Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about the different BENADRYL® products and their uses? Here, we’ve compiled a list of common questions and answers, along with the allergies that our products can help treat. Answers when you need them most. Just another form of relief from the BENADRYL® brand.
About BENADRYL®
BENADRYL® is an antihistamine that works to relieve your allergies when you need it the most. Our products contain diphenhydramine HCl, which helps treat allergy symptoms at the source.
Yes. The active ingredient in BENADRYL® is diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine.
Yes. The diphenhydramine in BENADRYL® Allergy can cause drowsiness.
Oral BENADRYL® Allergy temporarily relieves indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat.
Topical BENADRYL® Itch Stopping Cream temporarily relieves pain and itching associated with insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, minor skin irritations, minor cuts, scrapes, and rashes due to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
Oral BENADRYL® Allergy products are meant to be ingested (swallowed). They come in tablet and liquid gel forms and temporarily relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory allergies. Topical BENADRYL® itch relief products are only to be applied directly to the skin. They come in cream, gel, and spray forms, and temporarily relieve itching and pain on the skin. It is important to read labels carefully and follow the instructions for use.
Do NOT swallow a Topical BENADRYL® product. Do NOT use two products containing diphenhydramine at the same time.
No. Do NOT use multiple products that contain diphenhydramine at the same time, even if one is topical and the other is oral. For information on appropriate dosage and warnings, please review the BENADRYL® product label, available on the packaging or on our website.
It is never safe to take multiple antihistamine medications such as Zyrtec and BENADRYL® or Claritin and BENADRYL® together. Combining BENADRYL® with other antihistamine medications can lead to serious complications or, in rare cases, an antihistamine overdose. If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing an antihistamine overdose, immediately call 911 or the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
No. BENADRYL® Itch Stopping Cream products are not intended to be used on dogs, cats, or any other pets. Please consult your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health needs.
No. If your BENADRYL® has expired, please discard it properly and get a new package. Visit the FDA website for more information.
Always follow the instructions that come with any BENADRYL® product. Follow this helpful BENADRYL® Dosage Chart to learn more about proper dosing. Use only as directed.
If you believe that you or someone you know has taken BENADRYL® or other diphenhydramine products in a manner not directed by the label, please contact your local poison control center.
You can take it every 4 to 6 hours, or as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than 6 doses in 24 hours. Follow this helpful BENADRYL® Dosage Chart to learn more about proper dosing.
If pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use.
Our BENADRYL® (diphenhydramine) products are made with effective ingredients that are safe when used as directed. Human embryonic cells (fetal cells) are not involved in the production of these products.
Children’s BENADRYL®
Children’s BENADRYL® is an antihistamine that helps relieve allergy symptoms and makes children feel better when they need it most.
Children’s BENADRYL® temporarily relieves indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat. To learn more about allergies in children, read our guide on children’s allergies here.
Always follow the instructions that come with Children’s BENADRYL®. When taking Children’s BENADRYL® Allergy Liquid, be sure to only use the dosing cup that comes in the package. Other items like kitchen teaspoons, droppers, or measuring devices that come with other medicines may not be accurate. Follow this helpful BENADRYL® Dosage Chart to learn more about proper dosing. If you have any questions about treating your child’s allergies, please speak with your doctor.
BENADRYL® Allergy Plus Congestion
BENADRYL® Allergy Plus Congestion contains phenylephrine, which relieves nasal congestion. With this, it relieves all the same symptoms as BENADRYL®, plus it provides fast congestion relief. For more information on BENADRYL® Allergy, see: What symptoms does Oral BENADRYL® Allergy relieve? For more information on decongestants.
BENADRYL® Allergy Plus Congestion contains a nasal decongestant that works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose that expand during allergies or infection with the common cold. When these blood vessels narrow, the tissue shrinks and allows the normal flow of air and mucus. This results in the temporary relief of nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and sinus pressure. For more tips on how to combat congestion, read our guide on nasal congestion here.
Both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are decongestants that help relieve the symptoms of nasal and sinus congestion, as well as sinus pressure. BENADRYL® Allergy Plus Congestion contains phenylephrine, which helps alleviate these symptoms as well as other allergy symptoms for 4 hours. There are no BENADRYL® products that contain pseudoephedrine.
No. Phenylephrine is available to the public over the counter.
Safe Use of BENADRYL®
BENADRYL® (diphenhydramine HCI) is a safe and effective medicine when used as directed by the label. Always follow the instructions that come with any BENADRYL® product, which can be found on the packaging. For more information on dosing, follow this helpful BENADRYL® Dosage Chart.
If you believe that you or someone you know has taken BENADRYL® or other diphenhydramine products in a manner not directed by the label, please contact your local poison control center.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of signs of medication abuse, such as:
Empty medicine boxes or packaging in the trash of your child’s room or their backpack
Purchase or use of large amounts of medicine when not ill or exhibiting symptoms
Purchase of medicine online or in-store
Missing packages of medicine from home medicine cabinets
Changes in friends, physical appearance, or sleeping or eating patterns
Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities
If you believe that you or someone you know has taken BENADRYL® or other diphenhydramine products in a manner not directed by the label, please contact your local poison control center.
To learn more about the potential signs of medication abuse, visit stopmedicineabuse.org.
Since the inception of this “challenge” we’ve taken action to stop this behavior. The content adolescents are exposed to on social media has a very real impact on their lives and urgency needs to be taken to remove all dangerous content. We have held discussions with TikTok safety & policy teams, as well as other social media platforms, about the need to take immediate action as it relates to content on medicine misuse and abuse, but we continue to be deeply concerned with the dangerous content available to youth on social media. We have also partnered with organizations such as the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and Partnership to End Addiction via the Consumer Healthcare Product Association (CHPA) to help educate parents and caregivers on the dangers of participation in challenges and help them understand how they can help identify and address this concerning adolescent behavior.
To learn more about steps taken to address misuse and abuse of BENADRYL® and other diphenhydramine-containing products, visit our SAFETY page.
Please email us for comments, questions, or to report an adverse event or a side effect from one of our products. Our email response time is typically between 48-72 hours.
For a more immediate response, we are also available via phone:
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm ET