Alka-Seltzer PM Pain Reliever and Sleep Aid (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Citrate and Aspirin), AllerMax, AllerMax Caplets, Bayer PM Extra Strength Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Aspirin), Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Benadryl Allergy & Cold Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy & Cold Fastmelt Children's (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Citrate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy & Sinus (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Children's (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Fastmelt (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Citrate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy & Sinus Headache Caplets Maximum Strength (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Benadryl Allergy Chewables Children' s, Benadryl Allergy Kapseals, Benadryl Allergy Ultratab, Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Children' s, Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Liqui-Gels, Benadryl Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache Caplets Maximum Strength (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid Gelcaps, Diphen AF Elixir, Diphenhist, Diphenhist Captabs, Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Caplets, Doan's P.M. Extra Strength Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Magnesium Salicylate), Excedrin P.M. Caplets, Excedrin P.M. Geltabs, Excedrin P.M. Tablets, Genahist, Genahist Elixir, Goody's PM Powder, Hydramine Cough Syrup, Hydramine Elixir, Legatrin PM Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Miles Nervine Nighttime Sleep-Aid, Nytol QuickCaps Caplets, Nytol Quickgels Maximum Strength, Percogesic Aspirin-Free Caplets Extra Strength (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Simply Sleep Nighttime Sleep Aid Caplets, Sine-Off Night Time Relief Sinus Cold & Flu Medicine GelCaplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Sleepinal Night-time Sleep Aid Softgels, Sominex CapletsMaximum Strength, Sominex Nighttime Sleep Aid, Sominex Pain Relief Formula (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Sudafed Sinus Nighttime Plus Pain Relief Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Twilite Caplets, Tylenol Allergy Sinus NightTime Maximum Strength Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Tylenol Allergy-D Children's as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, Tylenol Flu NightTime Maximum Strength Gelcaps (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride), Tylenol PM Extra Strength Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Tylenol PM Extra Strength Gelcaps (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Tylenol PM Extra Strength Geltabs (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Tylenol Severe Allergy Caplets (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen), Unisom SleepGels Maximum Strength

Diphenhydramine is used to relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. Diphenhydramine is also used to relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation. Diphenhydramine is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Diphenhydramine is also used to control abnormal movements in people who have early stage parkinsonian syndrome (a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance) or who are experiencing movement problems as a side effect of a medication. Diphenhydramine will only relieve the symptoms of these conditions but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Diphenhydramine is used to treat these conditions in adults and children over age 2. Diphenhydramine should not be given to children younger than 2 years old because it may cause serious or life-threatening side effects in young children. Diphenhydramine should not be given to children older than 2 years old but younger than 6 years old unless prescribed by a doctor and should be used carefully in children who are 6-11 years old. Diphenhydramine should not be used to cause sleepiness in children younger than 12 years of age. Diphenhydramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Diphenhydramine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, a rapidly disintegrating (dissolving) tablet, a capsule, a liquid-filled capsule, a dissolving strip, and a liquid to take by mouth. When diphenhydramine is used for the relief of allergies, cold, and cough symptoms, it is usually taken very 4-6 hours. When diphenhydramine is used to treat motion sickness, it is usually taken 30 minutes before departure and, if needed, before meals and at bedtime. When diphenhydramine is used to treat insomnia it is taken at bedtime (30 minutes before planned sleep). When diphenhydramine is used to treat abnormal movements, it is usually taken three times a day at first and then taken four times a day. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diphenhydramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or directed on the label.

Diphenhydramine comes alone and in combination with pain relievers, fever reducers,and decongestants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.

If you are taking the dissolving strips, place the strips on your tongue one at a time and swallow after they melt.

If you are taking the rapidly dissolving tablets, place a tablet on your tongue and close your mouth. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without water.

If you are taking the chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly before swallowing.

If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. Do not try to break the capsules.

If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication.

Diphenhydramine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dry mouth, nose, and throat
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• increased chest congestion
• headache
• muscle weakness
• excitement (especially in children)
• nervousness

Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• vision problems
• difficulty urinating or painful urination

Diphenhydramine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diphenhydramine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: other diphenhydramine products (even those that are used on the skin), other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for anxiety, depression or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other types of lung disease; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland); heart disease; high blood pressure; seizures; or an overactive thyroid gland.If you will be using the liquid, tell your doctor if you have been told to follow a low-sodium diet.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking diphenhydramine, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking diphenhydramine.
• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. Avoid alcoholic beverages while you are taking this medication.
• if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that some brands of chewable tablets and rapidly disintegrating tablets that contain diphenhydramine may be sweetened with aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Diphenhydramine is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take diphenhydramine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about diphenhydramine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.