Benadryl Drug Card

Dose

25-50 mg

Class

Antihistamine-Blocks histamine. Histamine's main function is to dialate blood vessels to drop blood pressure and increases blood vessel permiability so white blood cells can reach the site of percived infection.

Trade Name

Benadryl

Action

Blocks H1 histamine receptors in the respiratory tract, blood vessels, and GI smooth muscles. This reduces the symptoms of allergic reaction-chest tightness, low blood pressure, runny nose, facial and airway swelling, etc. It can also reduce motion sickness and decrease extrapyramidal reactions-drug side effects that cause disturbances of the motor nerves.

Generic Name

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride

Adverse Effects

Drowsiness, sedation, seizures, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, wheezing, thickening of bronchial secretions, palpitations, hypotension, dysthymias, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, confusion, and paradoxical CNS excitation in children.

Rout

IV, IM, PO (by mouth)

Contraindications

Newborns, premature infants, use cautions with children and older adults, and those with asthma, narrow-angle glaucoma, or patients taking MAOIs. If taken regularly over a long period of time by women who are breastfeeding, can cause changes in breast milk that can be harmful to the infant.

Special Considerations

No risk to fetal development. Increases the effectiveness of Epinephrine.

Indications

Symptomatic allergies, allergic reaction, and anaphylaxis, motion sickness, acute motor reactions to other medications.