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
Diphenhydraminum
O-benzhydryldimethylaminoethanol
Diphenhydramine salicylate
β-dimethylaminoethanol diphenylmethyl ether
β-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether
Diphenhydramine methylbromide
2-(benzhydryloxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine
N-(2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylamine
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
2-diphenylmethoxy-N,N-demthylethanamine
Diphenhydramine citrate
Difenhidramina
Diphenhydramine
α-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)diphenylmethane
Brand Names
Naproxen Sodium PM
Rite Aid Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Relief
Childrens Benadryl Chewables
Somnapure Clinical Strength
TUSSIN CF NIGHTTIME COUGH and COLD
SEVERE COLD DAY COLD and FLU NIGHT
EZ Nite Sleep Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Itch Rel Spr Cvs
Instant Itch Relief CVS
Benylin Cough and Cold Night Strips
Nighttime Cold and Cough Childrens
Smart Sense Topical Analgesic Skin Protectant
Benylin Cold and Sinus Night Caplets
Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Daytime and Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime
Flu Relief Therapy
Allergy Formula Liquid Capsules
Somnitabs
Health Mart Nighttime Sleep Aid
Pain Reliever PM extra strength
Jack & Jill Bedtime Cough & Cold
TopCare Allergy Relief
Allegra Intensive Relief Anti-Itch
PediaCare Childrens Nighttime Multi Symptom Cold
Naproxen Sodium and Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Sinus PE Congestion Daytime Nighttime
CAREALL Diphenhydramine
DM Cough Syrup
Allergy Capsules Extra Strength
Allergy Formula Junior Strength
Mucus Relief All in One Maximum Strength
Night Cough Liquid Fastgels
Equate Anti Itch
Allergies MY CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH
Topcare Sleep Aid
Sleepeze
Benylin Extra Strength All-IN-one Cold, Flu & Cough Night
Severe Cold Relief PE
Excedrin PM Triple Action Caplets and Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Reliever
Sleep-Aid Diphenhydramine HCl
Bye Bye Bite Lot
Childrens Allergy Relief Dye Free
Allergy Lil Drug Store Products
Benylin for Children Cough Night
Dye-free Adult Allergy Liquid Medication
Sinutab N.T. Regular Strength Caplets
Smart Sense Ibuprofen PM
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 Mg Tablet
Children's Liquid Allergy Formula
Dg Health Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Itch Relief Spray
Extra Strength Nighttime Allergy Liquid Gel Capsules
Rexall Sleep Aid
Circle K Nighttime Sleep Aid
Caring Mill Childrens Allergy
Childrens Dye Free Allergy
Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu Clear and Cool
Nightime Sleep Aid
Allergies Relief
Drx Choice childrens allergy chews
Multi Symptom Severe Cold PE
SINUS RELIEF Maximum Strength Daytime and Nighttime Sinus Pain
Topcare Anti Itch
Anti-itch Plus Cream
Extra Strength Tylenol Allergy Sinus Nighttime Caplet
Up and Up Ibuprofen PM
Theraflu Warming Relief Flu and Sore Throat
Diphenhydramine HCl 25 mg
Children Allergy Relief Bubblegum flavor
Berkley and Jensen Allergy
Leader Cold and Flu
Extra Strength Itch Relief
Rexall Childrens Allergy
VICKS ZzzQuil NIGHTTIME SLEEP-AID Diphenhydramine HCl FREE OF
Up and Up Nighttime Sleep Aid
Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold and Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Childrens Allergy
Simply Sleep
Lil Drug Store Allergy Antihistamine
Leader Restfully Sleep
Children's Benadryl Allergy Chewables
Wal Dryl Allergy Childrens
North Antihistamine
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Cleartime
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Childrens Allergy Dye-Free Wal Dryl
Children's Allergy and Sinus Medication Liquid Suspension
Rx Act Pain Relief PM Extra Strengh Rapid Release
Sleep-eze Extra Strength Gelcaps
Severe Cold
Anti-Itch Extra Strength
Basic Care Allergy Relief
Up and Up Allergy Relief
CareOne sinus relief day time sinus relief night time
X3 On-the-GO First Aid Topical Analgesic Itch Relief Spray
PM Get Relief
Diphenist
Sunmark Anti-itch
Aller-aide Elixir
Flu Relief Therapy Nighttime Severe Cold
Welby Allergy Relief
Allergic Itch Relief
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Sleep Time
Equaline Night Time Sleep Aid
Preferred Plus Complete Allergy Medicine
Children's Tylenol Allergy - D Chewable Tablets
Vicks Nyquil Hot Remedy
Children's Allergy Relief Liquid
Doctor Manzanilla Allergy and Decongestant Relief
Flu, Cough & Cold Complete Day and Night
Dye-Free Wal-Dryl
AuroFlu Flu and Sore Throat Warming Relief
Diabetic Tussin Nighttime Cold and Flu
Maximum Strength First Aid Anti-Itch Rite Aid
Flu Relief
healthy mama eaZZZe THE PAIN
Zzz Sleep
Signature Care Naproxen Sodium PM
Benaldryl
Live Better Anti-Itch
Mucinex Childrens Night Time Multi-Symptom Cold
Extra Strength Night Time Pain Relief
Wal Flu Severe Cold and Cough Daytime Nighttime
Antihistimine Allergy
Children's Allergy Formula Rapid Melts
Wal Som Nighttime Sleep Aid Nighttime
Allergy Plus Cold
Allergy Sinus Headache Caplets
CVS dye-free childrens allergy
Excedrin PM
Dye Free Wal Sleep Z
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Ibuprofen PM
Aurophen PM Extra Strength
Premier Value night time severe cold and cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
DayTime Mucus Relief Severe Cold and Nighttime Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Equaline Naproxen Sodium PM
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Pain Relief PM
Night Time Cold and Cough Childrens
TheraCare Extra Strength Anti-Itch Cream Itch Stopping
Extra Strength No-pain PM
Theraflu ExpressMax Flu, Cough, and Sore Throat
Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine HCl
Good Neighbor Pharmacy allergy
Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine HCL
Itch Relief
Nighttime Pain Plus Sleep
Naproxen Sodium Diphenhydramine HCL
After Bite Outdoor
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Medique Diphen
Cough, Cold and Flu Relief Complete Night Super Strength
Sominex Tablets 25mg
Smart Sense Nighttime Sleep Aid
Smart Sense Sinus Relief
Legatrin PM
Childrens PediaClear Cough
Topcare childrens allergy
Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Day Time Cold and Flu and Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max Night Time Cold and Flu
Topcare Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Equaline Pain Relief PM Extra Strength
Airacof
Harris Teeter Allergy Relief
DrKids Childrens Muti Symptom Cold Flu and Sore Throat Nighttime
Calamine Lotion With Antihistamine
Naproxen Sodium and Diphenhydramine HCL
Aurodryl childrens Allergy
Tecnu Calagel
Benadryl PE Total Regular Strength
Wal Flu Severe Cold and Cough
Help I cant Sleep
Preferred Plus Sinus Relief Day Tiime Night Time
End-A-flu Multi-symptom Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime Formula
Smart Sense Flu and Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
EZ Nite Sleep Aid
Pain Reliever Extra Strength PM
Ez Nite Sleep
DAYTIME SEVERE COLD and COUGH NIGHTTIME SEVERE COLD and COUGH
Robitussin Night Time Cough and Chest Congestion
CVS Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Extra Strength Tylenol Complete Cold, Cough & Flu Nighttime
CareOne Day Time Severe Cold Night Time Cold and Flu
Robitussin Direct Runny Nose
Daytime Cold and Cough and NightTime Cold and Congestion Childrens
Acetaminophen Diphenhydramine HCL
Good Sense Allergy Relief
Benadryl Allergy Sinus Headache
Total Cold Hot Lemon Relief
Preferred Plus Severe Cold Cough and Flu
Tylenol PM
Pain Relief PM Extra Relief
Silphen
Allergy Relief
Sinus Relief Daytime Nighttime
Sleep Tabs For Nighttime use
Topcare ZZZ Sleep
Diphenhydramine
Topcare pain relief PM extra strength non habit forming
Assured Allergy Relief
Equate Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
SleepTime
Added Strength PM
Aller-Ben
Dye-Free Allergy Relief
Allergy Formula Liquid
KMart - Pain Relief PM
Headache PM Formula
Aleve PM
Nighttime Super Strength Contac Complete
Up and Up Childrens allergy medication
Diphenhydramine HCl
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Mucus Relief Severe Cold Cold and Flu Night Time
Children's Benadryl-D Allergy & Sinus
Sudafed PE Day Plus Night Sinus Congestion
Anti Itch Spray
Topcare Headache PM Formula
Foster and Thrive Childrens Allergy Relief
Diphenhydramine HCl Injection, USP
Rotosxika Sleep Aid Patch
Sleep Aid maximum strength
Sleep-eze Extra Strength Minis
Careone Sinus Relief Day Time Night Time
Formule Allergie Liquide
AuroFlu Night Time Severe Cold and Cough
Leader SleepTime
Benadryl PE Total Extra Strength
Wal-Sleep Z Pain Relief
Aurodryl Childrens Allergy
Nighttime Total Cold and Flu
Vicks childrens Cough Congestion Night
Childrens Complete Allergy
Sleepinal
Time-gesic
ZzzQuil
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Cold and Flu Night Time
Theraflu Sugar Free Nightime Severe Cold and Cough
Sleep-aid
Dye Free Childrens Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Nighttime Allergy Relief Extra Strength
Discount Drugmart Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Contac-C Ext.stren.night Time Cough,cold&flu
Health Mart Childrens Allergy Relief
Night Time Severe Cold and Cough
Pain Relief Acetaminophen PM
Rite Aid Maximum Strength Itch Relief
Equate Itch Relief Gel
Nighttime Liquigel Sleep-aid
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 50mg USP
Topcare Ibuprofen PM
Extra Strength Allergy Formula Nighttime
Sinus Pressure and Pain Daytime Nighttime Maximum Strength
ZzzQuil Soothing Berry
Allergy Relief Plus Sinus Headache
DG Health Sleep Aid
Weeks and Leo Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Severe Cold Cough and Flu Relief Nighttime
Cough and Allergy Syrup With Codeine
Sleep
Extra Strength Simply Sleep Liqui-gels
Sleep-Aid
Wal-Dryl PE ALLERGY PLUS CONGESTION
Walgreens Anti Itch
Mucus Relief Severe Cold Daytime Cold and Flu Nighttime
Nighttime Pain Reliever plus Sleep Aid
NOTTS - Pain Relief PM
Complete Allergy Antihistamine
Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Childrens Delsym Cough Plus Cold Night Time
Di-phen
EZ Nite Sleep
Good Sense headache pm
Fulton Street Market Nighttime Flu and Severe Cold and Cough
Calmylin
Leader Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
Banophen
Wal-Dryl PE Allergy and Sinus
Sleep Aid NightTime
Allergy Plus Congestion
Discount Drug Mart Extra Strength Itch Stopping
Extra Strength Neocitran Flu Syrup
A Health Itch Relief Gel
Atopalm Itch Relief
Only For ALLERGY
Theraflu Expressmax Daytime Severe Cold and Cough and Theraflu Expressmax Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Vicks QlearQuil Nighttime Allergy Relief
Sedamo
Super Strength Complete Cold Powder
Only For BODY PAIN
Leader Ibuprofen PM
Dg Health Pain Relief PM
Extra Strength Tylenol PM
Daytime Mucus Relief Severe Congestion and Cough and Nighttime Cold and Flu Maximum Strength
Mucus Relief Nighttime Cold Flu Maximum StrengthCold Flu and Sore Throat
Topcare Childrens Triacting Nightime Cold and Cough
Wal Dryl
Dg Health Sleep Aid
PhysiciansCare Allergy Antihistamine
Niteclear Cold and Flu Relief
Histaprin
AcetaFlu NightTime Effervescent
Advil Cold & Flu
Extra Strength Tylenol Pain and Head Cold Night
Cold and Congestion Childrens Nighttime
Daytime Nighttime Cold and Flu
Complete One Cold and Flu Nightime Extra Strength Tablets
severe cold and sinus relief PE
Topcare Sleep Aid Nighttime
rx act Pain Relief PM
Welly Childrens Travel Medicine
Mucus Relief Sinus Day and Night
Severe Allergy
Benadryl Spray
Allergy Plus Congestion Relief
Multi Symptom Sinus Relief Pain and Congestion Daytime Nighttime
Ibuprofen and Diphenhydramine HCl
Extra strength first aid anti-itch Rite Aid pharmacy
Allergy Tablets Extra Strength
Equaline Pain Relief PM
Cold and Flu Severe Night
Care One Ibuprofen PM
Benadryl Allergy EXTRA STRENGTH
Leader Severe Cold and Cough
Smart Sense Childrens allergy relief
Sinus Relief
Harris Teeter Acetaminophen PM
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Injection, USP
Preferred Plus Severe Cold Day Time Cold and Flu Night Time
Careone Pain Relief PM
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Caplets 50 mg
Severe Congestion and Cough, Cold and Flu Daytime and Nighttime
Allerdryl Cap 25mg
Harris Teeter Ibuprofen PM
The Itch Eraser Max Strength
Midol PM
Clear Allergy Formula for Children and Adults
Severe Cold, Cold and Flu Daytime, Nighttime, Maximum Strength
Pain Relief PM extra Strength
Non Aspirin PM Extra Strength
DG Health Maximum Strength Sleep Aid
SunMark Night Time Sleep Aid
Bactimicina Childrens Allergy
Alka-Seltzer Plus Allergy
WinCo Foods Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough honey lemon infused with chamomile and white tea flavors
Sleep-Aid Regular Strength
ZoDen PD
Kroger Allergy Relief
Sleep-eze Regular Strength Caplets
Pain Relief PM Rapid Release
Sleep Aid Liquid Fastgels
Kroger Nighttime Sleep-Aid
Mucinex Sinus-Max Night Time Congestion And Cough
Healthy Accents Sleeptime
Allergy Complete Relief
Dimetane Allergy Tablets
Sleep Eze D Caplet 25mg
Smart Sense Sleep Aid
Dalay Maximum Strength
Nighttime Sleep-Aid Softgel
Sleep Tabs
Dye Free Wal Dryl Allergy childrens
Aller-aide Plus Capsules 50mg
Benadryl-D Allergy and Sinus
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Sinus Relief Day Time Night Time
Acetaminophen / Diphenhydramine 500/25 mg
Leader Headache Relief PM
Quality Choice Severe Cold and Cough Nighttime
Mucus Relief All In One Daytime Nighttime Cold Flu Maximum Strength
Dormax
Severe Allergy Plus Sinus Headache
Careone Naproxen Sodium PM
Acetaminophen PM Extra Strength
Allergy and Cold
Complete One Cold and Flu PE Night
Allergy Rapid Melts Childrens
Childrens Night Time COUGH and COLD RELIEF
Severe Cold DM Severe Cold and Flu
Tecnu Ivy Complete Kit
ShopRite Pain Relief PM
Sleeptime Dry Cough
IC Ivy Relief
Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough
Dye-free Allergy Relief
Cough, Cold & Flu
Sound Body Sleep Aid
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