Benadryl Cough Syrup | Uses, Side Effects, Composition, Price & Dosages

Benadryl cough syrup belongs to the group of Antihistamine medicines and is used to relieve symptoms of hay fever, allergy, and the common cold. These symptoms may include itching, rashes, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy eyes or nose, throat, cough, and sneezing.

Nature of Benadryl:	Antihistamine
Composition of Benadryl:	Diphenhydramine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate
Uses of Benadryl :	Hay fever, allergy, common cold, nausea, vomiting caused by motion sickness, sore throat
Side Effects of Benadryl:	Facial swelling, difficulty in swallowing, stomach or epigastric pain, sleepiness, and impaired coordination.
Precautions of Benadryl:	People with breathing problems, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, and seizures should avoid Benadryl syrup.

It also treats and prevents nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. The soothing effect of this syrup is known to help the patient relax and fall asleep. The Benadryl cough syrup is manufactured in India by Johnson & Johnson Ltd.

Uses and Benefits of Benadryl:

Benadryl Cough Syrup can help in the treatment of cough, which can relieve symptoms of common cold, hay fever, and allergies. Symptoms for these conditions include:

Rash
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Itching
Cough
Itchy eyes/nose/throat
Runny nose

Benadryl can also be used in the prevention and treatment of health conditions like dizziness, vomiting, and nausea caused by motion sickness. It also plays a major role in inducing sleep and relaxing the patient’s body.

Side Effects of Benadryl:

The most dangerous side effects of Benadryl are of rare occurrence, but can still be serious in nature. The following side effects may occur:

Dizziness
Dry mouth, nose, or throat;
Loss of coordination
Constipation/upset stomach
Day-time drowsiness or feeling of hangover after consuming at night
Dry eyes/blurred vision
Swelling of body, face, tongue, throat
Breathing difficulty
Hives

It is advised to consult the doctor immediately in case any or all of the above-mentioned side effects are experienced.

Common Dosage of Benadryl:

Benadryl cough syrup is advised to be taken according to the prescription given by the doctor. One can also check the label of the syrup bottle for consumption instructions. The measuring cup provided with the cough syrup helps measure the exact dose.

Benadryl cough syrup bottle should be shaken well before administering and the measured dose is to be swallowed as a whole.

Missed Dose : In case a dose of Benadryl is missed, it is advised to take it as soon as it is remembered. If the missed dose is remembered when it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped and scheduled dose should be taken. The patient should not take double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose : In case the patient has taken an overdose of Benadryl, it is important to consult the doctor immediately to prevent possible side effects and discomfort.

Composition and Nature of Benadryl:

Benadryl Cough Syrup comprises the following active ingredients:

Diphenhydramine (14.08mg/5ml)
Ammonium chloride (138mg/5ml), and
Sodium citrate (57.03mg/5ml)

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that prevents the effects of natural histamine from taking place in the body. This is because histamine can create symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

Ammonium Chloride is an expectorant responsible for decreasing the stickiness in the mucus, thus helping in the removal of the airways.

Sodium Citrate is a mucolytic that loosens the mucus, making it easier to cough out. Together, the three ingredients work to clear the airways and chest by excreting the cough deposits.

Benadryl Price in India:

Name	Price
Benadryl Cough Syrup (50 ml)	INR 50/-

How to Use Benadryl?

Benadryl belongs to the group of Antihistamine medicines which are responsible for treating allergies, nasal congestion, sneezing, or hives caused due to pollen, dust mites, or animal allergy.

How Benadryl Works?

Benadryl combines three medicines: diphenhydramine, ammonium chloride, and sodium citrate, which together help to get rid of accumulated cough.

Diphenhydramine, an anti-allergic, brings down symptoms of allergy (runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes).

Ammonium chloride decreases the stickiness of the mucus, which facilitates its removal from the airways.

Sodium citrate, a mucolytic, loosens phlegm and makes it easier to cough out.

When Is Benadryl Prescribed?

Benadryl is a cough relieving medicine prescribed by the doctor to treat cold and allergy-related symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sore throat, etc. It is also used to help the patient relax and fall asleep. Benadryl is known to block a certain natural substance called histamine that the body makes during allergic reactions. This substance dries the watery nose or eyes by blocking another substance produced by the body and known as acetylcholine.

Precautions and Warning – When to avoid Benadryl Cough Syrup?

Patients are advised to consult the doctor before administering Benadryl in case of the following health conditions –

Alcohol Consumption: it is strictly advised not to consume alcohol with Benadryl as it may cause excessive sleepiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: pregnant women are prescribed not to use the Benadryl as it can have adverse effects on the foetus. Lactating females are advised to take the doctor’s advice before consuming the syrup.
Kidney and Liver Related Disorders: Benadryl is unsafe to be consumed by patients suffering from Kidney or Liver related disorders.
Driving and Operating Heavy Machinery: these activities demand high mental alertness and hence it is advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery during the course of Benadryl cough syrup.

In case the following symptoms are experienced during the administration of Benadryl cough syrup, it should be brought to the doctor’s notice:

Pounding heart beats
Little or no urination
Confusion and a feeling of passing out
Painful urination
Uncontrollable movements of the tongue
Tightness in the jaw or neck

Substitutes of Benadryl:

In the event that Benadryl Cough syrup is not available, the following drugs can be used – preferably with the consent of a qualified doctor.

Nasacort Aq
Sudafed
Claritin
Zyrtec D
Nasonex
Allegra-D
Rhinocort Aqua Flonase
COF-RYL Cough Syrup
Tussberry-N Syrup
Cofsils Cough Syrup

Benadryl Cough Syrup Interactions:

The effects and efficacy of Benadryl Cough syrup may change if a person is using other over-the-counter products at the same time. One is advised to ensure they share their medical history with the doctor so as to enable them to prevent any interactions with the medicine.

Interaction with Medicines

The following drugs are known to cause interactions with Benadryl Cough syrup:

acetaminophen / propoxyphene
aspirin / caffeine / propoxyphene
bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride
brexpiprazole
citric acid / potassium citrate
citric acid / potassium citrate / sodium citrate
eliglustat
levomethadyl acetate
lidocaine / potassium chloride
phentermine / topiramate
potassium acetate / potassium bicarbonate / potassium citrate
potassium bicarbonate / potassium chloride
potassium bicarbonate / potassium citrate
potassium chloride
potassium chloride / sodium chloride
potassium citrate
potassium citrate / sodium citrate
propoxyphene
sodium oxybate
tamoxifen
thioridazine
topiramate
zonisamide

Interaction with Diseases

Do not consume Benadryl Cough Syrup if you are suffering from the following health conditions:

Anticholinergic effects
Asthma
Cardiovascular diseases
Depression
Renal/Liver Disease
Liver disease
Glaucoma

Interaction with Alcohol

It is advised not to consume alcohol with Benadryl syrup as it may have adverse side effects like excessive sleepiness and dizziness.

Benadryl Variants

Benadryl 25 mg soft gelatin capsule

Medicines that Should Not Be Taken With Benadryl Cough Syrup

The following medicines may interact with Benadryl syrup

acetaminophen / propoxyphene
aspirin / caffeine / propoxyphene
bisacodyl / polyethylene glycol 3350 / potassium chloride / sodium bicarbonate / sodium chloride
brexpiprazole
citric acid / potassium citrate
citric acid / potassium citrate / sodium citrate
eliglustat
levomethadyl acetate
lidocaine / potassium chloride
phentermine / topiramate
potassium acetate / potassium bicarbonate / potassium citrate
potassium bicarbonate / potassium chloride
potassium bicarbonate / potassium citrate
potassium chloride
potassium chloride / sodium chloride
potassium citrate
potassium citrate / sodium citrate
propoxyphene
sodium oxybate
tamoxifen
thioridazine
topiramate
zonisamide

How to Store Benadryl?

It is important to store the Benadryl cough syrup in the following manner:

Keep the Benadryl in the original bottle it came in and keep the cap tightly closed.
It is advised to store the Benadryl according to the instructions given on the bottle label.
One should ensure the Benadryl is kept out of reach of children, pets and elderly people.
Benadryl should be stored away from moisture and direct sunlight to maintain its efficacy.

FAQs

1) What is Benadryl Cough syrup used to treat?

Ans: Benadryl cough syrup is used to treat health conditions like the common cold, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, allergy, hay fever, sore throat, and sneezing, etc. The cough syrup also prevents and treats nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. The syrup also has sleep-inducing effects and hence relaxes the body which makes the patient fall asleep.

2) What are the side effects of Benadryl cough syrup?

Ans: Apart from the intended effects, this syrup may cause some unwanted effects too. In such cases, medical attention should be sought immediately. Benadryl can result in side effects like:

Facial swelling
Allergic reactions
Difficulty in swallowing
Nausea
Stomach pain
Shortness of breadth
Sore throat
Thickened respiratory tract secretions
Impaired coordination
Sleepiness

3) What are the storage conditions for Benadryl cough syrup?

Ans: The following conditions must be kept in mind while storing Benadryl cough syrup.

Benadryl syrup bottle should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
One must ensure the Benadryl is kept out of reach of children and pets.
Benadryl must be stored in the original container with the cap tightly closed to avoid contact with air, which might affect the efficacy of the medicine.

4) Can Benadryl cough syrup be consumed by breastfeeding women?

Ans: Health experts advise not to administer Benadryl cough syrup to breastfeeding women as the same may cause side effects for the baby. Benadryl contains Diphenhydramine, which can pass into the breast milk and may harm the baby.

5) What is the onset of action of Benadryl cough syrup?

Ans: The effects of Benadryl cough syrup can be observed within 15-30 minutes of oral administration.

6) Is Benadryl cough syrup habit forming?

Ans: Benadryl cough syrup may become habit-forming if not taken as per the doctor’s advice.

7) Under what health conditions should one not use Benadryl cough syrup?

Ans: The following health conditions may interfere with the effects of Benadryl cough syrup:

Emphysema – Benadryl might worsen the condition of Emphysema which may cause breathing difficulty. It is important to report the medical conditions to the doctor.
Chronic Bronchitis – Benadryl cough syrup might worsen the condition of chronic bronchitis which may cause breathing difficulty.
Smoking – the cough syrup is not recommended for use if the patient has a cough related to smoking, COPD, and asthma conditions.
MAO Inhibitors – It is not recommended for use with MAO inhibitors since their combination increases the risk of severe side effects.

8) Can Benadryl cough syrup be taken with food?

Ans: There is no specific indication for the time of dose and hence the cough syrup can be taken with or without food. However, it is better to take the dose at a fixed time.

9) Is Benadryl syrup an over the counter medicine?

Ans: Yes, Benadryl cough syrup is an over-the-counter medicine that helps in relieving common symptoms of cough, sore throat, allergy, and other related ailments.

10) What are some important tips to be followed during the administration of this syrup?

Ans: The following points must be taken into consideration during the administration of Benadryl cough syrup:

When using Benadryl for motion sickness, it is advised to take the medicine 30 minutes before the exposure to motion. Take subsequent doses before meals or at bedtime for the duration of the exposure.
Benadryl syrup should not be used for inducing sleep in children less than twelve years of age.
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene in case one is taking Benadryl for long term use.

Benadryl Cough Syrup: Uses, Side Effects, Composition & Dosages