Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is effective in
relieving the side effects of parkinsonism, akinesia, and
dystonia, which are often caused by antipsychotic medications.
Benadryl is sometimes prescribed as a sleep-inducing medication.
While Benadryl is used to reduce side effects, like
any medication, it may cause some side effects as well. Most of
side effects will become less troublesome as your body adjusts to
the medication. If you do experience any side effects, contact your
doctor or clinician right away and continue taking your medication.
It is also important to be aware of the risks of Benadryl. The risks
occur very rarely,
but it is important to know what to look for, just in case.
If you think you are experiencing one of the risks,
contact your doctor or clinician or go to the emergency room right
away!
Most common side-effects: constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness,
nausea
Rare side-effects: blurry vision, dry mouth, urinary retention
Risks:
hallucinations, seizures
Most common side-effects
Constipation
Benadryl can sometimes cause constipation.
This side effect usually does not go away, but you can learn
how to control it by increasing the amount of high fiber foods
in your diet, such as breads, fruits, vegetables, and bran.
It also helps to exercise regularly and drink plenty of fluids.
If constipation is still a problem, your doctor may recommend
a laxative or fiber product, or may prescribe an additional
medication to reduce the side-effect.
Diarrhea
If you experience diarrhea, drink plenty of
fluids to avoid dehydration. Your doctor can tell you which
anti-diarrhea products are safe to take with your medication.
Dizziness
If you feel dizzy when you sit or stand up
quickly, there are some precautions that you can take to avoid
injury. Get up very slowly from a laying or sitting position
and make sure you have something to hold onto as you get up.
Then, wait a moment or two before you start walking.
Drowsiness
When you first begin taking Benadryl, you may
feel drowsy, even if you've had a good night's sleep. You
might move around more slowly, be less coordinated, and nod
off more. Be sure not to drive a car or operate other heavy
machinery while you are feeling drowsy. Talk to your doctor
if this side effect disrupts your daily routine.
Nausea
Most people who experience this side-effect
notice that it usually disappears in a few weeks. To reduce
or eliminate nausea, eat several small meals per day instead
of three big ones, or try snacking on dry toast or crackers.
Rare side-effects
Blurry vision
Blurred vision is another side-effect of Benadryl.
If you think that you are experiencing blurred vision, don't
drive until you talk to your doctor or clinician about it.
Dry mouth
Some people taking Benadryl experience dry
mouth. Although dry mouth may not go away completely, it usually
gets better with time. Dry mouth may be relieved by sucking
on hard candy or crushed ice, drinking plenty of fluids, or
eating frozen grapes.
Urinary retention
If you are unable to urinate but your bladder
feels full, you may be experiencing urinary retention. If
you think that you are experiencing urinary retention, contact
your doctor immediately.
Risks
Hallucinations
Hallucinations occur when a person senses things
that aren't really there. The most commonly experienced hallucination
is hearing voices. People also have hallucinations where they
see, feel, smell or taste something that is not there. If
you think that you are having hallucinations as a result of
your medication, contact your doctor right away!
Seizures
A seizure is the result of abnormal electrical
activity in the brain. A patient suffering from a seizure
may experience involuntary body movements and/or a loss of
consciousness. You will probably not be aware if you are having
a seizure; someone will tell you when you regain consciousness.
If you have had a seizure, have someone take you to the emergency
room immediately.
Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing side-effects that you’re concerned about.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by 4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that effect.
4therapy.com’s medication information is a reference resource designed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information 4therapy.com provides.
