diphenhydramine-acetaminophen oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

Warnings:

One ingredient in this product is acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day. People with liver problems and children should take less acetaminophen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much acetaminophen is safe to take.

Do not use with any other drug containing acetaminophen without asking your doctor or pharmacist first. Acetaminophen is in many nonprescription and prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products). Check the labels on all your medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Get medical help right away if you take too much acetaminophen (overdose), even if you feel well. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, and dark urine.

Daily alcohol use, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may damage your liver. Avoid alcohol.

How to use Diphenhydramine-Acetaminophen 50 Mg-650 Mg Tablet

See also Warning section.

If you are taking an over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication. If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food or as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, you may take this medication with food or milk.

If you are using the liquid form, carefully measure your prescribed dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

If you are taking extended-release capsules, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew extended-release capsules or tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the symptoms have worsened, the medication may not work as well.

Do not take this product for pain more than 10 days (adults) or 5 days (children) unless directed by a doctor. Do not take this product for fever more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor. If your condition lasts or gets worse, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as confusion), trouble urinating.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

See also Warning section.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to acetaminophen or antihistamines; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, ulcers), overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), urination problems (such as trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Liquid products may contain alcohol, sugar, and/or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of antihistamines. In young children, this drug may cause agitation and excitement instead of drowsiness.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug may pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug are: antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), ketoconazole, levoketoconazole.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or other antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Antihistamines are ingredients found in many nonprescription products and in some combination prescription medications. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may also contain an antihistamine or other ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain medical/lab tests (such as urine 5-HIAA, allergy skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Does Diphenhydramine-Acetaminophen 50 Mg-650 Mg Tablet interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, agitation, confusion, flushing, hallucinations, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, seizures. In children, excitement may occur first, and may be followed by: loss of coordination, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures.

Notes

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others.

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this product on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this product. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

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diphenhydramine-acetaminophen oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What drugs should not be taken with diphenhydramine? ›

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or ...

Can diphenhydramine and acetaminophen be taken together? ›

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine is a combination medicine used to treat occasional insomnia associated with minor aches and pains.

What is bad about diphenhydramine? ›

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion), difficulty urinating, fast/irregular heartbeat.

Why is diphenhydramine banned? ›

This is because as a first-generation antihistamine diphenhydramine crosses the blood-brain barrier, which causes sedation in patients. Moreover, the FDA has issued warnings that taking higher than recommended doses of the antihistamine Benadryl can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma or even death.

What organ does diphenhydramine affect? ›

Diphenhydramine undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism, whereby 50–60% of ingested medication is metabolized by the liver before reaching the systemic circulation. Nearly all the available drug is metabolized by the liver within 24–48 hours, thus increasing risk for liver injury.

Is diphenhydramine a high risk medication? ›

Do not take more than the dose listed on the label, as doing so can cause serious problems. If someone takes too much diphenhydramine and is hallucinating, can't be awakened, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or has collapsed, immediately get medical attention or contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 or online .

Is it bad to take diphenhydramine every night? ›

Many antihistamines can cause drowsiness, but it's not recommended to take them for sleep because little research backs up their effectiveness. Long-term use may also lead to harmful side effects.

When should I avoid diphenhydramine? ›

It's best to avoid diphenhydramine while you're taking sleep medications. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can recommend a safer combination.

What drugs should not be taken with antihistamines? ›

Examples of medicines that could cause problems if taken with antihistamines include some types of:
  • antidepressants.
  • stomach ulcer or indigestion medicines.
  • cough and cold remedies that also contain an antihistamine.

Is diphenhydramine bad for your heart? ›

This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a longer time. This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach.

Is diphenhydramine linked to dementia? ›

Drowsiness is a well-known side effect of the drug, so many people use it precisely because it puts them to sleep. His worry? The drug has apparently been associated with an increased risk of dementia. The longer you take it, the higher the risk of developing dementia later in life.

Why is Benadryl bad for the elderly? ›

Diphenhydramine can cause decreased reaction times and dizziness. In older people with other medical problems or physical impairments, this may lead to falls or accidents, especially while getting up to urinate at night. The potential for bone fractures is a notable concern.

What is a good substitute for diphenhydramine? ›

In summary, I would suggest an oral, 2nd or 3rd generations antihistamine (e.g. cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine).

What is the difference between Benadryl and diphenhydramine? ›

It works by blocking histamine in the body, which is a substance that causes allergic symptoms. When used as recommended, it is a safe and effective medicine. Diphenhydramine is marketed under the brand-name Benadryl, store brands, and generics.

Who can't take diphenhydramine? ›

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

While diphenhydramine can be used during pregnancy, it is not normally recommended. This is because of the side effects, which may be more significant during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist other medicines, such as chlorphenamine, that may more suitable.

Can you take diphenhydramine with blood pressure medication? ›

There's no known interaction between Benadryl and blood pressure medications. However, if you take blood pressure medication, you're encouraged to talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. It's possible for Benadryl to cause low blood pressure.

Who is diphenhydramine unsuitable for? ›

you should know that generally diphenhydramine should not be used in older adults, except to manage serious allergic reactions, because it is not as safe or effective as other medication(s) to treat your condition.

Is diphenhydramine safe for the elderly? ›

Diphenhydramine can cause decreased reaction times and dizziness. In older people with other medical problems or physical impairments, this may lead to falls or accidents, especially while getting up to urinate at night. The potential for bone fractures is a notable concern.

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