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 Diphenhydramine hydrochloride competitively blocks H1receptors, thereby preventing the actions of histamine on bronchial smooth muscle, capillaries, and gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle. Ask your doctor before using diphenhydrAMINE together with ethanol. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information - This is because their bodies typically contain less water for alcohol to mix with, meaning that the same amount of alcohol would be more concentrated in a female than in a male.Mixing Benadryl with alcohol may be particularly hazardous for females, as consuming smaller amounts of alcohol could trigger adverse interaction effects.As Benadryl and alcohol both cause drowsiness and sedation, it may seem tempting to exploit this combination as a sleeping aid. The drug helps to reduce allergy symptoms, including rashes and coughs and irritated eyes, throat, and nose. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine which can be obtained both via a prescription and over-the-counter ().Diphenhydramine can be used to treat allergic reactions, insomnia, cough, motion sickness and Parkinsonism. Farzam K, O'Rourke MC. All rights reserved. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Mixing them can increase the risk of Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol so that it may stay in the system of an older adult for longer than someone younger. Diphenhydramine is available under the following different brand names: Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy Dye-Free LiquiGels, Children's Benadryl Allergy, Children's … Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that relieves symptoms of hay fever, allergies and the common cold, explains Everyday Health. It is possible that consuming small amounts of alcohol while taking Benadryl in a safe environment will cause no harm. However, the safest option is simply to abstain from alcohol while taking Benadryl.Under no circumstances should Benadryl and alcohol be mixed before engaging in any activity that required mental alertness, such as driving.If someone else has either intentionally or unintentionally mixed Benadryl with alcohol, it is important to ensure they are in a safe environment, where they can rest, if need be.It is best to consult with a doctor to determine when it would be safe to consume alcohol after taking Benadryl, as this will depend on other factors, such as age or other courses of medication.© 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. The drug is available over the counter and is the active ingredient in Benadryl as well as two of the three products in the Unisom line 3. Comprehensive alcohol & food interactions for diphenhydramine. In these people, combining Benadryl and alcohol is more likely to cause a loss of consciousness. Updated January 4, 2013. It normally takes about 30 minutes to work. Available for Android and iOS devices. You should be warned not to exceed recommended dosages and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness. This can be harmful due to the likelihood of falls and other accidents.Benadryl and alcohol are both known to dehydrate the body. I take Paxil and I needed to take some Alergy relief stuff. Due to its common side effect of drowsiness, many people use it as a sleep aid as well. Yes. Therefore, due to the risk of additive sedation, the … If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment to safely take this combination. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Diphenhydramine HCl works by blocking the action of histamine as well as acetylcholine, … This slowdown increases the time a person will be at risk of a harmful interaction between Benadryl and alcohol.Benadryl blocks the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Diphenhydramine has the potential to interact with some other drugs, especially those that affect the brain, so you may wish to review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist before using it. Antihistamines. They can include up to 10 percent alcohol, which may interact with Benadryl.As a consequence, taking Benadryl with these medications when consuming very small amounts of alcohol may still increase the risk of adverse side effects.In general, females are more susceptible to alcohol-related harm. The drug helps to reduce allergy symptoms, including rashes and coughs and irritated eyes, throat, and nose.While it does not impact on the liver, Benadryl is a Benadryl can cause side effects, including sedation and drowsiness, which impair coordination and reaction speed.Mixing Benadryl with alcohol can intensify these side effects and will impair a person’s daily functioning.This can be life-threatening if it involves certain activities, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.Some people are more prone than others to losing consciousness when sedated.