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
β-dimethylaminoethanol diphenylmethyl ether
2-diphenylmethoxy-N,N-demthylethanamine
N-(2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylamine
2-(benzhydryloxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine
Difenhidramina
O-benzhydryldimethylaminoethanol
α-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)diphenylmethane
Diphenhydramine citrate
Diphenhydraminum
Diphenhydramine methylbromide
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Diphenhydramine salicylate
β-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether
Diphenhydramine
Brand Names
Delsym Night Time Cough and Cold
Anti-Itch Wal-Dryl
Salonpas Medicated Plaster
CVS Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Flu Relief Therapy Night Time
Benylin Sleep Time
Up and Up Naproxen Sodium PM
Deluxe Dental Emergency Kit
SanaTos Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Childrens Mucinex Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
Allergy Relief
Severe Congestion and Cough, Cold and Flu Daytime, Nighttime
Sleep Time
Sleep Aid Nighttime
Unisom PM Pain Nighttime Sleep Aid and Pain Reliever
Allergy Relief Diphenhydramine HCl
Johnson and Johnson First Aid All Purpose 160 CT
7-Select Advil PM
SnoozEase Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Diphenhydramine HCl 25mg
AuroFlu Flu and Sore Throat Warming Relief
Zzzquil Alcohol Free
Diphenhydramine HCl Inj USP 50mg/ml
Flu and Sore Throat
Geri-Dryl allergy relief
Cough, Cold and Flu Relief Complete Night Super Strength
Nighttime Cold and Cough Sugar-Free
Extra Strength Mapap PM
Harris Teeter Acetaminophen PM
Severe Cold Cough and Flu
Allernix HCl Cap 25mg U
Allergy 36ct, Caseys 4good
Careone Allergy
Wal-dryl Itch Relief
Mucinex Childrens Day Time Multi-Symptom Cold and Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
Cough and Cold Nighttime
CareOne Triacting Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
Allernix Elixir
Ibuprofen and Diphenhydramine HCl
Wal-dryl Allergy
Leader SleepTime
Easy Care First Aid Diphenhydramine
Advil PM, TRAVEL BASIX
Pain Reliever PM
Publix allergy
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Time Severe Congestion Relief and Mucinex Sinus-Max Night Time Congestion and Cough Maximum Strength
Sinus Relief Daytime Nighttime
Jack & Jill Bedtime Cough & Cold
Ibuprofen and Diphenhydramine Citrate
Allergy Tablets 25mg
Jamp Diphenhydramine Children's Syrup
After Sting
Shopko Anti-Itch
Allergy plus Sinus Headache
Sleep-Aid Chewables Nighttime
Sleeptime
Complete One Cold and Flu PE Night
IC Ivy Relief
Pain Relief plus Sleep Aid
Night Time Severe Cold and Cough Relief
North Antihistamine
Severe Cold, Flu and Cough
Family Wellness Severe Cold and Cough
Flu Relief Therapy Severe Cough and Cold Nighttime
Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
Healthy Accents Severe Cold
Night Time Sleep Aid
Sound Body Childrens Allergy Relief
Children's Benadryl-D Syrup
Formu Care Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Night Time
Betr Allergy Relief
CareOne sinus relief day time sinus relief night time
Topcare ZZZ Sleep
Careone Allergy Relief
Robitussin Night Time Cough and Cold
Healthy Accents Allergy
Careone Sinus Relief Day Time Night Time
SunMark Night Time Sleep Aid
Allergy Formula Caplets
Allergy Severe
Wal Flu Severe Cold and Cough Daytime Nighttime
Childrens Wal-Dryl Allergy
Children's Benadryl-D Allergy & Sinus
Triacting Night Time
Texaclear Night Time Cough Cold/flu
Allergy Plus Congestion Relief
Allergy Relief Childrens
Vicks childrens Cough Congestion Night
Diphenhydramine HCl and Zinc Acetate
The Itch Eraser Gel
Complete Allergy Medicine
NightTime Cold
Benylin All-IN-one Cold and Flu Night PE Caplets
Sleep aid Maximum Strength
Up and Up Nighttime Sleep Aid
Kids-EEZE Allergy
LEADER Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Acetaminophen / Diphenhydramine 500/25 mg
Severe Congestion and Cough/ Cold and Flu Daytime/nighttime
Rx Act Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
MAXIMUM STRENGTH Nighttime Sleep Aid
Diphenhist
Advil Day/night Convenience Pack
Allergy Formula Elixir
Buckley's Complete Relief
Delsym Cough Plus Cold Day Time and Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
DayTime Mucus Relief Severe Cold and Nighttime Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Meijer Anti-itch
Basic Care severe cold and cough
PAIN RELIEVER PM Extra Strength
Dye-free Allergy Relief
Harris Teeter Sinus Relief
Meijer Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Extra Strength Benadryl Allergy Nighttime
Leader Headache PM Formula
Extra Strength Pain Relief PM
Simply Sleep
Benadryl Decongestant Tablets
Each Relief Equate
Unisom SleepMinis Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Benadryl Spray
Good Sense Ibuprofen PM
Allergy Relief Plus Congestion
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Antihistamine
Anti-Itch Extra Strength
Nighttime Symptom Relief Extra Strength for Symptoms Of Cold and Cough
Itch Relief Stick
Severe Congestion and Cough/Cold and Flu Daytime/Nighttime/Maximum Strength
Day and Night Sinus
Basic Care Allergy Relief
Select Health Allergy Relief Cherry
Health Mart Nighttime Sleep Aid
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Caplets 50 mg
Equaline Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Good Sense Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Extra Strength Nighttime Pain Reliever / Sleep Aid
Allergy, Sinus and Headache Relief Medication
Sleep-eze Eze-liquid
PediaCare Childrens Allergy and Cold
Itch relief Cream
Triaminic Nighttime Cough and Cold
Good Sense Nighttime Sleep Aid
Good Sense Pain Relief PM
Total Cold Night
SohMed Pain Relief PM
Dermamine Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Signature Care Allergy Relief
Sinus Relief Daytime, Nighttime
Dreamol Extra Strength
Night Time Cough and Cold Relief
Advil Nighttime
Aceta-gesic
Only For BODY PAIN
AuroFlu Night Time Severe Cold and Cough Warming Relief
Aller-aide Plus
Allergy Get Relief
Severe Cold
Pain Reliever PM Extra Strength
Severe Allergy Plus Sinus Headache Maximum Strength
Topcare pain relief PM extra strength non habit forming
Daytime Nighttime Severe Cold and Flu Relief
Tekral
Sleep II Nighttime Sleep Aid
Basic Care Naproxen Sodium PM
Sominex
Childrens Allergy Melts
Discount Drugmart Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Sleep-eze Extra Strength Minis
Regular Strength Dormex Capsules
Sound Body Nighttime Sleep Aid
Smart Sense Childrens allergy relief
Adult Allergy Relief Dye Free
Nighttime Cold, Cough & Flu
Rugid Itch and Pain Relief
Good Neighbor Allergy Relief
Junior Strength Allergy Tablets
Total Cold & Flu Combo
Sleep Aid Extra Strength
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Night Maximum Strength
Rexall Sleep Aid
Only For FIRST AID MEDICINE
Advil Flu
Johnson and Johnson All Purpose First Aid Kit
Cough and Allergy Syrup With Codeine
Benadryl PE Total Extra Strength
Naproxen Sodium PM
Allergy and Cold Relief
Wal-Phed PE, Multi-Symptom
Extra Strength Night Time Pain Relief
basic care acetaminophen PM
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Zinc Acetate
Pain Reliever and Sleep Aid
Mountain Series Weekender Medical
Sebrx Topical Analgesic
Extra Strength Night Time Pain Medicine
First Aid Shot Therapy Sleep Aid
Extra Strength Simply Sleep Liqui-gels
FIRST Dukes Mouthwash Compounding
Theraflu Nighttime Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Powder
VICKS ZzzQuil NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID Diphenhydramine HCl FREE OF
Good Sense Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
ShopRite Childrens Allergy
Benylin Extra Strength All-IN-one Cold, Flu & Cough Night
Sleep Eze D Extra Strength Caplet 50mg
Restfully Sleep
AuroMucus Fast Maximum Night Time Cold and Flu
Dimetapp Cold and Cough and Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion
Benylin for Children Cough Night
Dye Free Wal Sleep Z
Endal CD
Sedicin Tablets 25mg
Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Congestion and Cough Clear and Cool and Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Clear and Cool
Pain Relief PM Rapid Release
Health Mart Childrens Allergy Plus Congestion
Pain Relief Acetaminophen PM
Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu
Leader Childrens Allergy Relief
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Dye-Free Adult ALLERGY
Smart Sense Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
TheraCare Extra Strength Anti-Itch Cream Itch Stopping
Betr sleep aid
Ambenyl Cough Syrup
Excedrin PM
Pain Reliever Extra Strength PM
7 Select Night Time Sleep Aid
Sleep
Aurophen PM Extra Strength
Allergy Formula Liquid Gels
Benadryl Allergy Liquigels
SohMed Allergy
Vicks Childrens Cough Congestion
Harris Teeter Anti-Itch
Benadryl Allergy Liqui-Gels
Armand Regular Strength Itch Stopping
Insomnal DS
Cough, Cold & Flu
Nytol Tablet 25mg
Advil Cold & Flu
Childrens Allergy
Childrens Delsym Cough Plus Chest Congestion DM and Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Quality Choice Extra Strength Anti Itch
Valumeds Aspirin Free Headache Relief PM
Children's Allergy Relief Liquid
Wal-Sleep Z Diphenhydramine HCl / Sleep Aid
Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Cold and Flu and Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu
Allergy Relief Dye-Free Softgel
Itch Relif Cvs
Quality Choice night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Childrens Benadryl Chewables
NightTime Sleep Aid Maximum Strength
Motrin PM
Ibuprofen Nighttime
Triaminic Day - Night Club Pack
Day and Night Cold PE
Topcare Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
RiteAid Nighttime Sleep Aid
Non-Aspirin PM Extra Strength
Calmylin #4 Syr
Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Daytime and Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime
Medique Diphen
Basic Care Daytime Severe Cold Nighttime Cold and Flu
Sound Body Pain Relief PM
Sleep Aid (regular Strength) Tab 25mg
Children's Tylenol Cold and Cough Nighttime
Smart sense Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Neocitran Extra Strength Cold & Cough Night
Leader Headache Relief PM
Legatrin PM
Childrens Nighttime Cold and Cough
Bite and Itch
Z-sleep
Mucus Relief All In One Daytime Nighttime Cold Flu Maximum Strength
Vicks ZzzQuil Night Pain
Severe Cold Relief PE
Antiphlamine Coin Plaster
Daytime Nighttime Severe Cold Cough and Flu Relief
Extra Strength Acetaminophen PM
Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Children's Cough, Cold & Allergy Strips
Helath Mart Childrens allergy relief dye free
Suppress Cough Syr W.cod.diphen.hcl Amm.chl.
healthy mama eaZZZe THE PAIN
Leader Restfully Sleep
Premier Value Sleep-Aid
Preferred Plus Severe Cold Cough and Flu
Severe Cold Daytime Cold and Flu Nighttime
Allergy and Sinus Headache
Sleep Aid Maximum Strength Nighttime
Wal-Phed PE Daytime / Nighttime
Fast Maximum Night Time Cold and Flu
Preferred Plus Cold and Flu Night Time
Pain Relief PM Extra Strength Aspirin Free
Mucus Relief Severe Cold Daytime Cold and Flu Nighttime
Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Sleep Aid Liquid Fastgels
CareOne Day Time Severe Cold Night Time Cold and Flu
CVS Pharmacy Daytime Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Kit
Zzz Sleep
Extra Strength First Aid Anti-itch Rite Aid
Anti Itch Cream
Jack & Jill Thin Strips Cough & Cold
Nytol QuickCaps
Rotosxika Sleep Aid Patch
Sleep-Aid, Circle K
Benadryl Allergy & Sinus
Wal-Phed PE Pressure plus Pain plus Cold Daytime, Nighttime, Multi-Symptom
Walgreens Anti Itch
Childrens Benadryl DYE-FREE ALLERGY
Dormmy-lon
Best Choice Childrens Allergy Relief Bubblegum flavor
Sinus Pressure and Pain Daytime Nighttime Maximum Strength
Bactimicina Childrens Allergy
ShopRite Pain Relief PM
Daytime Mucus Relief Nighttime Cold and Flu
Children's Allergy Formula Rapid Melts
Robitussin Peak Cold Nighttime Multi-symptom Cold
Wal Sleep Z
Flu and Severe Cold Nighttime Relief
Live Better Anti-Itch
Di-phen
Care One Pain Relief and Pain Relief PM
Contac-C Ext.stren.night Time Cough,cold&flu
Allergy relief
Fridababy Children Allergy Relief Diphenhydramine HCl 12.5mg per 5mL vial , 15ct
Complete Allergy
PMS-diphenhydramine Elixir 2.5mg/ml
Benadryl Allergy Ultratab
Welby Allergy Relief
Leader Cold and Flu
PediaCare Childrens Nighttime Multi Symptom Cold
ShopRight Childrens Nighttime Cold and Cough
Sleep-Aid Regular Strength
Maximum Strength First Aid Anti-Itch Rite Aid
Dr. Cocoa for Children Nighttime Cough + Cold
Theraflu Expressmax Daytime Severe Cold and Cough and Theraflu Expressmax Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Dg Health Allergy Relief
Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
CoreTex Anti-Itch Gel
Childrens WAL-DRYL Single-Use Allergy
Pain Plus Sleep
Leader allergy
Mucinex Fast Max Day Time Severe Congestion and Cough and Night Time Cold and Flu
Childrens Triacting
Nighttime Liquigel Sleep-aid
Healthy Accents Nighttime Sleep Aid
Severe Allergy Plus Sinus Headache
Weeks and Leo Extra Strength Itch Stopping
7 Select Allergy
Allergy Liquid Gel Capsules
Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Cooling
Nighttime Sleep Aid Softgels
Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Valumeds Nighttime Sleep Aid
Sleep Nighttime Sleep Aid
Topcare Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Antihistimine Allergy
Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold Flu Nighttime
Advil Pain & Head Cold Night
Sinutab PE Sinus and Allergy
Childrens Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Injection USP
Dg Health Headache Relief PM
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Itch Relief Extra Strength
Correct Dose Childrens Allergy Relief
ShopRite Nighttime Flu Plus Severe Cold and Cough
DM Cough Syrup
FIRST Marys Mouthwash Compounding
Triaminic Thin Strips Nighttime Cold & Cough
Benadryl
Severe Allergy And Sinus Headache Maximum Strength
Kroger NiteTime Flu plus Severe Cold and Cough
Nighttime Cold and Flu-IN-one Extra Strength
CVS Extra Strength Itch Relief
Smart Sense Ibuprofen PM
Cough, Cold and Flu Nightime Caplets
Sleepeze Gelcaps
Novex Diphenhydramine
Severe Allergy
TopCare night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
The Itch Eraser With Antihistamine
Complete Allergy Relief
Childrens Allergy Relief Dye Free
Extra Strength Allergy Total
Family Wellness flu and severe cold and cough nighttime
Unisom Sleep Gels
Dye-Free Allergy
Medi-First Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Allergy Formula
Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
Percogesic Extra Strength
Wal-Nadol PM
Robitussin Night Time Cough, Cold and Flu
Mucinex Childrens Day Time Multi-Symptom Cold and Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold Triple Pack
Nytol
Daytime Cold and Flu Relief Softgels Non-drowsy
Benadryl Allergy Sinus Caplets
Vicks Cough and Congestion PM
Wal-Dryl Allergy Dye-Free
Wal-Dryl PE ALLERGY PLUS CONGESTION
Diphenhydramine HCl, Zinc Acetate
Cold and Cough MULTI-SYMPTOM DAYTIME / NIGHTTIME
Benadryl Allergy Liquid
Allergy Elixir
Qdryl Allergy
Allerdryl Cap 25mg
Midol PM
Caring Mill Childrens Allergy
Balminil Night-time
DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE 50mg
Childrens Allergy Relief Dye-Free
Allerdryl Cap 50mg
End-A-flu Multi-symptom Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime Formula
Healthy Accents Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Sleep Aid Nite Time
Good Sense Itch Relief
Itch Relief Cream
Ibuprofen and Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Capsules
Dg Health Naproxen Sodium PM
Wal-Dryl Maximum Strength
CVS Health Nighttime Sleep Aid
Extra Strength Sinus Relief Nighttime
CareOne Allergy Relief
Insomnal
CVS Health Childrens Allergy Relief
Rexall Childrens Allergy
Extra Strength Nitetime Sleep Aid Gel Caps
Handy Solutions Allergy Relief
Circle K Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Childrens Dye Free Allergy
Allergy Formula Liquid
TopCare Anti-Itch
Exchange Select Sleeptime
Axim Allergy
Select Brand Itch Relief
Balminil Codeine Night Time + Expectorant
Allergy Plus Sinus Relief
Kroger NiteTime Cold and Flu
Allergy Relief, 24-7 Lift by 7-Eleven
Acetaminophen Diphenhydramine HCL
Topcare Pain Relief PM
Welly Childrens Travel Medicine
Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Cold and Flu and Night Time Cold and Flu
Up and Up Nighttime Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
SunMark Allergy Relief
Winco Foods Childrens Allergy Relief Dye Free
Day and Night Cold
Sinus Relief Day Night
Benadryl Total
Nighttime sleep aid
Allergies MY CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH
Tact Cool Jelly
Calamine Lotion With Antihistamine
Pain Relief PM extra Strength
Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine HCL
Careone Pain Relief PM
severe cold, cold and flu Daytime/Nighttime
Equate Ibuprofen PM
Benylin Cough and Cold Night Strips
Sunmark z-sleep
Severe Cold and Cough Night Time
Allergy Relief Dye Free
Allergies Relief
Childrens Allergy Dye-Free Wal Dryl
ZoDen PD
Hydramine
Allergy Relief Extra Strength Nighttime
Tact
Aller-aide
Sunmark Pain Reliever PM Extra Strength
Smart Sense Nighttime Sleep Aid
Allergy Softgel
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 50 Mg Capsule
Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
Nighttime Sleep Easy
Wal Flu Severe
DayTime NightTime Cold/Flu
Vicks Nyquil Hot Remedy
Rite Aid Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Relief
Nytol Extra Strength Sleep Aid Caplet 50mg
Best Choice Itch Stopping
Facol Cold and Flu Night
Best Choice Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Robitussin Honey Severe Cough, Flu Plus Sore Throat Nighttime
Buckley's Complete Relief + Mucus
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