Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (
Benadryl®, Sominex
®, and many others) is a medication available in both prescription and non-prescription form. It comes in many different varieties and is used for several different purposes, including the treatment of
allergies and
insomnia.
Before you start using diphenhydramine hydrochloride, information concerning the safety of using this medication should be discussed with your healthcare provider. In order to help minimize risks, you should talk to your healthcare provider before using diphenhydramine if you have stomach ulcers,
asthma,
GERD (
gastroesophageal reflux disease), or
high blood pressure (
hypertension). To help prevent drug interactions, you should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking.
There are a number of potential side effects of diphenhydramine to be aware of before starting the medication. Some of the most common side effects of the drug include drowsiness, indigestion or
heartburn, coordination problems, and dizziness.
(Click Diphenhydramine for more information on diphenhydramine hydrochloride, including details on how the medication works, other approved uses, dosing information, and warnings.)
