Uses Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes /nose/throat, cough,...Jun 28, 2021 · Experts say skip antihistamines. Dana Benson. 713-798-8267. Houston, TX - Jun 28, 2021. Share this article. For people who take an antihistamine such as Benadryl for a cold or allergies, drowsiness is often a welcome side effect. But a Baylor College of Medicine sleep expert cautions against turning to this type of medication as a sleep aid. Benadryl dosage for dogs. The correct dosage of diphenhydramine for dogs depends on their weight. A small dog will need much less than a big dog to receive the same positive effects. According to ...Side Effects Of Benadryl. Overall, Benadryl is well tolerated and side effects are generally mild in severity. If they do occur, they should subside 4 to 6 hours after dosing, although this can be extended in those with kidney disease and in the elderly. Below, we discuss the most common side effects associated with Benadryl.Common Benadryl (diphenhydramine) side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and blurry vision. Dry mouth and constipation are common, as well. Serious Benadryl side effects include a greater risk of falls — especially if you are an older adult — and potential long-term memory problems.First-generation antihistamines come with an increased risk of certain side effects and drug interactions, so they are not generally advised for long-term usage. “With first-generation antihistamines, some people note decreasing effectiveness if used daily for several days,” says Dr. Lin.Impaired concentration. Memory difficulties. Anxiety. Stomach disturbances. Nausea and vomiting. A dry mouth. Constipation. Liver problems, etc. In certain people, a paradoxical reaction to diphenhydramine is possible, meaning that the drug causes different symptoms than the intended ones.The main long-term side effects of Plaquenil are eye-related. ... To manage your symptoms, they may suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine ...But it has quite a long list of possible side effects. In fact, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has given serious warnings about them, even for people. The organization issued a 2019 position statement about Benadryl. They advised against the drug because of the high risk of side effects and overdose. They said the drug ...Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), commonly referred to as drug-induced movement disorders are among the most common adverse drug effects patients experience from dopamine-receptor blocking agents. It was first described in 1952 after chlorpromazine-induced symptoms resembling Parkinson disease.[1] A variety of movement phenotypes has since been described along the EPS spectrum, including ...Nov 15, 2019 · Central side effects. Since these actions are disrupted by sedating antihistamines, these drugs produce sedation, drowsiness, tiredness, lack of concentration, difficulty in learning and memory ... Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold.These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose ... Jul 9, 2015 · Higher dosage or long-term use of common drugs with anticholinergic effects is linked to significantly increased risk of dementia - including Alzheimer’s - says large study. Diphenhydramine or : Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may cause sedation the next day (due to its long half-life), decreased alertness, diminished cognitive function, delirium, ... Read More. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Learn how we can help. 5k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Jan 24, 2018 · Taking an over-the-counter sleep aid with diphenhydramine once in a while is generally not going to cause problems, other than a possible hangover the next day. Older people, however, can get confused when taking diphenhydramine because it also blocks a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which plays a big role in attention and short-term memory. Apr 11, 2018 · Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine, meaning it is one of the earlier drugs developed in this category of medications. First-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, are often noted for their sedative side effects as they have the ability to travel to your brain (i.e. crosses the blood-brain barrier), which is why they can make you ... Sep 4, 2023 · Impaired concentration. Memory difficulties. Anxiety. Stomach disturbances. Nausea and vomiting. A dry mouth. Constipation. Liver problems, etc. In certain people, a paradoxical reaction to diphenhydramine is possible, meaning that the drug causes different symptoms than the intended ones. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine, meaning it is one of the earlier drugs developed in this category of medications. First-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, are often noted for their sedative side effects as they have the ability to travel to your brain (i.e. crosses the blood-brain barrier), which is why they can make you ...Oct 6, 2015 · Caution should be exercised for long-term use of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an antihistamine and a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, because of the association of increased risk for dementia. When corrected based on the number of drugs with anticholinergic effects an individual was taking, the odds ratio for cognitive impairment was 1.46 with a p value of .0181. However, overall the authors conclude that their data did not support the hypothesis that the use of anticholinergic medications increased the risk of alzheimer’s dementia ...Nov 15, 2019 · Central side effects. Since these actions are disrupted by sedating antihistamines, these drugs produce sedation, drowsiness, tiredness, lack of concentration, difficulty in learning and memory ... Long-term use of Benadryl can also lead to constipation and confusion. Interactions. Benadryl containing diphenhydramine can interact with alcohol as both are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness may be enhanced when taking alcohol with diphenhydramine. Benadryl Addiction Side Effects. Despite having numerous benefits in the medical world, Benadryl has its share of negative side effects when abused. Some effects are short term whereas others can last a lifetime. A user can either encounter psychological effects, physical effects, or both. Some of the physical effects to watch out for include ...skin rash. swollen joints. stomach discomfort, upset or pain. tender swollen glands in neck. tremor. unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability. vomiting. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.Diphenhydramine, brand name Benadryl ®, is one of the oldest and most frequently used over-the-counter medications for children. However, many better options are now widely available, all of which are faster acting, longer lasting, with less side effects. Antihistamines counteract the effect of histamine throughout the body, and treat a range ...This video examines the question and remark: Benadryl long term side effects! I WISH I had KNOWN! Benadryl is a common OTC medication and is also known as D...May 22, 2013 · When corrected based on the number of drugs with anticholinergic effects an individual was taking, the odds ratio for cognitive impairment was 1.46 with a p value of .0181. However, overall the authors conclude that their data did not support the hypothesis that the use of anticholinergic medications increased the risk of alzheimer’s dementia ... Jun 5, 2019 · Addiction and Misuse. Another cause of overdose is an addiction to Diphenhydramine. Patients can become addicted to Benadryl after taking it for an extended period or when it is used for recreational purposes. Side effects of Diphenhydramine overdose often cause long-term damage, which can be fatal to patients ingesting it. May 19, 2022 · Yes, certain side effects are possible after using Benadryl long term. For example, long-term use of Benadryl may cause: an increased risk of dementia; withdrawal symptoms after the drug is stopped* However, keep in mind that doctors typically don’t recommend taking Benadryl as a long-term treatment. Aug 1, 2023 · What are the side effects of Benadryl ... Diphenhydramine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up. ... (such as a long car ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc ... Examples of Viagra’s more commonly reported side effects include: headache. flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) stuffy nose. indigestion (upset stomach) mild vision ...Effects of Long-Term Diphenhydramine Use The information regarding the effects of prolonged Benadryl use is once again not known, as prospective studies analyzing its prolonged use do not exist. There are some exceptions to the above statement, however, the following are related to the long-term use of any antihistamine medication and ...and readily penetrates the blood-brain-barrier. Thus side effects such as grogginess, drowsiness, and memory loss are common. Diphenhydramine is also used for motion sickness and extrapyramidal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients. Potential harm to the brain: Long-term anticholinergic use has been associated with increased General The most commonly reported side effects included somnolence, dizziness, and incoordination. [ Ref] Nervous system Common (1% to 10%): Sedation/somnolence/sleepiness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, headache, attention disturbance Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Extrapyramidal effects, tremor, convulsionsand readily penetrates the blood-brain-barrier. Thus side effects such as grogginess, drowsiness, and memory loss are common. Diphenhydramine is also used for motion sickness and extrapyramidal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients. Potential harm to the brain: Long-term anticholinergic use has been associated with increased Diphenhydramine, which is the active ingredient in ZzzQuil, can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of diphenhydramine include: drowsiness. dizziness. loss of ...Apr 23, 2021 · Hives. Swelling and inflammation. Redness. Runny nose and eyes. Coughing. Sneezing. Anaphylactic reaction. One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, which can help to calm anxious dogs ... Sleep aids: The options. Sleep aids available without a prescription are widely available. Common choices and the potential side effects include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. Side effects might include daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. Doxylamine (Unisom).Diphenhydramine or : Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may cause sedation the next day (due to its long half-life), decreased alertness, diminished cognitive function, delirium, ... Read More. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Learn how we can help. 5k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Jun 5, 2019 · The Major Antihistamine Effects of Diphenhydramine Prevents Histamine-Mediated: constriction of respiratory smooth muscle. rapid vasodilation in blood vessels. increased capillary permeability and subsequent edema. sensations of itching, pain, and “flare” formation. increase in heart rate and strength of contraction. Long-term use of Benadryl can also lead to constipation and confusion. Interactions. Benadryl containing diphenhydramine can interact with alcohol as both are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness may be enhanced when taking alcohol with diphenhydramine.Dizziness Nausea or vomiting Loss of appetite Constipation Increased chest congestion Headache Excitability (especially in children) Nervousness Benadryl can impair mental and motor functioning, as well as your performance at work or school. It can also impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle or other potentially dangerous equipment.Overdosing on diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can also lead to more serious side effects like severe confusion, seizures, low blood pressure, involuntary muscle spasms, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there), and heart rhythm problems. In fact, the FDA released a warning to avoid high doses of diphenhydramine.Official answer. Diphenhydramine can be used as a short-term sleep aid to help ease occasional sleep problems. Older adults, children under age 16 and pregnant women should avoid taking diphenhydramine, as the risks to these groups may outweigh the benefits. Diphenhydramine should not be taken as a treatment for chronic insomnia. Benadryl may cause serious side effects including: pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, painful or difficult urination, little or no urination, confusion, lightheadedness, tightness in your neck or jaw, and. uncontrollable movements of your tongue. Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.Diphenhydramine or : Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may cause sedation the next day (due to its long half-life), decreased alertness, diminished cognitive function, delirium, ... Read More. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Learn how we can help. 5k views Reviewed >2 years ago.Official answer. Diphenhydramine can be used as a short-term sleep aid to help ease occasional sleep problems. Older adults, children under age 16 and pregnant women should avoid taking diphenhydramine, as the risks to these groups may outweigh the benefits. Diphenhydramine should not be taken as a treatment for chronic insomnia.Long-term use may also lead to harmful side effects. The inability to fall or stay asleep can have a significant, negative impact on your mood, productivity, and overall health. Insomnia can also ...Benadryl and Depression. Although there is no direct effect of Benadryl on depression, regular and daily use of Benadryl does result in severe depression in the individual. It is believed to be helpful only for the short term, however, long term use of Benadryl results in certain depressive symptoms in the individual.Nov 15, 2019 · Central side effects. Since these actions are disrupted by sedating antihistamines, these drugs produce sedation, drowsiness, tiredness, lack of concentration, difficulty in learning and memory ... Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Benadryl Allergy. Summary. More frequent side effects include: sedated state and thickening of bronchial secretions. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Applies to diphenhydramine: oral capsules and tablets, parenteral injection. Side effects include:Apr 8, 2023 · The main long-term side effects of Plaquenil are eye-related. ... To manage your symptoms, they may suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine ... Applies to diphenhydramine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule, oral disintegrating strip, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet disintegrating. General The most commonly reported side effects included somnolence, dizziness, and incoordination.Yeah, look at r/dph.Datura is even worse. It's like dph, but way more likely to kill you or make you go blind. Shadow people and spiders and having full conversations with people who don't exist usually only happens in the 400+ category. Between 150mg and there, it's usually just having to piss but being unable to, dysphoria/fear, be Overdosing on diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can also lead to more serious side effects like severe confusion, seizures, low blood pressure, involuntary muscle spasms, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there), and heart rhythm problems. In fact, the FDA released a warning to avoid high doses of diphenhydramine.Oct 9, 2018 · Many older adults may take sleeping pills because pain, nerve problems or other health issues are keeping them up at night, she says. For these people, a sleeping pill is standing in the way of ... Yeah, look at r/dph.Datura is even worse. It's like dph, but way more likely to kill you or make you go blind. Shadow people and spiders and having full conversations with people who don't exist usually only happens in the 400+ category. Between 150mg and there, it's usually just having to piss but being unable to, dysphoria/fear, beChildren's Benadryl Allergy - Uses, Side Effects, and More Generic Name(S): diphenhydramine HCl, diphenhydramine citrate ... (such as long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in ...Oct 9, 2018 · Many older adults may take sleeping pills because pain, nerve problems or other health issues are keeping them up at night, she says. For these people, a sleeping pill is standing in the way of ... Section snippets Sedation. The sedation associated with diphenhydramine is one of the most acknowledged effects of this medication. Indeed, it is frequently used as a medication to treat insomnia. 3 The sedative effect of diphenhydramine is related to its easy penetration of the blood-brain barrier. 4 In the brain, diphenhydramine interferes with H 1 receptors, which causes drowsiness and ...First-generation antihistamines come with an increased risk of certain side effects and drug interactions, so they are not generally advised for long-term usage. “With first-generation antihistamines, some people note decreasing effectiveness if used daily for several days,” says Dr. Lin.May 13, 2021 · The active ingredient in Benadryl is called diphenhydramine. Like any medication, Benadryl has several side effects. Some of the most common are: feeling sleepy or drowsy. dry mouth or throat ... skin rash. swollen joints. stomach discomfort, upset or pain. tender swollen glands in neck. tremor. unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability. vomiting. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It is used in some allergy and sleep medicines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Benadryl and have Peripheral neuropathy. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 70,795 people who have side effects when taking Benadryl from the FDA, and is updated regularly. You can use the study as a second opinion to make health care decisions.skin rash. swollen joints. stomach discomfort, upset or pain. tender swollen glands in neck. tremor. unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability. vomiting. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.Jun 5, 2019 · Moderate and Severe Benadryl Side Effects. If patients are using Benadryl for an allergic reaction, and experience any of the following moderate to severe Benadryl side effects they should consult their medical doctor or contact emergency medical services to minimize injury to their health: Contact and Atopic dermatitis ~1.0-10.0%; Confusion One Benadryl per night seems to be enough to keep the ears dry & the resulting nausea at bay. I must admit that I'm not sure this is still even a problem for me. The last time I stopped to see if I still needed it was about 2 years ago. After 3 days, the dizziness/nausea/inner ear issues came back, so I promptly started taking the nightly ...Diphenhydramine is contraindicated in premature infants and neonates, as well as people who are breastfeeding. It is a pregnancy Category B drug. Diphenhydramine has additive effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors prolong and intensify the anticholinergic effect of antihistamines. OverdoseJan 6, 2023 · Diphenhydramine is a common ingredient in sleeping aids; it is also used to treat allergies. While effective, the risk of serious diphenhydramine side effects—including confusion, dizziness, urinary retention, and liver or kidney issues—is increased in people age 65 and older. May 7, 2021 · There is evidence that the use of diphenhydramine among older adults or the elderly may result in serious side effects. This holds true esp. if you are older than age 65. The older a person becomes, the greater the risk of adverse effects. Benadryl is listed as potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Adults ( also known as Beers criteria) Aug 25, 2021 · Examples of Viagra’s more commonly reported side effects include: headache. flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) stuffy nose. indigestion (upset stomach) mild vision ... Benadryl may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine.You may take an antihistamine every day to keep long-term allergy symptoms under control. Types of antihistamines. Second-generation antihistamine. If you take an antihistamine frequently or daily, your health care provider may recommend a second-generation antihistamine as they are less likely to cause side effects like sleepiness and fatigue ...Yeah, look at r/dph.Datura is even worse. It's like dph, but way more likely to kill you or make you go blind. Shadow people and spiders and having full conversations with people who don't exist usually only happens in the 400+ category. Between 150mg and there, it's usually just having to piss but being unable to, dysphoria/fear, be May 7, 2021 · There is evidence that the use of diphenhydramine among older adults or the elderly may result in serious side effects. This holds true esp. if you are older than age 65. The older a person becomes, the greater the risk of adverse effects. Benadryl is listed as potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Adults ( also known as Beers criteria) Adults and children ≥12 years of age receiving conventional or orally disintegrating tablets: Headache, somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth. Fixed combination loratadine (the active ingredient contained in Claritin) pseudoephedrine sulfate preparations: Insomnia, dry mouth, headache, somnolence, nervousness, dizziness, fatigue.“Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) were routinely administered in the chemotherapy I received for breast cancer. After 5 months of chemo, I attributed my loss of mental function to a condition I read about called “chemo brain” — and chalked it up as another price paid in side affects for the benefit of staying alive.Dizziness Nausea or vomiting Loss of appetite Constipation Increased chest congestion Headache Excitability (especially in children) Nervousness Benadryl can impair mental and motor functioning, as well as your performance at work or school. It can also impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle or other potentially dangerous equipment.But it has quite a long list of possible side effects. In fact, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has given serious warnings about them, even for people. The organization issued a 2019 position statement about Benadryl. They advised against the drug because of the high risk of side effects and overdose. They said the drug ...Oct 3, 2022 · Adults and children ≥12 years of age receiving conventional or orally disintegrating tablets: Headache, somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth. Fixed combination loratadine (the active ingredient contained in Claritin) pseudoephedrine sulfate preparations: Insomnia, dry mouth, headache, somnolence, nervousness, dizziness, fatigue. Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It is used in some allergy and sleep medicines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose.Nov 24, 2022 · But it has quite a long list of possible side effects. In fact, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has given serious warnings about them, even for people. The organization issued a 2019 position statement about Benadryl. They advised against the drug because of the high risk of side effects and overdose. They said the drug ... Besides having side effects including drowsiness, confusion, and urinary retention, a new study shows that frequent, long-term use of older antihistamines are associated with an increased risk of ...Potential Kidney Risks. Yes, long-term use of Benadryl can put strain on the kidneys, as it can build up in the system. This can cause toxicity and potentially lead to kidney damage. It's important to be aware of the potential side effects of long-term use and to consult a doctor if any symptoms arise.Nov 15, 2017 · Asthma. Car Sickness. Insomnia. Motion sickness. Reactions to Vaccines. Because one of the common side effect of Benadryl in dogs is drowsiness, your vet may use it to alleviate dog anxiety, particularly associated with traveling and motion sickness that may occur during plane rides or car trips.
Hives. Swelling and inflammation. Redness. Runny nose and eyes. Coughing. Sneezing. Anaphylactic reaction. One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, which can help to calm anxious dogs .... Juju smith schuster
• Common side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, diarrhea, earache or ear infection, flu, runny nose, and sinus infection.May 17, 2019 · Diphenhydramine, which is the active ingredient in ZzzQuil, can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of diphenhydramine include: drowsiness. dizziness. loss of ... Jul 9, 2015 · Higher dosage or long-term use of common drugs with anticholinergic effects is linked to significantly increased risk of dementia - including Alzheimer’s - says large study. Nov 15, 2019 · Central side effects. Since these actions are disrupted by sedating antihistamines, these drugs produce sedation, drowsiness, tiredness, lack of concentration, difficulty in learning and memory ... IV administration of 50 mg of DPH resulted in immediate improvement of tremor, rigidity, tachycardia, and eye versions. The patient was started on oral DPH 50 mg 4 times a day and the dose was reduced by 25% every 3 days. Oral clonidine 0.1 mg 3 times a day and a weekly 0.1 mg transdermal patch was added to mitigate sympathetic side effects.• Common side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, diarrhea, earache or ear infection, flu, runny nose, and sinus infection.Sep 4, 2023 · Impaired concentration. Memory difficulties. Anxiety. Stomach disturbances. Nausea and vomiting. A dry mouth. Constipation. Liver problems, etc. In certain people, a paradoxical reaction to diphenhydramine is possible, meaning that the drug causes different symptoms than the intended ones. Aug 15, 2023 · It can sometimes cause a decrease in memory, confusion, and thinking issues. These side effects are more common in elders. In addition, taking Benadryl long-term might increase the risk of dementia. People aged> 65 who took medications such as Benadryl daily for over three years had an increased risk of dementia. Benadryl and Depression. Although there is no direct effect of Benadryl on depression, regular and daily use of Benadryl does result in severe depression in the individual. It is believed to be helpful only for the short term, however, long term use of Benadryl results in certain depressive symptoms in the individual.May 17, 2018 · Answer From Eric J. Olson, M.D. It's unlikely you'll become dependent on zolpidem (Ambien). Ambien and similar sleep medications can be effective, and they're much less likely to be habit-forming than some other drugs sometimes prescribed for sleep problems — for example, benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) or ... Diphenhydramine or : Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may cause sedation the next day (due to its long half-life), decreased alertness, diminished cognitive function, delirium, ... Read More. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Learn how we can help. 5k views Reviewed >2 years ago.“The antihistamine diphenhydramine is only approved for management of short-term or temporary sleep difficulties, particularly in those people who have problems falling asleep,” Dr. What are the negative effects of Benadryl? Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of ...Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning. Diphenhydramine increased the risk of dementia by 54% in one 3,000 patient study followed for seven years.Benadryl can cause some children to be hyperactive. OTC cough and cold medicine should not be given to children under the age of 4. Research has shown that these products do not work in children younger than 6 years old and can have serious side effects.Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It is used in some allergy and sleep medicines. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. .