Diphenhydramine Benadryl Overdose Symptoms & Side Effects

Benadryl Overdose, Signs, Side Effects, Symptoms, Abuse & Treatment

Symptoms of an overdose of Benadryl like sleepiness, agitation, confusion, blurred vision, constipation, inability to sweat and pass urine, dry eyes and mouth, coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest. Assuming someone is not seizing or in cardiac arrest, there are two common presentations. Some individuals are in a coma, and waking up is hard or impossible. The other type of individual is delirious, they might exhibit unusual behavior such as picking at sheets on the hospital bed. They are more likely to mumble incoherently, be agitated, and impaired vision.

EMS Treatment for Benadryl Overdose

Hospital emergency room Benadryl overdose treatments, also known as Benadryl overdose treatment EMS, generally include:

• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medications to treat symptoms or reverse the Benadryl overdose effects.
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

Recovery from Diphenhydramine overdose is probable if the patient prevails during the first 24 hours. Difficulties from pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a long period of time, or brain damage from deficient oxygen can result in permanent injuries.

Few people actually die from an antihistamine overdose. However, serious heart rhythm disturbances may occur, which can cause death. Keep Benadryl and all medicines in child-proof packaging out of reach of young children.

Benadryl Half Life

The half-life of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is typically between 4 and 8 hours in adults. That means it takes approximately 4-8 hours for the body to eliminate half of the drug. The half-life of Benadryl can vary depending on characteristics such as age, liver function, and other medicines used. It’s important to note that Benadryl’s half-life is not the same as its time span of action.

Can You Overdose On Benadryl?

It is possible to overdose on Benadryl. Symptoms of an overdose include confusion, rapid heart rate, drowsiness, vomiting, and sometimes seizures. It is essential to follow the instructions on the label carefully and to not take more than the recommended dose. If you think you have taken too much of the medication or experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately.

Benadryl side effects like drowsiness can prolong Benadryl’s half-life duration and action. It is important to take Benadryl only as directed by a healthcare provider. Taking too much Benadryl can lead to serious side effects including Benadryl overdose.

FDA Warns About The Benadryl Challenge

A person has reportedly died after taking an excessive amount of Benadryl anti-allergy medication as part of a challenge on the social media app TikTok. The challenge involves TikTok users daring each other to consume large amounts of the medicine, normally taken to ease allergy symptoms from conditions like hayfever. This is not a drug people should be experimenting with. So what does a Benadryl overdose look like? What is important for people aware of this Tiktok challenge to know about the medication?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [1] warns that consumption of higher than recommended doses of the popular over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drug diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl abuse) can lead to seizures, serious heart problems, coma, or even death. FDA is aware of news reports of a person ending up in emergency rooms or dying after playing in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media app TikTok [2].

FDA Benadryl Overdose Warnings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that taking too much of the over-the-counter medication Benadryl can be dangerous. People should not take more than the recommended amount or take it more often than directed. Symptoms of a Benadryl overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, a fast heartbeat, dry mouth, fever, skin problems, and hallucinations.

Taking an overdose of Benadryl can lead to serious medical complications, including difficulty breathing and confusion. In some cases, it can also lead to coma and even death. If you or someone you know is taking more than the recommended dose of Benadryl, immediate medical help should be sought. Symptoms of an overdose should not be ignored, as they can lead to more serious health issues.

If you think someone has taken too much Benadryl, do not wait for symptoms to appear; seek medical attention right away. Depending on the amount taken and the individual’s health and age, an overdose can lead to serious complications and requires prompt medical attention.

What Is Benadryl?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a brand-name, over-the-counter (OTC) medication classified as an antihistamine. It’s used to help relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies such as hay fever, other allergies, and the common cold, as well as itchy skin due to insect bites, hives, and other causes.  

Diphenhydramine or Benadryl is also most often used for treating vomiting, nausea, allergic rhinitis, mild to severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, and as a mild sleep aid. However, due to easy access to this over-the-counter medication, it is often abused. It can lead to acute intoxication, and if taken in large doses, it can lead to Benadryl overdose.

Benadryl is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter antihistamines. It is also used to treat motion sickness, insect bites, and hives. Benadryl comes in many different forms including tablets, capsules, liquids, and topical creams and sprays.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [3], over the past 20 years or so, the drug misuse scenario has seen the emergence of both prescription drugs abuse and over-the-counter (OTC) medications being reported as ingested for recreational purposes. OTC drugs such as antihistamines, cold and cough medications, and decongestants are reportedly the most popular in being diverted and misused.

Benadryl Dose

For most cases, the recommended dose of Benadryl is 25 to 50 mg every four to six hours, not to exceed 300 mg per day. For severe allergies, your doctor might suggest using 50 to 100 mg every four to six hours, not to exceed 400 mg per day. For children, the recommended dose is based on the child’s weight and age.

Taking too much Benadryl can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Generally, the recommended amount of Benadryl for adults is 1-2 tablets every four to six hours as needed for relief. Generally, no more than six tablets should be taken in a 24-hour period. Taking more than this recommended dose can cause serious health issues, including seizures, slowed heart rate, and respiratory failure. If you think you have taken too much Benadryl, seek medical help immediately.

It’s important to always follow the dosing instructions of your doctor or pharmacist when taking Benadryl. Make sure to read the label to determine the correct Benadryl dose and to make sure it is safe for you to take. Before taking any new medications, including Benadryl, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure the medication is safe for you to use.

Popular Benadryl Antihistamine Drug Names

There are several brand names of Benadryl available including Aller-Chlor, BenaGest, Benadryl Allergy Relief, BenaGest-DS, Bennete 10, Ceradan, Claritin Allergy, Clisyn, Diphenyl, Diphenyl 2, Diphenyl JR, Diprospan, and others.

Other brand names of Benadryl include Dramamine, Duradryl, Lorabid, Polaramine, and Tavist-D. Benadryl also comes in generic forms such as those containing the active ingredient diphenhydramine or the non-drowsy, long-acting formula of cetirizine hydrochloride.

Additional common over-the-counter (OTC) brands that include the antihistamine diphenhydramine include:

Learn More:

• Diphenhydramine
• Prescription Drug Addiction
• Cough Medicine Abuse
• Benadryl and Alcohol
• Drug Overdose Symptoms
• Overdose Deaths
• Drug Abuse Treatment

71.1%

First-generation H1 antihistamines, primarily diphenhydramine were present in almost all deaths that tested positive for and involved histamines by 71.1%.

Source: CDC

3%

According to a 2017 study, nearly 3% of drug overdose fatalities in the United States involved diphenhydramine, the primary component of Benadryl.

Source: CDC

A Benadryl overdose can lead to inevitable severe consequences to your health. Also, a Benadryl overdose can lead to acute toxicity. Benadryl overdose symptoms are similar to acute Benadryl overdose psychosis and often lead to hospitalization. Individuals should immediately seek immediate medical help in case of an overdose from this OTC medicine [5].

• Toxicity
• Suicide Intents
• Accidental Overdose
• Mixing Medications
• Addiction and Misuse

Benadryl Abuse

Benadryl can be abused if people use it incorrectly. Individuals may misuse Benadryl for delirium since it is so readily available. This is a dangerous practice. The symptoms can be severe and are even worse if the drug is combined with other substances like alcohol. A person can develop Benadryl tolerance and addiction. Many people who abuse medications containing these ingredients experience side effects like hallucinations and sleepiness.

It is also possible to experience a Benadryl overdose, causing dangerous toxicity to the body. Over the past years, there have been alarming incidents of Benadryl-related suicide attempts reported to the Missouri Poison Center. When this medication is used excessively or for long periods, users may experience serious mental complications and dementia-type symptoms.

Suppose you or your loved one is worried that the Benadryl dependency or abuse may lead to a life-threatening overdose Benadryl. In that case, indeed, help is just a phone call away. Professional prescription drug addiction treatment is necessary for fast and effective recovery. Contact us at We Level Up NJ Treatment Facility to learn more. We provide the utmost care with doctors and medical staff available 24/7 for life-changing and lasting recovery. We provide an enhanced opportunity to return to a fulfilling and productive life.