Diphenhydramine - perhaps known most commonly as its brand name formulation Benadryl - is a first-generation H1 receptor antihistamine that is used extensively for the treatment of seasonal allergies, insect bites and stings, and rashes [L5263, L5266, L5269, F3379]. However, it also has antiemetic, antitussive, hypnotic, and antiparkinson properties [L5269, F3352]. As histamine receptors exist both peripherally and in the central nervous system, diphenhydramine has been shown to cause sedation due to its competitive antagonism of histamine H1 receptors within the central nervous system [L5263, L5266, L5269, F3379, A174541]. While its use in allergy therapy can sometimes fall out of favor due to its sedative effect, diphenhydramine has been repurposed for use within many non-prescription over-the-counter sleep aids and cough-and-cold medications that have been marketed for "night time" use [L5263, L5281, L5287]. Diphenhydramine is also used in combination with [DB14132] as the anti-nausea drug [DB00985] where it is utilized primarily for its antagonism of H1 histamine receptors within the vestibular system [A1540]. Diphenhydramine has also been shown to be implicated in a number of neurotransmitter systems that affect behaviour including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and opioid [A1539]. As a result, diphenhydramine is being investigated for its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties.
Synonyms
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
2-(benzhydryloxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine
β-dimethylaminoethanol diphenylmethyl ether
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine salicylate
Diphenhydraminum
Diphenhydramine citrate
β-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether
2-diphenylmethoxy-N,N-demthylethanamine
N-(2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylamine
Diphenhydramine methylbromide
α-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)diphenylmethane
O-benzhydryldimethylaminoethanol
Difenhidramina
Brand Names
Meijer Nighttime Sleep-aid Berry Flavor
ShopRite Pain Relief PM
The Itch Eraser Max Strength
Acetaminophen PM Rapid Release
Childrens Triacting Night Time Cold and Cough
Theraflu ExpressMax Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Tylenol PM Extra Strength
NightTime Sleep Aid Maximum Strength
Adventure Medical Kits 1-2 Person First Aid
CVS Health Nighttime Sleep-Aid
SleepAid (Diphenhydramine HCL)
CVS dye-free childrens allergy
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Zinc Acetate
Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
Dye Free Wal Sleep Z
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 50mg USP
CVS Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Flu Relief Therapy Nighttime Severe Cold
Mucinex Childrens Day Time Multi-Symptom Cold and Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold Triple Pack
Sleepeze
Theraflu Warming Relief Nighttime Severe Cold And Cough
Smart Sense Topical Analgesic Skin Protectant
Good Neighbor Allergy Relief
TRIAMINIC Childrens Night Time Cold and Cough
ShopRite Non Aspirin
Severe Cold Daytime Cold and Flu Nighttime
Night Time Cold and Flu
Doctor Manzanilla Cough and Cold
Complete Allergy Relief
After Sting
Smart Sense Triacting
Naramin
Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Nighttime Allergy Relief Extra Strength
Panadol PM
Unisom PM Pain Nighttime Sleep Aid and Pain Reliever
Sleep Easy
Topcare ZZZ Sleep
Texaclear Night Time Cough Cold/flu
Careone Ibuprofen PM
Sleep Time
Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Severe Congestion and Cough and Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Equaline Ibuprofen PM
Tranquil Nighttime
NON ASPIRIN PM Extra Strength
Cough Syr W Codeine Diphenhyd HCl & Ammon Cl
Wal Flu Severe Cold and Cough
Day and Night Cold PE
FIRST BXN Mouthwash
Vicks Cough and Congestion PM
SohMed Pain Relief PM
Benadryl Allergy Sinus Caplets
Childrens Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion
Equate Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
Dormax
Topcare Tussin CF Max
Savvy Itch Stopping
KMart - Pain Relief PM
Sleep-Aid Chewables Nighttime
Basic Care Daytime Severe Cold and Flu Nighttime Severe Cold, Cough and Flu
Rite Aid Nighttime Sleep Aid Non Habit Forming
Antihistamine Allergy
Up and Up Naproxen Sodium PM
Dye-free Allergy
Ibuprofen Nighttime
Allergy Elixir
AfterBite with Antihistimine
Harris Teeter Ibuprofen PM
Extra Strength Sinutab Sinus Nighttime
Junior Strength Allergy Formula
Wal-Dryl Allergy Plus Cold
Total Cold & Flu Combo
Extra Strength Allergy Formula Nighttime
Flu and Sore Throat
Balminil Codeine Night Time + Expectorant
Allergy, Lil Drug Store
DG Health Allergy
Valumeds Allergy Relief
7 Select Pain Relief PM
Smart Sense Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Tylenol Sinus and Allergy Severe
Nighttime Severe Cough and Cold
DAYTIME SEVERE COLD and COUGH NIGHTTIME SEVERE COLD and COUGH
Good Sense Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Vicks Childrens Cough Congestion
Leader allergy
Tylo Night (Acetaminophen)
TUSSIN CF NIGHTTIME COUGH and COLD
Sleep Aid Nighttime
Quality Choice Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Night Cough Liquid Fastgels
Benadryl Total
Complete One Cold and Flu Nightime Extra Strength Tablets
Dr. Cocoa Nighttime Cough and Cold
CVS cough and severe cold night time honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Naproxen Sodium and Diphenhydramine HCl
Restfully Sleep
Naproxen Sodium PM
Hydramine
Sound Body Pain Relief PM
Clear Allergy Formula for Children and Adults
Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion
Neocitran Total Cold Night
Signature Care Naproxen Sodium PM
Flu Relief
NightTime Cold and Cough Children
Good neighbor Pharmacy Itch Relief
Day and Night Cold
Meijer Nighttime Sleep Aid Non Habit Forming
Leader SleepTime
Quality Choice Itch Relief
Cold and Cough
Leader Headache Relief PM
Family Wellness Allergy
Rotosxika Sleep Aid Patch
CVS Pharmacy Daytime Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Kit
Sleep-Aid, Circle K
Live Better Anti-Itch
Walgreens night time wal-flu severe cold and cough honey lemon flavor infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Insomnal
Diphenhist
Allergy Formula
Kids Allergy
Damylin With Codeine Syrup
Nighttime Sleep-Aid Maximum Strength
Wal Dryl Childrens Allergy
Daytime Nighttime Severe Cough and Cold
Leader ibuprofen pm
Flu, Cough & Cold Complete Day and Night
Adventure Medical Kits 1-4 Person First Aid
Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel
Sleep-Aid Nighttime
Childrens Allergy Relief
Rx Act Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Betr Allergy Relief
Extra Strength Tylenol Nighttime
Alka-Seltzer Plus Allergy
Family Wellness Sleep Aid
Best Choice Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Smart Sense Nightime Sleep Aid
Benadryl Decongestant Tablets
Good Sense Allergy Relief
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Night
Nighttime Sleep Aid Liquid
Lotion Calamine Avec Antihistaminique
Theraflu Nighttime Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Powder
Jack & Jill Bedtime Cough & Cold
Leader Restfully Sleep
Nighttime Flu Relief Therapy Severe Cold
Extra Strength Dormex Capsules
Blistex Ivarest
Buckley's Nighttime Cough & Congestion
Leader Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Unisom SleepMinis Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Children's Allergy Formula Rapid Melts
Cough, Cold and Flu Nightime Caplets
Night Time Severe Cold and Cough
Up and Up Allergy Relief
ZZZTime
Kroger Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Triacting Night Time
Walgreens Original Strength Anti Itch
Leader Ibuprofen PM
Sleep Aid Extra Strength Tab 50mg
Allergy Capsules Extra Strength
Dye Free Childrens Allergy Relief
Benadryl Allergy Liquid
Preferred Plus Complete Allergy Medicine
Nighttime sleep aid
Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Multi-symptom Cold
Aller-aide Plus Capsules 50mg
Family Wellness Severe Cold and Cough
Axim Allergy
Children's Allergy Relief Liquid
Walgreens Anti Itch Cream
Zzzquil Alcohol Free
BENADRYL Extra Strength Itch Cooling
Benylin Sleep Time
Aller-aide Elixir
Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold and Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Nighttime Super Strength Contac Complete
Sleep Aid Plus Pain Relief
EZ Nite Sleep Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Health Mart ibuprofen PM
dg health Ibuprofen pm
Extra Strength Benadryl Allergy
Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Cooling
Sinus Relief Daytime Nighttime
Vicks ZzzQuil Liquid and Liquicaps Combo
Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Severe Congestion and Cough - Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Acetaminophen Diphenhydramine HCL
Cold and Flu
Anti itch Topical Analgesic
Benadryl Allergy Quick Dissolve
Extra Strength Nighttime Allergy Liquid Gel Capsules
Delsym Childrens Night Time Cough and Cold
rx act Pain Relief PM
Benadryl Capsules 50mg
Headache Formula PM
Ibuprofen Daytime, Ibuprofen Nighttime
Nighttime Cold and Cough Childrens
Diphenhydramine HCl Allergy Antihistamine
Allergy and Sinus Headache
Signature Care Ibuprofen PM
Total Cold Hot Lemon Relief
On The GO-Dose
Theraflu Warming Relief Flu and Sore Throat
Banophen
Dimetapp Cold and Cough and Nighttime Cold and Congestion
Extra Strength Acetaminophen PM
Kroger Allergy Relief
Wal-Dryl Allergy Dye-Free
CAREALL Diphenhydramine
Smart Sense Sinus Relief
Dg Health Anti Itch
Flu Relief Therapy
WinCo Original Strength Anti-Itch
Leader Headache PM Formula
Allergy Tablets 25mg
The Itch Eraser
Allergy Formula Liquid
Wal Dryl Allergy Childrens
Rotosxika Ventilation Health patch
Children's Benadryl Bug Bite Relief
Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime
AuroFlu Flu and Sore Throat Warming Relief
Severe Cold PE Multi-Symptom
Unisom SleepGels Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Healthy Accents Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Airacof
Ambenyl Cough Syrup
Severe Congestion and Cough/Cold and Flu Daytime/Nighttime/Maximum Strength
Best Choice Childrens Allergy Relief Bubblegum flavor
Contac-C Ext.stren.night Time Cough,cold&flu
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Caplets 25mg
Childrens Night Time COUGH and COLD RELIEF
Ag-diphenhydramine 25 mg
Bye Bye Bite Lot
AuroZzil NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID
Neocitran Thin Strips Nighttime Cough and Cold
Night Time Cold & Flu Liquid
Delsym Night Time Cough and Cold
CVS Nighttime Sleep Aid
Dye-Free ALLERGY
Naproxen Sodium Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Allernix Extra Strength
Sleepinal
FIRST Dukes Mouthwash Compounding
Wal-Dryl Maximum Strength
Unisom Sleep Gels
Careone Sinus Relief Day Time Night Time
Balminil Night-time
Extra Strength Non-Aspirin PM
Equate Ibuprofen PM
Aleve Nighttime
Unisom
Basic Care Daytime Severe Cold and Flu Nighttime Severe Cold Cough and Flu
Daytime Mucus Relief Severe Congestion and Cough and Nighttime Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Dormiphen Extra-fort Capsule
Instant Itch Relief CVS
Excedrin PM Triple Action Caplets and Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Reliever
CareOne Nighttime Sleep Aid
Premier Value Nighttime Sleep-Aid Liquid Sleep-Aid
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Sleep Time
Harris Teeter Sinus Relief
Children's Benadryl Allergy Fastmelt
AuroFlu Night Time Severe Cold and Cough Warming Relief
Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
Childrens Cold and Cough Nighttime
Mucinex Fast Max Day Time Severe Congestion and Cough and Night Time Cold and Flu
PM Get Relief
Healthy Accents Anti Itch
Smart Sense Sleep Aid
Maximum Strength Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Extra Strength Sleep Aid
Acetaminophen, Acetaminophen PM Extra Strength, Day and Night
Medique Diphen
Handy Solutions Allergy Relief
MYGRIN Nighttime
Nighttime Allergy
Nighttime Wal Flu Severe Cold and Cough
CareOne sinus relief day time sinus relief night time
CareOne Childrens Allergy Relief
Unisom C Nightime Sleep Aid Cap 50mg
Equate Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Rugby Diphenhist
Allernix Elixir
Drx Choice childrens allergy chews
Nighttime Sleep Aid Alcohol Free
Nighttime Cold and Cough Sugar-Free
Berkley and Jensen Allergy Relief
Easy Care First Aid Diphenhydramine
Dg Health Pain Relief PM
Diphenhydramine Hci
Good Sense Naproxen Sodium
Walgreens Daytime Nighttime Wal-Flu Severe Cold and Cough Kit
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Time Severe Congestion Relief and Mucinex Sinus-Max Night Time Congestion and Cough Maximum Strength
Tact Cool Jelly
Compoz MAXIMUM STRENGTH nighttime sleep aid
Nighttime Pain Plus Sleep
Diphenhydramine HCl and Zinc Acetate
Lil Drug Store Allergy Antihistamine
Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Pain Reliever & Sleep Aid
Smart Sense Allergy Relief
Allergy Relief Dye-Free Liquid Gels
Robitussin Night Time Cough, Cold and Flu
Dormiphen Extra-fort Comprime
Sinus Relief Daytime, Nighttime, Maximum Strength
Smart Sense Anti Itch Extra Strength
Dr. Cocoa for Children Nighttime Cough + Cold
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Elixir U.S.P.
Allergy Lil Drug Store Products
Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
PediaCare Childrens Nighttime Multi Symptom Cold
Sleeptime
Health Mart Childrens Allergy Relief
Motrin PM
Nighttime Pain Reliever plus Sleep Aid
Nighttime Cold, Cough & Flu
DrKids Childrens Muti Symptom Cold Flu and Sore Throat Nighttime
Childrens Dimetapp Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu
Nighttime Pain Relief
Smart Sense Childrens Nighttime Cold and Cough
Contac Day & Night Sinus/allergy Caplet
Genexa Acetaminophen PM Extra Strength
severe cold, cold and flu Daytime/Nighttime
Mucus Relief All In One Daytime Nighttime Cold Flu Maximum Strength
Sunmark Anti-itch
Childrens Benadryl DYE-FREE ALLERGY
DG Health Tussin
Nightime Sleep Aid
Benadryl Bug Bite Relief
Rexall Childrens Allergy
Nitetime Sleep Aid
Benylin for Children All-IN-one Cold & Fever Nightime
Dg Health Sleep Aid
Caring Mill Night Time Sleep Aid
Goodys PM Pain Reliever
Preferred Plus Sinus Relief Day Tiime Night Time
Itch Relief Stick
Childrens Benadryl Allergy
Daytime Severe Cold and Flu Nighttime Severe Cold, Cough and Flu
Careone Allergy
Nighttime Cold and Flu
Children Allergy Dye-Free Wal Dryl 20 single doses x 5mL ea
Robitussin Direct Runny Nose
Childrens Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Sleep Aid NightTime
Pain reliever PM Extra Strength
Extra Strength Tylenol Allergy Sinus Nighttime Caplet
Lil Drug Store Products Allergy Antihistamine
Childrens Benadryl ALLERGY
Careone Naproxen Sodium PM
Aurodryl childrens Allergy
Texaclear PM Pain Reliever Sleep Aid
After Bite Plus
Topcare Anti Itch
Health Mart severe cold cough and flu
Benylin Night Cough
Indication
Diphenhydramine is a first-generation histamine H1 receptor antagonist (H1 antihistamine) that is widely available as a non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medication. As an OTC medication, diphenhydramine is typically formulated as tablets and creams indicated for use in treating sneezing, runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, itching of nose or throat, insomnia, pruritis, urticaria, insect bites/stings, allergic rashes, and nausea [L5263, L5266, L5269, F3379, A174541]. Additionally, when the use of oral diphenhydramine is impractical, there are also prescription-only formulations such as diphenhydramine injection products that are effective in adults and pediatric patients (other than premature infants and neonates) for: i) the amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma, in anaphylaxis as an adjunct to epinephrine and other standard measures after acute allergic reaction symptoms have been controlled, and for other uncomplicated allergic conditions of the immediate type when oral therapy is impossible or contraindicated [F3352]; ii) the active treatment of motion sickness [F3352]; and iii) use in parkinsonism when oral therapy is impossible or contraindicated, as follows: parkinsonism in the elderly who are unable to tolerate more potent agents; mild cases of parkinsonism in other age groups, and in other cases of parkinsonism in combination with centrally acting anticholinergic agents [F3352].
Categories
Agents producing tachycardia
Amines
Aminoalkyl Ethers
Anesthetics
Anesthetics, Local
Anti-Allergic Agents
Anticholinergic Agents
Antiemetics
Antihistamines for Systemic Use
Antihistamines for Topical Use
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products
Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products, Non-Steroids
Antipruritics, Incl. Antihistamines, Anesthetics, Etc.
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682