A 39-year-old member asked:
can you take benadryl (diphenhydramine) after alcohol?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Robert Golenbockanswered
Pediatrics 49 years experience
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and alcohol: Benadryl is very sedating. Taking with alcohol may result in respiratory depression. You can stop breathing. Use a non-sedating antihistamine like Allegra or claritin (loratadine). A number of otc medications like nyquil also contain Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A female asked:
I sampled a little bit of alcohol a few hours ago, is it safe to take some benadryl (diphenhydramine)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Chiuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 57 years experience
Probably OK: If you have had less than 2 drinks, it is probably ok to take a Benadryl (diphenhydramine) knowing that it may make you more drowsy. I certainly would not advise driving your car home however until you know for sure how much the combination may affect your mental alertness.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Greenwood, IN
A 45-year-old female asked:
Do you need to use alcohol to swab diphenhydramine vials before giving an IM injection?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Daniel Sampsonanswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 26 years experience
Good idea: especially if the vial was previously opened. It is easy to do, inexpensive and may reduce the risk of an infection at the site of injection.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Ogdensburg, NY
A 23-year-old female asked:
6 shots of alcohol mixed drinks been about 6 hours since last drink is it safe to take a benadryl?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Robert Griecoanswered
Family Medicine 37 years experience
Better choices: Benadryl is sedating and adding that to alcohol magnifies the effect. The average rate of alcohol metabolism is 1 drink per hour, but many things effect that ( male/ female, weight, race, food eaten with it) taking it to sleep is probably ok but for allergies a non sedating antihistamine like Claritin is a better choice. Avoid it altogether if you are driving. Be safe.
663 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated May 30, 2017
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