Benadryl and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

Just remember not to overdo it and seek medical attention if you have any worrying symptoms. Depending on the quantity consumed of either substance, you may die. Beverages, mouthwashes, and other medications that include alcohol as a component should not be consumed with Benadryl.

In the same study, diphenhydramine ranked among the top 15 drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to mix alcohol and Benadryl. If you are taking Benadryl for allergy symptoms or sleep aid, it is best to avoid alcohol or consult with your healthcare provider before combining the two. The risks of addiction and overdose increase significantly when alcohol is combined with Benadryl.

Alcohol also has a temporary negative effect on learning and memory. When coupled, alcohol and Benadryl may significantly impair these cognitive capabilities. Introducing them into your system together negatively affects the functionality of the central nervous system. What’s more, you should also be aware of taking diphenhydramine with substances that have alcohol in them, such as laxatives and cough syrups. Whether it is whiskey, wine, beer, or rum, alcohol remains the most commonly abused, addictive substance in the world.

But what if I only drink a little alcohol?

As mentioned both Diphenhydramine and alcohol are addictive due to their sedative and hypnotic properties. Patients taking these substances together may be at an increased risk of developing dependency and addiction. Furthermore, as Ethanol can cause impairment and disinhibition of thought, judgment, and restraint it can increase the risk of Benadryl overdose when concomitantly used with DPH. Alcohol and Benadryl mediate their effects in the CNS by acting on various receptors. In particular, Ethanol acts on NMDA-glutamate receptors and Diphenhydramine acts on Muscarinic-Acetylcholine receptors. These receptors and their respective neurotransmitters are implicated in processes such as memory and learning.

Beyond the more straightforward health risks, this category is a bit more vague. Someone under the influence of alcohol and Benadryl could get hurt in a variety of ways. Presently, no known medications aid in easing withdrawal from Benadryl symptoms.

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We offer personalized detoxes, co-occurring treatments, family programs, inpatient and residential programs, and intensive outpatient programs. The alcohol-Benadryl interaction can result in a condition called respiratory depression. When this happens, not enough oxygen gets to your brain and other vital organs. When alcohol and Benadryl are taken together, it can put extra stress on the liver which can lead to more damage. Additionally, alcohol and Benadryl both cause drowsiness and impair your ability to think clearly.

Benadryl is one of the go-to branded versions that help ease allergic symptoms, though it can also be effective at soothing motion sickness and insomnia. Older people are at particularly high risk for harmful alcohol–medication interactions. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol, so alcohol remains in a person’s system longer. Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol—in fact, they often need to take more than one of these medications. This pamphlet lists medications that can cause harm when taken with alcohol and describes the effects that can result.

What about people struggling with alcohol abuse?

People will typically have very poor coordination when combining the two substances. This can cause very dangerous situations if you drive or operate heavy machinery, and it also makes you more likely to suffer from accidents. Even very simple activities like walking upstairs after a Benadryl and a beer can result in dangerous mishaps. Thus to be on the safe side, a person taking Benadryl eco sober house boston must not drink for at least over 9 hours following the last dose. Benadryl is a prescription medication that can effectively treat a myriad of conditions like allergies and the common cold, but it can quickly procure dangerous results when abused. Overdosing on the drug can lead to fatalities in itself, but the risk of death increases significantly when you pair it with alcohol.

You’re likely to be confused, make poor decisions, and struggle with any tasks that require mental comprehension. Keep in mind that medications often behave unpredictably when combined. Taking Benadryl with alcohol can do far more than just make your drinks seem stronger. Due to the way they interact, the two substances essentially boost each other as well. A small amount of alcohol plus a small amount of Benadryl can be far more dangerous than just a heavy dose of alcohol or Benadryl by itself. When you consume alcohol, it blocks the communication pathways within your brain.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms Video

Both drugs slow your central nervous system (CNS) which can be a serious risk if you depress its function too much. As Benadryl and alcohol both cause drowsiness and sedation, it may seem tempting to exploit this combination as a sleeping aid. However, this can also heighten other adverse side effects that will interfere with sleep, such as nausea and dizziness. As a consequence, taking Benadryl with these medications when consuming very small amounts of alcohol may still increase the risk of adverse side effects. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol so that it may stay in the system of an older adult for longer than someone younger.

• These receptors and their respective neurotransmitters are implicated in processes such as memory and learning.
• Combining these substances can create problems with motor skills in seniors due to the dizziness and sedation precipitated by mixing alcohol and diphenhydramine.
• AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers.
• We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders.
• It is also a cause for concern if you are considering taking Benadryl and alcohol because you want stronger mind-altering sensations.

This makes it harder for your brain to control essential tasks like speech, judgment, and memory. When taken in very high amounts, alcohol can also slow your heart and breath rates to dangerous levels. Alcohol also contains a lot of toxic byproducts that can damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs.

Can you drink alcohol if taking antihistamines?

Antihistamines are medications commonly used to treat allergy symptoms like allergic rhinitis, hay fever, skin rashes, and the common cold. They are available as both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. To use these allergy medications safely, you should be aware of certain precautions. In particular, you should be aware https://soberhome.net/ of the dangers of mixing alcohol and antihistamines. Mixing alcohol with antihistamines can lead to serious problems with thinking, judgement, and motor skills. Unlike first-generation antihistamines, which have a higher risk of causing problems with alcohol, it is generally safe to mix Claritin and moderate alcohol.

Patients should remember to refrain from drinking when taking Benadryl. If a person decides to take Benadryl with alcohol for any reason, it can result in one of the most detrimental mixes that compromise your central nervous system. Alcohol and Benadryl impair the liver’s ability to process chemicals. This results in a higher blood alcohol levels and long-term liver damage. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include vomiting, seizures, shortness of breath, loss of conscious and severe confusion.

To learn more about a medicine and whether it will interact with alcohol, talk to your pharmacist or other health care provider. Medications typically are safe and effective when used appropriately. Your pharmacist or other health care provider can help you determine which medications interact harmfully with alcohol. At Steps to Recovery, we offer partial hospitalization treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and outpatient care with licensed recovery housing. Our treatment center programs are trauma-informed, individualized, and accredited by the Human Rights Campaign as a leader in providing LGBTQ+ services. Additionally, at our sister program, Silver Pines, we offer an alcohol detox program.

As with most drugs used for prolonged periods, tapering down is always the safest and least unpleasant bet. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) addiction withdrawal is a real threat. People who abruptly stop taking this drug after becoming addicted may suffer severe antihistamine withdrawal symptoms. When consumed, Benadryl acts as a depressant for the nervous system.

This is inadvisable and can bring about adverse side effects detrimental to sleep, including dizziness and nausea. Unfortunately, it’s common for Benadryl to have interactions with other medications. If you take prescription medication, mixed with Benadryl and alcohol, you may experience extreme side effects that can put your health at risk. Since the drug can make you drowsy, you might think it’s a good idea to mix it with alcohol to increase its effects and make sleep easier to come by. However, benadryl should only be used to help treat your allergy symptoms.