How safe and effective is 50mg of benadryl (diphenhydramine) for sleep?

Safe, not effective: Will help put you to sleep, but won't keep you asleep and you'll likely awake with a hung-over feeling. Moreover, it is constipating if used persistently. I prefer Ambien or Lunesta (eszopiclone) in my patients, unless there pregnant. If so, Benadryl or doxylamine, are my only choices.

Very: Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in bendryl, and is also used on multiple other bedtime over the counter preparations to cause drowsiness - i.e., tylenol (acetaminophen) pm, simply sleep, etc.