$Unique_ID{BRK01933}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DIPHENHYDRAMINE}
$Subject{AllerMax (Pfeiffer)
Belix (Halsey)
Benadryl (Parke-Davis)
Benadryl Kapseals (Parke-Davis)
Benylin Cough Syrup (Parke-Davis)
Bydramine Cough Syrup (Major)
Compoz (Jeffrey Martin)
Diphen Cough Syrup (My-K Lab)
diphenhydramine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
Dormarex 2 (Republic)
Hydramine (Goldline)
Nervine Night-time Sleep Aid (Miles)
Nordryl (Vortech)
Nytol (Block)
Sleep-Eze 3 (Whitehall)
Sominex 2 (Beecham)
Tusstat (Century)
Twilite (Pfeiffer)
Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid (Leeming)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Benadryl*0193301.scf
Benadryl Kapseal*0193302.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DIPHENHYDRAMINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     AllerMax (Pfeiffer)
     Belix [*] (Halsey)
     Benadryl [*] (Parke-Davis)
     Benadryl Kapseals (Parke-Davis)
     Benylin Cough Syrup [*] (Parke-Davis)
     Bydramine Cough Syrup [*] (Major)
     Compoz [*] (Jeffrey Martin)
     Diphen Cough Syrup [*] (My-K Lab)
     diphenhydramine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Dormarex 2 [*] (Republic)
     Hydramine [*] (Goldline)
     Nervine Night-time Sleep Aid [*] (Miles)
     Nordryl (Vortech)
     Nytol (Block)
     Sleep-Eze 3 [*] (Whitehall)
     Sominex 2 [*] (Beecham)
     Tusstat (Century)
     Twilite [*] (Pfeiffer)
     Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid (Leeming)
  *  Available over-the-counter (without a prescription)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antihistamine and sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     diphenhydramine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (50 mg)
     Capsules (25 mg and 50 mg)
     Elixir (12.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 14% alcohol)
     Oral syrup (12.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 5% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

USES

     This medication has multiple uses.  It belongs to a group of drugs known
as antihistamines (antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical
that is released by the body during an allergic reaction). It is, therefore,
used to treat or prevent symptoms of allergy.
     Diphenhydramine is also used to treat motion sickness and Parkinson's
disease, and it is used as a nighttime sleeping aid and nonnarcotic cough
suppressant.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach upset, you can take diphenhydramine with food or with a
full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The elixir and oral syrup forms of this medication should be measured
carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary
teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth,
throat, or nose; headache; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea;
restlessness; stomach upset; or unusual increase in sweating.  These side
effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so).
     To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
piece of hard candy.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
changes in menstruation, clumsiness, difficult or painful urination, feeling
faint, flushing of the face, hallucinations, palpitations, ringing or buzzing
in the ears, rash, seizures, shortness of breath, sleeping disorders, sore
throat or fever, tightness in the chest, unusual bleeding or bruising, or
unusual tiredness or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Diphenhydramine interacts with several types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or
with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) can increase the side effects of this medication.
At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO
inhibitor.
     3. Diphenhydramine can also decrease the activity of oral anticoagulants
(blood thinners, such as warfarin).
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to diphenhydramine or to any other antihistamine
(such as astemizole, azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine,
chlor-pheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine,
dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine,
phenidamine, promethazine, pyrilamine, terfenadine, trimeprazine,
tripelennamine, and triprolidine).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood
vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers,
enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness or dizziness.  Your ability to
perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution
should, therefore, be taken.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.  Also,
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
diphenhydramine pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or
irritability in nursing infants.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
