This type of program is recommended for people with a severe addiction.
An outpatient rehab program involves going to a treatment center for six or eight hours each day while you continue to live at home. This type of program can serve as either a primary treatment or as a follow-up to inpatient treatment.
In-home rehabilitation allows you to go through treatment at home and causes fewer disruptions to your usual routine and home life.

Supportive Therapies

Supportive therapies such as coaching and counseling are also available to treat Benadryl addiction and dependence. These options will help you deal with the psychological aspects of addiction.

Prevention Strategies

Prevention strategies such as responsible usage, education and awareness, and alternatives to Benadryl are important in avoiding addiction and dependence.

Responsible Usage

It is imperative to use Benadryl only as directed. If you find yourself taking Benadryl often or using it to treat conditions other than what it is meant to be used for, talk to your doctor to find out if other medications may work better for you.

Education and Awareness
Alternatives to Benadryl

Education and awareness of the risks associated with Benadryl can help people avoid misusing or overdosing. Share this article with family and friends to spread the word.

There are a number of alternatives to Benadryl that are divided into two categories: first-generation antihistamines and second-generation antihistamines. First-generation antihistamines are known to cause more sleepiness and other side effects than second-generation antihistamines do. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine.

In addition to Benadryl, other first-generation antihistamines include chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and hydroxyzine (Vistaril).
You can take second-generation antihistamines instead of Benadryl, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin).

Last Words

Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine medication that can help treat a number of medical conditions. It is available over the counter, which makes it easy to get; however, its availability also elevates the risk of misuse.

Taking Benadryl for certain issues, such as using it as a sleep aid, can also increase your risk of abuse and overdose. Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of adverse effects from taking Benadryl.

It is possible to become addicted to Benadryl, but there is hope for you or a loved one who may find themselves battling addiction. In-home, inpatient, and outpatient rehabilitation programs and counseling are available to help you or a loved one overcome addiction and make a full recovery.

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