You’re probably familiar with Benadryl® - it’s a common over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. You might turn to it regularly if you have allergy or cold symptoms or trouble sleeping.
Because it's so familiar and easy to find, you might not realize it could have risks, especially if you take it every day. Here’s what you should know about Benadryl and why it’s important to talk to your health care provider if you use it often.
How does Benadryl work?
Benadryl’s main ingredient, diphenhydramine, stops a chemical messenger in your nervous system.
“Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, so it blocks the effect of histamine in the body," said Tara Carr, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Banner - University Medicine.
Allergic reactions often trigger a release of histamine, which can cause symptoms like sneezing, itching in the nose and throat, coughing and hives. Blocking this chemical helps to calm allergy symptoms and make you sleepy.
“While Benadryl is widely used for allergies, it isn’t that helpful for colds or infections," Dr. Carr said.
Benadryl is convenient for allergy symptoms because it starts to work quickly, but the effects usually wear off after a few hours. “People who have ongoing allergy symptoms like a persistent rash or seasonal nasal allergies might need to take Benadryl four times a day to keep their symptoms under control," Dr. Carr said.
It may not be safe or effective if you use it regularly. "Because diphenhydramine is an older drug, it isn’t targeted as precisely as some of our newer antihistamine options,” Dr. Carr said.
What are the risks of using Benadryl every day?
Using Benadryl regularly or for a long time may increase your risk of certain side effects:
- Sedation and brain fog: You might feel drowsy or mentally slow. You could feel groggy or have trouble thinking clearly. "Sometimes, older people or people who are already on other sedating medications can seem to have memory or thought problems while taking the medication. This improves when they stop taking it," Dr. Carr said.
- Tolerance and dependence: Over time, Benadryl may become less effective, especially for sleep.
- Falls and accidents: The drowsiness it causes can affect your balance and coordination, which can be especially dangerous for older adults.
- Dementia concerns: Research suggests that long-term use of medications like Benadryl may be linked to memory problems and an increased risk of dementia, especially for adults over 65. “This probably happens because of neurologic side effect mechanisms," Dr. Carr said. The risk is probably dose-dependent, so using Benadryl every once in a while is less likely to be an issue than using it every day.
Who should be especially careful with Benadryl?
You should talk to your health care provider before using Benadryl if:
- You are age 65 or older
- You have memory problems or a family history of dementia
- You have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate or heart issues
- You are considering Benadryl for a child, since Benadryl is not recommended for children under 6 unless a provider suggests it
Is Benadryl safe to use occasionally?
Occasional short-term use is generally safe for most healthy adults.
To help reduce risks, remember to:
- Follow the dosage instructions
- Avoid combining it with alcohol or other sedating medications
- Talk to your health care provider before using it often or long-term for sleep or allergy symptoms
What are safer alternatives to Benadryl?
"Fortunately, there are much better options than Benadryl," Dr. Carr said.
Allergies
For allergy relief, look for newer, second-generation antihistamines that are available over the counter and can be taken once a day with fewer side effects. “These are overall better tolerated and more effective because they don’t wear off so quickly," Dr. Carr said. Options include loratadine (Claritin®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®) or fexofenadine (Allegra®).
If those medications don’t work for you, you might need a different type of medication, like anti-inflammatory steroid nose sprays.
Colds
Most people find Benadryl doesn’t work well for cold symptoms. Your health care provider can recommend options that don’t have as many long-term risks.
Sleep
Start by focusing on good sleep habits. Discuss options with your health care provider, including sleep hygiene, supplements like melatonin, alternative sleep medications and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
When should you talk to your health care provider?
It's a good idea to check in with a health care provider if:
- You're using Benadryl daily or multiple times a week to sleep or manage symptoms.
- You notice side effects like confusion, dry mouth, constipation or dizziness.
- You have questions about safer alternatives or you're managing multiple medications or other health conditions.
The bottom line on Benadryl
While Benadryl can be helpful in the short term, it's not always the safest long-term solution, especially for older adults or people with certain health conditions.
At Banner Health, our care teams are here to help you manage allergies, improve your sleep and find safer treatment options. We want to help you feel your best — safely. Schedule an appointment with an expert at Banner Health to review your symptoms and medications.
