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How to Manage Living With an Alcoholic

Medically reviewed by Dr. Po-Chang HsuOctober 1, 2024
Written by
On October 1, 2024

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • Benadryl is a brand name for the antihistamine medication diphenhydramine.
  • Benadryl is used to treat allergy symptoms.
  • Benadryl and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants, and combining them can exacerbate sedative effects.
  • Combining Benadryl and alcohol increases the risk of experiencing side effects and overdose.
  • Benadryl should only be taken as directed on the packaging or by a healthcare provider.

Alcohol and Benadryl are central nervous system depressants that cause drowsiness, loss of coordination, and dizziness as common side effects. Taking them in combination can exacerbate their sedative effects, causing life-threatening symptoms.

Alcohol and Benadryl should not be combined due to the risk of overdose and death. Benadryl should only be used as recommended. Most people do not experience serious side effects when taking Benadryl as directed. The danger comes when taking higher than recommended doses or when combined with alcohol or other drugs. If you experience serious side effects, seek medical attention immediately, as it can be fatal.

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl is a brand name for diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that treats allergy symptoms and allergic reactions.[1] Benadryl blocks histamines that cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, hives, skin rash, and other allergy symptoms. It can also induce sleep, prevent and treat motion sickness, and treat some Parkinson’s disease symptoms.  

Benadryl is considered a safe medication as it is easily accessible in most stores and pharmacies as an over-the-counter medication. However, Benadryl has some serious risks and side effects that are magnified when combined with alcohol or other drugs. 

Risks and Side Effects of Benadryl

On its own, Benadryl has some significant common and serious side effects one should be aware of before taking it. 

Common Benadryl side effects include:[2] 

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth, nose, eyes, or throat 
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision 
  • Upset stomach
  • Constipation 
  • Loss of coordination 

Serious Benadryl side effects include:[3]

  • Pounding or irregular heartbeats
  • Allergic reaction: skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat
  • Vision problems: eye pain, blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, loss of vision
  • Urination problems: difficulty urinating, painful urination, little or no urine
  • Confusion
  • Feeling faint
  • Tightness in neck, jaw, or uncontrollable tongue movements

 

Should you experience any of the above serious side effects, stop taking Benadryl immediately and seek emergency medical attention.

Dangers of Combining Benadryl and Alcohol

Benadryl is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This is why its side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of coordination due to its depressant or sedative effects. Alcohol is also a CNS depressant with sedative effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed breathing. Combining two CNS depressants can exacerbate their side effects. 

Combining Benadryl and alcohol increases one’s risk of experiencing serious side effects and overdose. Benadryl and alcohol can be a life-threatening combination.

Potential for Overdose

The FDA warns that taking a higher-than-recommended dose of Benadryl can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.[4] Taking too much Benadryl can result in an overdose. Combining Benadryl and alcohol increases your risk of overdose. Benadryl overdose symptoms include:[5] 

  • Inability to urinate
  • Blurred vision, enlarged pupils, very dry eyes
  • Dry mouth
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Dry, red skin
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Delirium
  • Depression
  • Drowsiness, increased sleepiness
  • Hallucinations 
  • Nervousness
  • Tremor
  • Unsteadiness
  • Nausea & vomiting

 

There are serious and fatal consequences when misusing Benadryl. It has been involved in both accidental and intentional deaths. In the United States, diphenhydramine is one of the top ten implicated medications in overdose deaths, equalling over 3% of all drug overdose deaths.[6]

Diphenhydramine was the most commonly noncontrolled drug simultaneously present in accidental methadone overdose in the U.S. Among suicides that involved a single drug, it is the third most common medication used. Between 2010 and 2018, antihistamines were the cause of 6% of the suicide and attempted suicide reports to the US National Poison Data System. 

Safe Use Guidelines

Take Benadryl only as recommended on the packaging or by your healthcare provider. You should only take the recommended dose. Taking higher than recommended doses can result in life-threatening symptoms. You should only take it for the recommended duration. Benadryl is not recommended for long-term use.  

You should use Benadryl with caution when driving, operating machinery, or engaging in other potentially hazardous activities, as it can cause drowsiness and dizziness.[7] You should use Benadryl with caution if you have consumed alcohol, as this combination can increase drowsiness and dizziness. 

Children under two years old should not be given Benadryl. Always check with the child’s medical provider before administering medication. Giving a child too high a dose of Benadryl can result in death. 

If you are pregnant, talk to your medical provider before taking Benadryl. The safety of taking Benadryl while pregnant is unknown. If you are nursing, you should not take Benadryl as it can be passed through breast milk and harm your baby. 

Women can be more sensitive to alcohol effects and, therefore, may feel the sedative effects of mixing Benadryl and alcohol more strongly.  

Older adults can be more sensitive to Benadryl. If you are over 65, you may need a dose lower than recommended to avoid experiencing side effects. This will also result in older adults experiencing increased side effects and dangers of combining Bendaryl and alcohol. 

Benadryl can interact with prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, illegal drugs, herbal supplements, and alcohol. If you are taking any additional medications,  supplements, or recreational drugs, let your doctor or pharmacist know so they can warn you about any potentially dangerous interactions. 

Benadryl should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions. Suppose you have any of the following medical conditions. In that case, you should avoid taking Benadryl unless you have talked to your healthcare provider first and they have verified that the benefits outweigh the risks of taking Benadryl. Medical conditions that should avoid Benadryl include: [8]

  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure or heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Lung or breathing disease
  • Pain or trouble urinating
  • Prostate trouble
  • Stomach problems or ulcers
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding

Benadryl Misuse and Alcohol Abuse: Get Help Sooner Rather Than Later

Benadryl is a safe and effective medication to treat allergy symptoms when used as directed. It can become a dangerous medication with life-threatening consequences when taken at higher than recommended doses or when combined with alcohol or other drugs.

If you believe you or a loved one is struggling with Benadryl misuse, discuss it with your healthcare provider. They can recommend professional treatment options to help lower use. These may include detox, inpatient, or outpatient treatment programs. The key is to find a treatment program that meets your needs, and you feel comfortable with to support your recovery process.

Alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder can present challenges on its own. However, if you mix Benadryl or any over-the-counter medication, this can be amplified. Both alcohol and substance misuse are common problems and are not something to avoid discussing with your loved ones and healthcare providers. Eliminating substance abuse by attending drug or alcohol rehab can improve your quality of life and overall health.

Medical Content Writer

Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol and Benadryl

You should not mix any medications, drugs, supplements, or alcohol while taking Benadryl. Benadryl’s common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Combining Benadryl with anything else can cause dangerous, life-threatening interactions that require emergency medical attention.

The Benadryl Challenge was a viral social media challenge that began in 2020 (particularly on TikTok).[9] The challenge encouraged people to take as many as twelve Benadryl tablets at once to attempt to cause hallucinations. Emergency rooms reported numerous visits for emergency medical care due to the challenge, and there have been confirmed deaths as a result of the challenge. The teens who died from the challenge experienced seizures and comas that resulted in death. The recommended dose of Benadryl is not to exceed six tablets in 24 hours for children ages six to twelve and not to exceed twelve tablets in 24 hours for those over twelve.

You should not take Benadryl and alcohol before bed. Both Bendaryl and alcohol have sedative effects and can compound each other’s side effects. This can result in extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, and low blood pressure. If you experience these side effects while asleep, you could potentially stop breathing and die in your sleep.

You should not have a beer or any other alcohol when taking Benadryl. This is especially true if you do not know how your body reacts to taking Benadryl. Mixing alcohol and Benadryl can result in serious life-threatening side effects. If you choose to have a beer after taking Benadryl, you should avoid activities requiring coordination and alertness. If possible, have someone stay with you until you know you have not suffered any serious negative consequences.

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[1,7] Drugs.com. (n.d.). Benadryl: Uses, dosage & side effects. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/benadryl.html on 2024, Sept 18.   

[2,3,8] Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 1). Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Uses & side effects. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20500-diphenhydramine-syrup-or-elixir on 2024, Sept 18.  

[4] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020, September 24). Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Drug Safety Communication. Retrieved on https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/benadryl-diphenhydramine-drug-safety-communication-serious-problems-high-doses-allergy-medicine on 2024, Sept 18.

[5] U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, November 2). Diphenhydramine overdose: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002636.htm on 2024, Sept 18.  

[6] Oyekan, P. J., Gorton, H. C., & Copeland, C. S. (2021). Antihistamine-related deaths in England: Are the high safety profiles of antihistamines leading to their unsafe use? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 87(10), 3978-3987. Retrieved from https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bcp.14819 on 2024, Sept 18.

[9] Elkhazeen, A., Poulos, C., Zhang, X., Cavanaugh, J., & Cain, M. (2022). A TikTokTM “Benadryl Challenge” death—A case report and review of the literature. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 68(1), 339–342. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15149 on 2024, Sept 18.

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