What not to take with Benadryl

Key takeaways

• Combining Benadryl with alcohol can significantly increase drowsiness. It can also increase the risk of side effects like dizziness, confusion, and reduced breathing rate. So it’s best to avoid alcohol entirely while taking this medication.
• Taking Benadryl with other antihistamines can heighten the risk of overdose or side effects. So, it is important to avoid combining Benadryl with medications like cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), or hydroxyzine (Vistaril) unless specifically directed by a healthcare professional.
• Benadryl can interact with antidepressants, potentially increasing side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Consulting a doctor about potential interactions and alternative medications is recommended when taking Benadryl with antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) or amitriptyline (Elavil).

Overview

Benadryl (the branded form of diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine medication that doctors prescribe to treat seasonal allergies, the common cold, and other allergic reactions that can cause itchiness and irritation. Benadryl can interact with several medications and supplements, such as antidepressants and melatonin.

When a medication interacts with another drug or supplement, you can develop undesired side effects. Interaction can also reduce the efficacy of certain medications, such as antidepressants, or change the way they act on your body, potentially causing the opposite intended drug effect.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Alcohol and Benadryl

If you are taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl), you should not drink any alcohol. This is because alcohol and Benadryl may interact and make you feel more drowsy than usual. Consuming alcohol while taking Benadryl may increase your risk of developing side effects, such as:

• dizziness
• confusion
• reduced breathing rate
• movement difficulties

If you regularly take Benadryl, it is best to contact a doctor to find out whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol and when you can consume it without having a higher risk of side effects.

Other antihistamines and Benadryl

Benadryl is a type of first-generation (H1) antihistamine. This means that alongside blocking histamine in your body, it can also pass the blood–brain barrier and enter your brain.

You should never take Benadryl alongside other H1 antihistamine drugs. Taking different types of antihistamines at the same time can increase the risk of developing the drugs’ side effects or experiencing an overdose.

You should avoid using Benadryl together with one of the following antihistamine medications unless directed to by a healthcare professional:

• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• meclizine (Antivert)
• promethazine (Promethegan)

If the benefit outweighs the risk, it may be possible to combine these medications, but only a healthcare professional can determine that.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Antidepressants and Benadryl

There are many different kinds of antidepressants, and some of them can interact with Benadryl and other antihistamines. For example, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) mixed with antihistamines may increase the side effects of either, including constipation, dry mouth, and confusion. Examples of these include:

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• clomipramine (Anafranil)
• imipramine (Tofranil)

Some 2022 research found that diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can increase the side effects of different antidepressants, including:

• sertraline (Zoloft)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)

The study also noted that older research suggested that diphenhydramine affects the metabolism of venlafaxine (Effexor). So it’s possible that Benadryl increases the concentration of antidepressants in your blood, meaning the risk of side effects is higher.

Drowsiness is a common side effect of different kinds of antidepressants. Taking antidepressant medications and Benadryl can increase the sedative effects of both medications.

Doctors can recommend how to take antidepressants and Benadryl to prevent increasing your risk of side effects. They can also advise about other alternative drugs that can replace Benadryl or your antidepressant medication that have a lower chance of interaction.

Melatonin and Benadryl

Melatonin is a hormone that your brain naturally produces. Melatonin increases sleepiness and promotes your sleep. It is available in the form of supplements that people often take when they have trouble sleeping or if they have a sleeping disorder.

Increased drowsiness is a common side effect people experience when taking Benadryl. Taking Benadryl with melatonin supplements can cause excessive sleepiness, making it difficult to perform daily tasks.

Melatonin has a moderate risk of interaction with Benadryl, and doctors do not typically recommend taking both medications at the same time, as well as other supplements that may make you more sleepy than usual. If you take Benadryl, it is best to speak with a doctor before taking melatonin.

What to do if you’ve accidentally taken medications together

If you’ve accidentally taken Benadryl with substances it might interact with, such as alcohol or other antihistamines, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They can assess whether the potential interaction is serious and provide guidance if necessary.

Make sure you keep an eye out for side effects of interactions.

Safe medications to take with Benadryl

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications, provided they are not antihistamines, is typically safe if you are using Benadryl. But if you have any concerns about taking a new medication while using Benadryl, you can contact a doctor and ask them if it is safe for you to do so.

OTC medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) do not show any particular interaction with Benadryl, but there are some known interactions with prescription drugs containing these active ingredients.

Doctors and pharmacists can discuss with you the safety of taking Benadryl in combination with other drugs.

Summary

Benadryl is an antihistamine drug used to treat the common cold, seasonal allergies, and other allergic reactions that cause itching and irritation. However, it should never be taken while consuming alcohol, as this can increase drowsiness and the risk of developing other side effects.

Benadryl is known for interacting with a variety of drugs and supplements, such as antidepressants and melatonin. Taking Benadryl with these medications can increase the risk of mutual side effects and reduce the effects of both drugs.

If you have any concerns about whether it is safe for you to take a new medication while you use Benadryl, you can contact a doctor. They can recommend how to take your medications and advise you about alternative treatment options that may have a lower risk of interaction.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.