Drug Detail:Simply sleep (Diphenhydramine [ dye-fen-hye-dra-meen ])
Drug Class: Anticholinergic antiemetics Anticholinergic antiparkinson agents Antihistamines Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
Usual Adult Dose for Extrapyramidal Reaction
Oral: 25 to 50 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Parkinsonism of the elderly who are unable to tolerate more potent agents
- Mild cases of parkinsonism in other age groups
- Other cases of parkinsonism in combination with centrally acting anticholinergic agents
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia
Diphenhydramine Citrate: 76 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: 50 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Comment:
- Patients should contact their healthcare provider if symptoms of insomnia persist for more than 2 weeks while receiving treatment.
Uses:
- As a nighttime sleep aid
- To reduce difficulty falling asleep
- Relief of occasional sleeplessness
Usual Adult Dose for Motion Sickness
Oral:
- Prescription formulations: 25 to 50 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, with the first dose given 30 minutes before exposure to motion and repeated before meals and upon retiring throughout the duration of the journey.
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Use:
- Active and prophylactic treatment of motion sickness
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
Oral:
Diphenhydramine Citrate: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis due to foods
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema
- Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
- Dermatographism
- Therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute manifestations have been controlled
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Adult Dose for Cold Symptoms
Oral:
Diphenhydramine Citrate: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis due to foods
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema
- Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
- Dermatographism
- Therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute manifestations have been controlled
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Adult Dose for Pruritus
Oral:
Diphenhydramine Citrate: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis due to foods
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema
- Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
- Dermatographism
- Therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute manifestations have been controlled
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria
Oral:
Diphenhydramine Citrate: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 10 to 50 mg deep IM or IV as needed, and may increase to 100 mg if required
- Maximum dose: 400 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis due to foods
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema
- Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
- Dermatographism
- Therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute manifestations have been controlled
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
Prescription formulations:
1 month and older:
Oral: 12.5 to 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day; alternatively, weight-based dosing of 5 mg/kg orally per day OR body surface area dosing of 150 mg/m2 orally per day may be used
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 1.25 mg/kg deep IM or IV 4 times a day OR 37.5 mg/m2 deep IM or IV 4 times a day
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Oral Over-the-Counter (OTC) formulations:
Diphenhydramine Citrate:
6 to 12 years: 19 to 38 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 228 mg/day
12 years and older: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride:
2 to 6 years: 6.25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 37.5 mg/day
6 to 12 years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 150 mg/day
12 years and older: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Comments:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
- To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be given 30 minutes before exposure to motion and should be repeated before meals and upon retiring throughout the duration of the journey.
Uses:
- Active and prophylactic treatment of motion sickness
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cold Symptoms
Prescription formulations:
1 month and older:
Oral: 12.5 to 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day; alternatively, weight-based dosing of 5 mg/kg orally per day OR body surface area dosing of 150 mg/m2 orally per day may be used
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 1.25 mg/kg deep IM or IV 4 times a day OR 37.5 mg/m2 deep IM or IV 4 times a day
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Oral Over-the-Counter (OTC) formulations:
Diphenhydramine Citrate:
6 to 12 years: 19 to 38 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 228 mg/day
12 years and older: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride:
2 to 6 years: 6.25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 37.5 mg/day
6 to 12 years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 150 mg/day
12 years and older: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Comments:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
- To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be given 30 minutes before exposure to motion and should be repeated before meals and upon retiring throughout the duration of the journey.
Uses:
- Active and prophylactic treatment of motion sickness
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Pediatric Dose for Motion Sickness
Prescription formulations:
1 month and older:
Oral: 12.5 to 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day; alternatively, weight-based dosing of 5 mg/kg orally per day OR body surface area dosing of 150 mg/m2 orally per day may be used
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 1.25 mg/kg deep IM or IV 4 times a day OR 37.5 mg/m2 deep IM or IV 4 times a day
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Oral Over-the-Counter (OTC) formulations:
Diphenhydramine Citrate:
6 to 12 years: 19 to 38 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 228 mg/day
12 years and older: 38 to 76 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 456 mg/day
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride:
2 to 6 years: 6.25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 37.5 mg/day
6 to 12 years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 150 mg/day
12 years and older: 25 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Comments:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
- To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be given 30 minutes before exposure to motion and should be repeated before meals and upon retiring throughout the duration of the journey.
Uses:
- Active and prophylactic treatment of motion sickness
- Temporary relief of runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose/throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
- Temporarily relieves runny nose and sneezing due to the common cold
Usual Pediatric Dose for Insomnia
12 years and older:
- Diphenhydramine citrate: 76 mg orally once a day at bedtime
- Diphenhydramine hydrochloride: 50 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Comment:
- Patients should contact their healthcare provider if symptoms of insomnia persist for more than 2 weeks while receiving treatment.
Uses:
- As a nighttime sleep aid
- To reduce difficulty falling asleep
- Relief of occasional sleeplessness
Usual Pediatric Dose for Extrapyramidal Reaction
1 month and older:
Oral: 12.5 to 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day; alternatively, weight-based dosing of 5 mg/kg orally per day OR body surface area dosing of 150 mg/m2 orally per day may be used
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 1.25 mg/kg deep IM or IV 4 times a day OR 37.5 mg/m2 deep IM or IV 4 times a day
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Mild cases of parkinsonism
- Other cases of parkinsonism, including drug-induced, in combination with centrally acting anticholinergic agents
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Reaction
1 month and older:
Oral: 12.5 to 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day; alternatively, weight-based dosing of 5 mg/kg orally per day OR body surface area dosing of 150 mg/m2 orally per day may be used
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Parenteral: 1.25 mg/kg deep IM or IV 4 times a day OR 37.5 mg/m2 deep IM or IV 4 times a day
- Maximum dose: 300 mg/day
Comment:
- IV injection rates should not exceed 25 mg/min.
Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis due to foods
- Mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema
- Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma
- Dermatographism
- Therapy for anaphylactic reactions adjunctive to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute manifestations have been controlled
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in newborn or premature infants.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- Chewable tablets: Tablets should be chewed or allowed to dissolve on the tongue before swallowing.
- Oral powder: Oral powder formulations may be taken with or without water. Patients should avoid dividing the packet in half.
Storage requirements:
- Film-coated tablets: Avoid excessive heat (e.g., 37.8C) or humidity.
- Oral capsules and dissolving tablets: Avoid high humidity and protect from light.
- Oral liquid: Do not refrigerate. Store in the outer carton to protect from light when not in use.
- Parenteral formulations: Protect from light and freezing.
General:
- This drug reduces sleep onset and increases the depth and quality of sleep.
- Parenteral formulations should be reserved for situations where oral treatment is impossible or contraindicated.
Patient advice:
- This drug may cause drowsiness; patients should be told to avoid driving or operating machinery if they feel drowsy or dizzy.
Frequently asked questions
- How much Benadryl can I take? What is too much?
- What is the max dose of diphenhydramine for adults?
- Does Seroquel help you sleep?
- Does diphenhydramine raise blood pressure?
- How long does Benadryl take to work?
- Can diphenhydramine be used as a sleep aid?
- Does Benadryl make you sleepy?
- Does Benadryl help with or cause anxiety?
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride vs Citrate: What's the difference?
- Can you take Benadryl while pregnant?