Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenadryl UsesTaking Benadryl While PregnantSide EffectsAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benadryl Uses
Taking Benadryl While Pregnant
Side Effects
Alternatives
Benadryl(diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is typically used to treat allergy symptoms, such as eye irritation, coughing, and sneezing. It can also be used to relievenauseaandinsomnia.
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Diphenhydramine can be used to treat common symptoms of colds, allergies, mild asthma, and hay fever, including:
Because Benadryl causes drowsiness, it can also be used to promote sleep and relieve occasional insomnia. Some people also use it to prevent and treat nausea (such asmorning sickness),motion sickness, and mild digestive issues.
Medication Safety to Treat Sleep Disorders in Pregnancy
Can I Take Benadryl While Pregnant?
About 90% of people who are pregnant take OTC or prescription medication at some point during pregnancy.
While many people need to continue taking medicine throughout pregnancy, it’s also important to weigh the potential risks. Using certain medications during pregnancy can increase the risk of serious health complications, includingbirth defects, developmental disabilities, premature birth, stillbirth, andmiscarriage.
Does Benadryl cross the placenta?Yes, Benadryl has been found to cross the placental barrier.Most drugs cross the placenta in some amount during pregnancy. The potential risk to the developing embryo or fetus depends on the type of drug, as well as the dosage and frequency.
Does Benadryl cross the placenta?
Yes, Benadryl has been found to cross the placental barrier.Most drugs cross the placenta in some amount during pregnancy. The potential risk to the developing embryo or fetus depends on the type of drug, as well as the dosage and frequency.
Benadryl is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there is not sufficient evidence to link Benadryl and other antihistamines to birth defects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) organizes medications into pregnancy categories based on their potential risk to the mother, embryo, and fetus.The FDA lists Benadryl as a Category B drug, meaning that studies on animals have not revealed that diphenhydramine raises the risk of birth defects.
However, more research needs to be done to establish that Benadryl does not pose a risk to the developing embryo or fetus.Also, no medication is 100% risk-free during pregnancy.Therefore, you should take Benadryl only when you need it. Let your healthcare provider know if you take Benadryl and are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Antihistamines During PregnancyAntihistamine use during pregnancy is common. According to the CDC, about 10% to 15% of pregnant people report using antihistamines.
Antihistamines During Pregnancy
Antihistamine use during pregnancy is common. According to the CDC, about 10% to 15% of pregnant people report using antihistamines.
First Trimester
A few older studies suggested that Benadryl and other antihistamines could slightly increase the risk of birth defects such ascleft lipandcleft palate. However, more recent research refutes these findings.
Newer studies suggest that there is not enough evidence to support the idea that antihistamines pose any risk to the developing embryo or fetus, including during thefirst trimester.
How Much Benadryl Can I Take While Pregnant?
Typically, it’s considered safe for pregnant people to take the usual recommended dose of Benadryl. People ages 12 and up can take one to two Benadryl tablets or capsules every four to six hours to treat allergy andcold symptoms. Do not take more than six doses within 24 hours.
Potential Issues
Benadryl and other antihistamines are sometimes combined with nasal decongestants to treat cold and allergy symptoms. Common decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine (both found inSudafedproducts) have been linked to a slightly increased risk of certain birth defects when taken during the first trimester.
Women who have high blood pressure should not take pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine without first consulting their healthcare provider. These drugs can raise blood pressure and increase your heart rate.If you can, avoid taking Benadryl in combination with decongestants while pregnant.
Make sure to take Benadryl during pregnancy only as directed. Do not take more than the recommended dose, and don’t take it more frequently than your healthcare provider directs.
Benadryl Side Effects
Most people who take Benadryl experience only mild side effects, including:
In some cases, Benadryl can cause serious side effects, such as problems with vision,painful urination, or difficulties with urination.If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical help right away.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you are pregnant, let your healthcare provider know if you experience any side effects from Benadryl. Some potential side effects, such as dizziness or vomiting, may be more dangerous during pregnancy than at other times.Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have more serious side effects from Benadryl, such as vision problems or painful urination.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you are pregnant, let your healthcare provider know if you experience any side effects from Benadryl. Some potential side effects, such as dizziness or vomiting, may be more dangerous during pregnancy than at other times.Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have more serious side effects from Benadryl, such as vision problems or painful urination.
If you are pregnant, let your healthcare provider know if you experience any side effects from Benadryl. Some potential side effects, such as dizziness or vomiting, may be more dangerous during pregnancy than at other times.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have more serious side effects from Benadryl, such as vision problems or painful urination.
Alternatives for Benadryl
If you’re concerned about feeling drowsy while taking Benadryl, you can try another antihistamine as an alternative. Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) both work to relievehay feverand allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and runny nose without making you feel sleepy.
Avoid Claritin D and Zyrtec D (antihistamines combined with pseudoephedrine), especially during the first trimester.
Some people want to avoid taking medication as much as possible during pregnancy. If so, you can try more natural methods of relieving your allergy symptoms, including:
Antihistamines for Treating Nasal Allergies
Summary
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that is used to treatallergy symptoms, nausea, and insomnia. Side effects are usually mild, ranging from dry mouth and headache to drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of appetite. More severe side effects may include problems with vision and/or urination.
Many pregnant people report taking Benadryl occasionally throughout their pregnancy. According to the FDA, Benadryl is a Category B medication, meaning that it is considered generally safe for pregnant people to take the recommended adult dose.
While some early studies suggested that antihistamines could slightly raise the risk of certain birth defects, more recent research does not indicate that Benadryl is unsafe to take during the prenatal period.
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14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diphenhydramine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Medicine and pregnancy: An overview.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Antihistamines.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Histamine: the stuff allergies are made of.National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Diphenhydramine.Department of Health & Human Services.FDA pregnancy categories.Honein MA, Moore CA.The safety or risk of antihistamine use in pregnancy: reassuring data are helpful but not sufficient.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):675-676. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.08.005Li Q, Mitchell AA, Werler MM, Yau WP, Hernández-Díaz S.Assessment of antihistamine use in early pregnancy and birth defects.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):666-674.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.07.008Hansen C, Desrosiers TA, Wisniewski K, Strickland MJ, Werler MM, Gilboa SM.Use of antihistamine medications during early pregnancy and selected birth defects: the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011.Birth Defects Res. 2020;112(16):1234-1252. doi:10.1002/bdr2.1749Benadryl.Benadryl dosing guide.Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427Organization of Teratology Information Specialists.Phenylephrine.University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.Which over-the-counter cold medications are safe during pregnancy?UpToDate.Patient education: allergic rhinitis (beyond the basics).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Diphenhydramine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Medicine and pregnancy: An overview.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Antihistamines.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Histamine: the stuff allergies are made of.National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Diphenhydramine.Department of Health & Human Services.FDA pregnancy categories.Honein MA, Moore CA.The safety or risk of antihistamine use in pregnancy: reassuring data are helpful but not sufficient.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):675-676. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.08.005Li Q, Mitchell AA, Werler MM, Yau WP, Hernández-Díaz S.Assessment of antihistamine use in early pregnancy and birth defects.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):666-674.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.07.008Hansen C, Desrosiers TA, Wisniewski K, Strickland MJ, Werler MM, Gilboa SM.Use of antihistamine medications during early pregnancy and selected birth defects: the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011.Birth Defects Res. 2020;112(16):1234-1252. doi:10.1002/bdr2.1749Benadryl.Benadryl dosing guide.Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427Organization of Teratology Information Specialists.Phenylephrine.University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.Which over-the-counter cold medications are safe during pregnancy?UpToDate.Patient education: allergic rhinitis (beyond the basics).
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Medicine and pregnancy: An overview.
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National Library of Medicine: PubChem.Diphenhydramine.
Department of Health & Human Services.FDA pregnancy categories.
Honein MA, Moore CA.The safety or risk of antihistamine use in pregnancy: reassuring data are helpful but not sufficient.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):675-676. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.08.005
Li Q, Mitchell AA, Werler MM, Yau WP, Hernández-Díaz S.Assessment of antihistamine use in early pregnancy and birth defects.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(6):666-674.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2013.07.008
Hansen C, Desrosiers TA, Wisniewski K, Strickland MJ, Werler MM, Gilboa SM.Use of antihistamine medications during early pregnancy and selected birth defects: the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011.Birth Defects Res. 2020;112(16):1234-1252. doi:10.1002/bdr2.1749
Benadryl.Benadryl dosing guide.
Yau WP, Mitchell AA, Lin KJ, Werler MM, Hernández-Díaz S.Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(2):198-208. doi:10.1093/aje/kws427
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists.Phenylephrine.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.Which over-the-counter cold medications are safe during pregnancy?
UpToDate.Patient education: allergic rhinitis (beyond the basics).
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