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A member asked:
Is it safe to give an 11-year-old child benadryl (diphenhydramine) every night to sleep?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
NO: Benadryl/ Diphenhydramine is a medication used to decrease allergic reaction and not a medication for sleep. Sleep is a side effect if the medication. Other side effects include heart arrhythmia, nervous system dysfunction and more.
Answered 7/4/2015
5.2k views
Yes,but: Safety is a simple issue for this medication that's been around for decades & demonstrated a good safety profile when used in proper doses. It is also the primary ingredient in most otc sleep aids. However, i would wonder whether any kid should take it as a sleep aid on a regular basis. Exploring why a kid cannot settle into a simple & effective sleep routine is worth a doc visit.
Answered 1/20/2019
5.2k views
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