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
Diphenhydramine salicylate
Difenhidramina
β-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether
α-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)diphenylmethane
N-(2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylamine
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine citrate
Diphenhydraminum
2-(benzhydryloxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine
O-benzhydryldimethylaminoethanol
Diphenhydramine methylbromide
2-diphenylmethoxy-N,N-demthylethanamine
β-dimethylaminoethanol diphenylmethyl ether
Brand Names
Rexall Sleep Aid
Facol Cold and Flu Day and Night
Sleeptime Dry Cough
severe cold and sinus relief PE
Allergy and Sinus Headache
Severe Allergy Plus Sinus Headache Maximum Strength
Extra Strength Pain Relief PM
Childrens PediaClear Cough
Tekral
Sleepeze
Aller-aide Elixir
Zzzquil Alcohol Free
Benadryl Allergy Sinus Caplets
7 Select Allergy
Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
Antihistamine Allergy
Pain Reliever Sleep Aid Extra strength
Wal Dryl Allergy Childrens
Sleep-EZ Nighttime Sleep Aid
Nytol QuickCaps
Our Family night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Allergy Relief childrens
Bi Electro Extra Strength
Flu, Cough and Sore Throat
Fridababy Children Allergy Relief Diphenhydramine HCl 12.5mg per 5mL vial , 15ct
Benadryl Allergy Sinus Headache
SleepEze minis
Nighttime Pain Reliever
Theraflu Severe Cold relief Nighttime
Premier Value night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Premier Value Nighttime Sleep-Aid Liquid Sleep-Aid
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Night Maximum Strength
Benadryl ReadyMist Itch Stopping
Geri Dryl
Dye-Free Childrens ALLERGY
Qdryl Allergy
Best Choice Itch Stopping
Endal CD
Childrens Triacting Nighttime Cold and Cough ReadyInCase
Allergy Relief Antihistamine
Sleep Eze D Extra Strength Caplet 50mg
Meijer Nighttime Sleep Aid Non Habit Forming
Sleep-eze
Allergy Attack Relief to Go
Daytime Nightime Severe Cold
Sudafed Sinus Nighttime
Good Sense Nighttime Sleep Aid
Anti-Itch
NightTime Cold and Flu
Smart Sense Itch Stopping
Ez Nite Sleep
Sinus PE Congestion Daytime Nighttime
Dye-Free Allergy
Healthy Accents Sleeptime
Family Wellness Sleep Aid
Naproxen Sodium Diphenhydramine HCl
Z-sleep
Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Severe Cold, Cough And Flu
Sleep Time
Sleep original formula
DG Health Ibuprofen PM
Smart Sense Childrens Nighttime Cold and Cough
Walgreens Anti Itch Cream
Sleep-Aid Diphenhydramine HCl
DayTime NightTime Cold/Flu
Complete Allergy
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 50mg USP
Allergy DyeFree
Severe Cold and Cough Night Time
Childrens Allergy Relief Dye-Free
Rite Aid night time severe cold and cough honey lemon with chamomile and white tea flavors
Smart Sense Allergy Relief
Picnic Antihistamine
Aldex CT
Dimetapp Cold and Cough and Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion
rx act Pain Relief PM
NightTime Sleep Aid Maximum Strength
Acetadryl
Severe Cold PE
Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu
Sleep Aid Liquid Fastgels
Facol Cold and Flu Night
Severe Cold PE Multi-Symptom
Advil PM
CVS Health Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Sleep Aid Maximum Strength
Childrens Benadryl Chewables
Select Brand Itch Relief
Benadryl-D Allergy and Sinus
dg health Ibuprofen pm
Allergy Circle K
Quenalin Cough
Walgreens Anti Itch
Jack & Jill Thin Strips Cough & Cold
Sleep Aid NightTime
Extra Strength Wal-dryl Itch Relief
Only For ALLERGY
Severe Congestion and Cough/ Cold and Flu Daytime/nighttime
Banophen
Equaline Allergy
Lotion Calamine Avec Antihistaminique
Sun Mark allergy relief
Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime
Children's Benadryl Allergy Strips
Up and Up Nighttime Sleep Aid
Legatrin PM
Severe Allergy And Sinus Headache
Wal-Phed PE, Multi-Symptom
CVS Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Diphenhydramine HCl Inj USP 50mg/ml
Sinus Relief
Allernix Cap 50mg U
ShopRite Sleep Aid
Sleepwell
Airacof
Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Cooling
Severe Cold, Cold and Flu Maximum Strength, Daytime, Nightime
Nighttime Allergy Relief Extra Strength
Nighttime Pain Reliever plus Sleep Aid
Children's Allergy Relief Liquid
Severe Congestion and Cough/Cold and Flu Daytime/Nighttime/Maximum Strength
Ibuprofen 200 mg and Diphenhydramine Citrate 38 mg
Jack & Jill Bedtime
Sleep Tabs
Novex Diphenhydramine
Live Better Anti-Itch
Benaldryl
Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Clear and Cool
Kids Allergy
Benadryl Capsules 50mg
SleepTime
Calamine Lotion With Antihistamine
Extra Strength Simply Sleep Liqui-gels
Health Mart severe cold cough and flu
Nadryl 25mg
Daytime Nighttime Multi Symptom Cold Childrens
Allerdryl Cap 25mg
Anti-Itch Maximum Strength
Topcare Allergy
Diphenhydramine HCl Injection, USP
Dermagesic
All Night Pain Relief PM
Acetaminophen PM Extra Strength
Night Time Cold and Flu
Niteclear Cold and Flu Relief
X3 On-the-GO First Aid Topical Analgesic Itch Relief Spray
PMS-diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Inj 50mg/ml
Vicks DayQuil NyQuil HOT REMEDY RAPID RELIEF MULTI-SYMPTOM Cold and Flu plus Congestion
Mucinex Sinus-Max Day Time Severe Congestion Relief and Mucinex Sinus-Max Night Time Congestion and Cough Maximum Strength
Smart Sense Childrens allergy relief
CAREALL Non-Aspirin PM Extra Strength
Allergy Plus Severe Sinus Headache
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
Complete Allergy Antihistamine
Topcare Cold and Flu Night Time
Welly Calm Balm
Multi Symptom Cold and Multi Symptom Nighttime Cold Childrens
Allergy Formula Elixir
Equate Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Sinutab PE Sinus and Allergy
Mucus Relief All In One Daytime Nighttime Cold Flu Maximum Strength
Basic Dental Emergency Kit
NightTime Cold and Cough Children
Basic Care severe cold and cough
Kroger Allergy Relief
Leader Sleep Aid
Dye Free Childrens Allergy Relief
Circle K Nighttime Sleep Aid
Daytime Nighttime Cold and Flu
Kinkan Cool
Restfully Sleep
Allergy Rapid Melts Childrens
Night Cough Liquid Fastgels
Zzz Time
Nighttime Sleep-Aid Maximum Strength
Dermamine Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Handy Solutions Allergy Relief
Nighttime Sleep Aid Liquid
Good Sense pain relief pm extra strength
Welby Allergy Relief
Sleep Easy
Acetaminophen Diphenhydramine HCl
Wal-Phed PE Pressure plus Pain plus Cold Daytime, Nighttime, Multi-Symptom
Children Allergy Dye-Free Wal Dryl 20 single doses x 5mL ea
Diphenhydramine Hci
Wal-dryl Itch Relief
Wal Som Nighttime Sleep Aid Nighttime
Extra Strength Benadryl Allergy Nighttime
Cough, Cold & Flu
Signature Care Ibuprofen PM
After Sting
PediaCare Childrens Nighttime Multi Symptom Cold
Sinus Pressure and Pain Daytime Nighttime Maximum Strength
Mucus Relief All in One Maximum Strength
Allergy Complete Relief
Medique at Home Diphen
Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Severe Congestion and Cough - Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Di-phen
After Bite Outdoor
Ambenyl Cough Syrup
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Zinc Acetate
Nighttime Sleep
Wal-Phed PE
Dye Free Sleep Aid
Family Wellness flu and severe cold and cough nighttime
Equaline Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
healthy mama eaZZZe THE PAIN
Triaminic Thin Strips Cough & Runny Nose
Advil Cold & Flu
Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Extra Strength No-pain PM
Allergy Relief Childrens
Well at Walgreens Multi-Symptom Wal-Flu Severe Cold and Nighttime Wal-Flu Severe Cold and Cough Kit
Theraflu ExpressMax Daytime Nighttime Value Pack
Xpect Extra Strength Itch Relief
Pain Relief PM Nightime Sleep Aid
Regular Strength Dormex Capsules
Sleep-eze Extra Strength Minis
Healthy Accents Severe Cold
Ibuprofen, Diphenhydramine HCl
Itch Stopping
Best Choice Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Honey Lemon infused with Chamomile and White Tea Flavors
Benadryl Allergy Liquigels
Equate All Night Pain Relief
Naproxen Sodium and Diphenhydramine HCL
Sleepaid Extra Strength Capsules
Leader ibuprofen pm
Added Strength PM
Severe Allergy And Sinus Headache Maximum Strength
PhysiciansCare Allergy Antihistamine
Wal-Dryl Maximum Strength
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg
Diphenhydramine Oral Liquid
Wal-Sleep Z Pain Relief
CVS Health Childrens Allergy Relief
Acetaminophen Extra Strength PM
Total Cold & Flu Combo
Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
CareOne sinus relief day time sinus relief night time
Allergies Relief
Diphendydramine Hydrochloride
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 50 Mg Capsules USP Extra Strength Sleep Aid
Total Cold Night
DG Health Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
Equate Itch Relief Gel
Mucinex Childrens Day Time Multi-Symptom Cold and Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold Triple Pack
Medique Diphen
Extra Strength Neocitran Total Symptom Relief - Sugar Free
Dye-free Allergy Relief
North Antihistamine
Rite Aid Itch Relief
Benylin Cold and Sinus Night Caplets
Leader Childrens Allergy Relief
VICKS ZzzQuil NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID
Rx Act Pain Relief PM Extra Strengh Rapid Release
Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief
allergy relief Childrens
Nighttime Cold and Flu Relief Therapy
Nyt Time Sleep Caps
Sinus Relief Day Night
CAREALL Anti-Itch
Severe Cold, Cold and Flu Daytime, Nighttime, Maximum Strength
DM Syrup
Leader Pain Reliever PM
Winco Foods Childrens Allergy Relief Dye Free
Flu Relief Therapy
Percogesic Extra Strength
Good Sense Itch Relief
Careone night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Extra Strength Nytol Tab 50mg
VICKS ZzzQuil NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID Diphenhydramine HCl FREE OF
Mountain Series Weekender Medical
Children Allergy Relief Bubblegum flavor
TRIAMINIC Childrens Night Time Cold and Cough
Smart Sense Triacting
PAIN RELIEF PM Extra Strength
Multi-Symptom Cold and Cough Daytime Nighttime
Sleep-Aid, Lil Drug Store
Nighttime SLEEP AID
Meijer Childrens Allergy Relief Bubblegum flavor
Pain Relief PM extra strength
Sleep Aid Extra Strength
Sleep-Aid Chewables Nighttime
Up and Up Nighttime Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Equate Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
Extra Strength First Aid Anti-itch Rite Aid
Histaprin
Dicopanol
Nighttime Sleep Aid Maximum Strength
Childrens Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion
Dg Health Sleep Aid
Dye-Free Wal-Dryl
Bye Bye Bite Lot
Smart Sense Allergy
Berkley and Jensen Allergy Relief
Geri-Dryl allergy relief
Children's Benadryl-D Syrup
Mucus Relief Severe Cold Daytime Cold and Flu Nighttime
The Itch Eraser Gel
Nytol Extra Strength Sleep Aid Caplet 50mg
Advil PM, TRAVEL BASIX
Nighttime Total Cold and Flu
Benylin for Children Cough Night
Sinus Relief Daytime Nighttime
Dimetapp Cold and Cough and Nighttime Cold and Congestion
Acetaminophen PM Extra strength
Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
Walgreens Original Strength Anti Itch
Benadryl Allergy Rapid Release
Walgreens Sugar Free Nighttime Wal-Flu severe cold and cough Natural honey lemon flavor
Ag-diphenhydramine 50 mg
Equate Allergy Relief
ShopRite Non Aspirin
Pdp-diphenhydramine
Theraflu Nighttime Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Powder
DG Health Tussin
Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion
PediaCare Childrens Allergy and Cold
Health Mart Childrens Allergy Plus Congestion
ZZZQuil Nightime Sleep-Aid
Quality Choice Itch Relief
Diphenhist
Topcare Headache Relief PM
Childrens WAL-DRYL Single-Use Allergy
Multi Symptom Severe Cold
Severe Allergy Plus Sinus Headache
Sudafed PE Cold and Cough
Multi Symptom NightTime Cold
Allergy Plus Congestion Relief
Triaminic Thin Strips Nighttime Cold & Cough
Topcare Childrens Night Time Cold and Cough
Allergic Itch Relief
Daytime Cold and Flu Relief Softgels Non-drowsy
Aurophen PM Extra Strength
Ivarest
Topcare Clear Time
Sleep Aid Maximum Strength Nighttime
Mucinex Childrens Day Time Multi-Symptom Cold and Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
RIGHT REMEDIES Allergy Relief
Wal-Dryl Allergy Dye Free
Texaclear Night Time Cough Cold/flu
Vicks ZzzQuil Liquid and Liquicaps Combo
Robitussin Night Time Cough and Cold
Family Wellness Severe Cold and Cough
Sleep-Aid, Circle K
Up and Up Naproxen Sodium PM
Nighttime Liquigel Sleep-aid
Extra Strength Tylenol Pain and Head Cold Night
Good Sense Allergy
Regular Strength Flu Relief Nightime
Compresso Pap 80 Dpl
Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Ag-diphenhydramine 25 mg
Rapid Release Pain Relief PM
Leader SleepTime
Sunmark Allergy Relief Antihistamine
Healthy Accents Pain Relief PM
Doctor Manzanilla Cough Suppressant and Nasal Decongestant
Maximum Strength Nighttime Cold and Flu
Bite and Itch
Cold-EEZE Nighttime Cold and Flu
Dg Health Allergy Childrens
Rest Simply
Caring Mill Allergy
Regular Strength Sleep Aid
Good Sense Naproxen Sodium
Nighttime Sleep-Aid Non-Habit Forming
SohMed Pain Relief PM
Simply Sleep
Leader Anti Itch
Dg Health Naproxen Sodium PM
Sinutab N.T. Regular Strength Caplets
Family Wellness Ibuprofen PM
Balminil Codeine Night Time + Expectorant
Wal-Sleep Z
Good Neighbor Allergy Relief
Dye-Free Adult ALLERGY
Daytime Nighttime Severe Cold and Flu Relief
Adventure Medical Kits 1-4 Person First Aid
Wal-Dryl
Complete One Cold and Flu PE Night
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