HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

True allergy to benadryl (diphenhydramine). can i take claritin? are they different enough that it shouldn't give me the instant hives that benadryl (diphenhydramine) does?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Antihistamines: Both Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin are antihistamines and both are given to treat hives. I would suggest consulting a board certified allergist to review your history of your reaction to benadryl, (diphenhydramine) i doubt your hives are because of it.

Dr Green agreed

Answered 1/28/2017

5.1k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Is it safe to give my 16 month old(who weighs 19lbs) children's Claritin instead of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for allergies?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Currently taking Claritin and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for allergies. Would it be safe to instead take clairtin and chlorpheniramine? Should be temporary.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My 8 year old son is having seasonal allergies. I am giving him childrens Claritin but was wondering if he can also have childrens Benadryl (diphenhydramine) ?

10 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

Can allergies make you swell up and retain water? I notice when i take Claritin it lasts longer than Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and im not retaining fluids as much

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I took 10 mg loratadine (non drowsy 24 hr Claritin) 8 hours ago for my allergies. It didnt work and Im trying to go to bed so i was wondering if it was safe to take 25 mg diphenhydramine HCl (Benadryl) since it does make you drowsy?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

My 3 year old has allergies which i treat with Claritin , but now he has hives on his legs ! can I give him Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin at the same time ?
Is it ok to take Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to treat my allergies? I've tried zyrtec and Claritin but they don't work.
I took Claritin 24 hours, 12 hours ago but my allergies are out of control again. Can I take half a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to help with my itchiness?
I took claritin an 1.5 hours ago. Can't sleep and it didn't help. Can I take benadryl (diphenhydramine)? I have severe seasonal allergies.
Can my baby 4 month old take allergy medication as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or claritin?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.