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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Diphenhydramine is used to relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes sneezing and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. Diphenhydramine is also used to relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation. Diphenhydramine is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia . Diphenhydramine is also used to control abnormal movements in people who have early stage parkinsonian syndrome or who are experiencing movement problems as a side effect of a medication.
Diphenhydramine will relieve the symptoms of these conditions but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Diphenhydramine should not be used to cause sleepiness in children. Diphenhydramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
How Should I Use This Medication
Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. To prevent motion sickness start taking this medication 30 to 60 minutes before you leave.
Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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Benadryl In Stead Of Trazodone For Sleeping
I was taking 150mg of Trazodone to get to sleep at night before I was on any PD medications. Once I started Azilect I started reducing the Trazodone by 50 mg for 3 weeks and now take 1 over the counter Benadryl each night and it is working better than the Trazodone did. I just wanted to share that and see what others say about taking Benadryl to get to sleep.
I tried Benadryl before I was even diagnosed and it caused me to shake so bad the bed would vibrate.
Oh geese that’s awful. It doesn’t do that to me at all.
Benadryl does not provide normal sleep patterns. Pilots are prohibited from using Benadryl for 48 hours before flying as it affects cognition. I would be very careful in using Benadryl for an extended period.
That’s the first I’ve heard of this. Surely it has less effect on cognition than Trazodone. I’ve stopped the Trazodone for a couple of reason. First being I keep needing more and more to get to sleep and the second is that it is one of those Atypical Anti-depressants that causes weight gain. I asked my doctor if it was safe to use Benadryl and he said it’s not a problem.
It is a problem
I remember researching and using Benadryl many years ago. I Suggest anyone using check the ingredients as what is in Benadryl in one country is different to it’s composition in another. Just found this info but don’t know how up to date it is:
What’s Hot In Pd Short And Long
People with Parkinson’s disease frequently struggle to identify drug therapies that can address bothersome symptoms such as sleep dysfunction, bladder urgency, drooling and tremor. Many of the drug therapies such as Benadryl , Advil PM, Alleve PM, common antihistamines, and others pills are readily available over the counter and do not require a prescription. These medications block a cholinergic receptor in the brain, and can improve many Parkinsons disease symptoms. However, the price of taking these drugs may be steep . An older French study of hospitalized Parkinsons disease patients revealed that though 46% of all demented patients were confused, 93% on anticholinergic therapy had delirium and confusion when in the hospital . Deficiencies of the chemical acetylcholine have been reported to underpin thinking issues and shortages of the chemical have been observed in the brainstem, hippocampus, and cortex of Parkinsons disease patients. Though anticholinergic use can result in drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention, memory problems as well as constipation, many patients find these therapies useful. In this months Whats Hot column we will address the short and long-term potential side effects of using of anticholinergic medications in Parkinsons disease.
Some practical suggestions include:
Selected References:
Sakakibara R. . Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2013 53:1389-92. Review. Japanese. PubMed PMID: 24292000.
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Some Side Effects May Be Serious If You Experience Any Of The Following Symptoms Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating or painful urination
Diphenhydramine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
What Should I Watch For While Using This Medication
Visit your care team for regular check-ups. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
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What To Do Before Taking Benadryl For Migraine
Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication. However, it doesnt mean you should take it without consulting your doctor first. When you are having a migraine attack, your judgment may be clouded, and you could miss some of the serious side effects.
Before taking Benadryl for migraine, you need to do the following.
What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Benadryl
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain diphenhydramine. This includes medicines for sleep, cold/allergy symptoms, or anti-itch medicine used on the skin. Using too much diphenhydramine may lead to a fatal overdose.
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How Do You Break A Migraine Cycle
Treating patients with ketamine for four to five days can appear to break a cycle of chronic migraine, he says. Ketamine for migraine is now being tested in a pilot study . There’s also evidence that some new treatments work synergistically with older treatments, such as Botox injections, says Silberstein.
What Should You Do About Benadryl And The Risks Of Dementia
In 2008, Indiana University School of Medicine geriatrician Malaz Boustani developed the anticholinergic cognitive burden scale, which ranks these drugs according to the severity of their effects on the mind. Its a good idea to steer clear of the drugs with high ACB scores, meaning those with scores of 3. There are so many alternatives to these drugs. For example, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors like citalopram or fluoxetine are good alternatives to tricyclic antidepressants. Newer antihistamines such as loratadine can replace diphenhydramine. Exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and cognitive behavioral training can help reduce urinary incontinence.
One of the best ways to make sure youre taking the most effective drugs is to dump all your medications prescription and nonprescription into a bag and bring them to your next appointment with your primary care doctor.
Adapted from a Harvard Health Blog post by Beverly Merz
About the Author
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Whats The Relationship Between Parkinsons And Sleep
Parkinsons disease and sleep are connected in complex ways that not even scientists completely understand quite yet.
Sometimes, Parkinsons disease directly causes sleep problems. According to one study, sleep-related symptoms may be one of the earliest signs of Parkinsons disease. These signs may include things like thrashing while youre asleep.
Other factors can also play a role. One thing is clear: For many people with Parkinsons disease, a restful nights sleep can be hard to find.
Migraine Treatment Tweak Could Reduce Office Visits
Adding dexamethasone to standard treatment for acute migraine decreases the incidence of short-term recurrence.
Bernard Ewigman, MD, MSPH, PURLS EditorBernard Ewigman,. Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago. . Add dexamethasone to the standard treatment of moderate to severe migraine headache a single dose may prevent short-term recurrence, resulting in less need for medication and fewer repeat visits to the office or emergency department.. Does the addition of dexamethasone to standard therapy for acute migraine headache decrease the incidence of recurrent headache for patients treated in the emergency department?. Singh and colleagues performed a systematic search for randomized controlled trials studying the use of corticosteroids in the emergency department as a treatment adjunct for migraine headache.. The adjunctive therapydexamethasone or placebowas initiated in the ED, in addition to routine treatment.. Does the addition of dexamethasone to standard therapy for acute migraine headache decrease the incidence of recurrent headache for patients treated in the emergency department?. Headache.
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Reduce Risks Of Certain Side Effects
When a patient has an acute migraine attack, doctors may consider administering a migraine cocktail. The choice of drugs for the cocktail usually depends on the patients medical history and symptoms and may include the following:
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NSAIDs for inflammation and pain reli
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Acetaminophen for pain relief
To reduce the side effects of some of these drugs, doctors may prescribe Benadryl.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Benadryl
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Benadryl with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
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How Does Parkinsons Disease Cause Sleep Problems
Researchers have yet to uncover every nuance of the Parkinsons and sleep connection. So far, medical experts believe several causes may contribute:
- Chemical changes in the brain: Ongoing research shows that Parkinsons disease may disrupt sleep-wake cycles. Changes to certain brain chemicals may cause people with Parkinsons to get less sleep.
- Medication: Some drugs that treat Parkinsons disease may make it harder to fall or stay asleep. A medication may also disrupt your sleep patterns by making you drowsy during the day .
- Mental health challenges: People with Parkinsons commonly deal with mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. Any mood disorder may keep you up at night or make you sleep less soundly.
- Parkinsons symptoms: Pain, waking up at night to pee or other Parkinsons symptoms can make restful sleep harder to come by. Sleep apnea can also disrupt sleep.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location รข one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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What Is This Medication
DIPHENHYDRAMINE treats the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions. It may also be used to prevent and treat motion sickness or symptoms of Parkinson disease. It works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines.
This medicine may be used for other purposes ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME: Alka-Seltzer Plus Allergy, Aller-G-Time, Banophen, Benadryl Allergy, Benadryl Allergy Dye Free, Benadryl Allergy Kapgel, Benadryl Allergy Ultratab, Diphedryl, Diphenhist, Genahist, Geri-Dryl, PHARBEDRYL, Q-Dryl, Sleepinal, Valu-Dryl, Vicks ZzzQuil Nightime Sleep-Aid
Where Should I Keep My Medication
Keep out of the reach of children and pets. This medication can be abused. Keep your medication in a safe place.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C . Keep container closed tightly. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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What Are The Causes
Drug-induced parkinsonism is caused by medications that reduce dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that works to control bodily movements.
Dopamine is also part of the brains reward system. It helps you feel pleasure and enjoyment, and it supports your ability to learn and focus.
Medications that bind to and block dopamine receptors are called dopamine antagonists. These medications arent used to treat Parkinsons disease. Rather, theyre used to treat other conditions that might seriously impact your quality of life.
If your doctor has prescribed a medication that causes unwanted side effects, you may have options. You may also decide that the side effects are worth it if the medication effectively treats your condition.
Some medications that cause drug-induced parkinsonism include:
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Diphenhydramine comes as a tablet, a rapidly disintegrating tablet, a capsule, a liquid-filled capsule, a dissolving strip, powder, and a liquid to take by mouth. When diphenhydramine is used for the relief of allergies, cold, and cough symptoms, it is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. When diphenhydramine is used to treat motion sickness, it is usually taken 30 minutes before departure and, if needed, before meals and at bedtime. When diphenhydramine is used to treat insomnia it is taken at bedtime . When diphenhydramine is used to treat abnormal movements, it is usually taken three times a day at first and then taken 4 times a day. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diphenhydramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or directed on the label.
Diphenhydramine comes alone and in combination with pain relievers, fever reducers, and decongestants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.
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Serious Side Effects Of Benadryl
Some people can face serious side effects that may land them in an emergency room. While these consequences are rare, your doctor would explain what to do in case they occur.
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Allergic reactions
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you need to call the doctor immediately. Some of them are easy to confuse with migraine symptoms. The best way to ensure that you are not in any medical danger is to visit an ER.
In general, children and people over 60 who have medical conditions such as liver diseases, kidney problems, heart conditions, or diabetes have a higher risk of developing side effects.
Since Benadryl isnt a key migraine management medication, your doctor is likely to cancel it in case you experience any of the side effects.
What Types Of Sleep Problems Do People With Parkinsons Disease Have
Parkinsons disease affects every person differently. It also impacts sleep in different ways. People with Parkinsons may have:
- Insomnia, finding it hard to fall asleep.
- Fragmented sleep, waking up many times over the night.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, finding it hard to stay awake during the day.
- Very vivid dreams, which may cause hallucinations or confusion after waking up.
- Emotional dreams or nightmares, which may make you feel emotionally drained after waking up.
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