Diphenhydramine

Diphenhydramine or diphenhydramine hydrochloride is a commonly used antihistamine, which is also used for coughs, to aid sleep, for certain symptoms of Parkinson's diease, as well as for allergy symptoms. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl, which is sometimes used as a sleep aid as well as an anti-histamine.

Additional active ingredients
Products containing diphenhydramine often contain other ingredients, for example: Other common ingredients include:
 * acetaminophen (paracetamol) for night-time pain relief
 * expectorants like guaifenesin, or dextromethorphan hydrobromide in cough products
 * levopenthol, a decongestant and pain reliever
 * ethyl (a form of alcohol) especially in cough syrups
 * food colorings, especially reds and blues

Brand names
Diphenhydramine is marketed under many different brand names including:
 * Allermax
 * Banophen
 * Benadryl
 * Benylin Chesty Coughs Original and Benylin Mucus Cough Nights (syrup)
 * Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid
 * Covonia Nighttime Forumla
 * Diphedryl or Diphenhis
 * Nytol One-A-Night
 * Nytol QuickCaps
 * QlearQuil Nightitme Allergy Relief
 * Siladryl Allergy
 * Silphen Cough
 * Sominex original
 * Tranquil
 * Twilite
 * Vanamine PD
 * Unisom Sleepgels maximum strength
 * Z-Sleep
 * ZzzQuil

Risks and safety
Diphenhydramine has a wide range of side effects include dizziness and drowsiness.

Using diphenhydramine under a brand name marketed for nighttime pain, coughs or cold and flu also involves the side effects of other active ingredients, or from inactive ingredients such as food colorings.

Costs and availability
Diphenhydramine is available over the counter, under many different brand names including Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is available in tablet, capsule or syrup/liquid form, and in anti-histamine products as a cream, spray or ointment to be applied to the skin.

In the UK, diphenhydramine is a pharmacy-only medication and is not given on prescription.

Learn more

 * Diphenhydramine - drugs.com
 * Diphenhydramine - NHS
 * Diphenhydramine - WedMD