Is It Safe to Mix Benadryl and Alcohol

What You Need To Know About Mixing Alcohol With Benadryl

Benadryl is used to treat allergic reactions such as asthma, hay fever, and other allergies. It is also used to relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. The drug works by reducing the amount of fluid in the body which makes it easier for the lungs to get oxygen from air. When combined with alcohol, however, this medication may cause some unpleasant side effects.

The following are some of the possible problems caused by mixing alcohol and benadryl:

• Increased heart rate. This can result in chest pain or even sudden death. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking both medications immediately and call 911 immediately.

• Decreased blood pressure . This can lead to a drop in blood pressure which could cause a stroke or even death if not treated promptly.

• Heart attack . If you have ever had one before, you might experience another one after taking either medication together.

• Stroke . A stroke occurs when the brain suddenly stops working properly due to damage caused by a blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the brain. Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, numbness on one side of your face and weakness on your right side. These symptoms usually occur within minutes of having a stroke but they can last up to several hours.

If you think you are having a stroke, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Alcohol can also make the above problems worse even if you do not normally have these health conditions. For this reason, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking any medication. It is best to ask your physician whether or not it is safe for you to drink alcohol while taking your medications. You may also want to ask him about other options that can provide similar benefits while avoiding the risk of negative interactions with alcohol.

In the case of Benadryl, you might want to try Claritin which does not have the same interaction with alcohol.

A Quick Guide To How To Safely Combine Alcohol With Benadryl

Most doctors will warn you not to consume alcohol for at least 24 hours after taking this medicine. This is because it can make some people drowsy and actually reduce the alcohol elimination from your body. This can result in difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, and accidental injury. For this reason you should always ask your doctor before taking Benadryl if you plan on drinking alcohol that day.

People who are taking Benadryl for medical reasons may be able to consume small amounts of alcohol without experiencing the negative side effects listed above. These people should still ask their physician before drinking, however. This is because some people experience negative side effects even when others do not. It all depends on your tolerance and how much you take in.

Some Benadryl products already warn about the dangers of combining alcohol with their medicine. This is a very good idea since it lets people make an informed decision about their own safety. If your medicine does not already have this warning, you should contact the manufacturer and request that they add one. You can also look for over-the-counter drugs that do not contain any alcohol at all.

If you are taking this medicine for cold or allergy symptoms, there is no need to entirely avoid alcohol. Most people can still have a small amount of alcohol without suffering any ill effects. It all depends on the person and how much they take in. If you do decide to drink alcohol, make sure to limit yourself to one drink per hour and never exceed three drinks in a single day.

If you are taking this medicine for its sleep aid effects, you should avoid drinking any alcohol within four hours of going to sleep. You should also never drink any alcohol if you take this medicine for more than two weeks without speaking to your doctor first. This is because it can lead to the development of headaches, stomach pain, and mental confusion.

In Closing

If you plan on drinking alcohol, make sure to talk to your doctor about the appropriate amount before doing so. If he says that it is safe for you, remember the guidelines listed above to prevent any dangerous or embarrassing situations from occurring. If you’re concerned about your alcohol intake, it might be better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether while taking this medicine.

Thanks for taking the time to read this guide. Now that you have all the information you should feel more comfortable about enjoying a relaxing night with some friends and a drink or two. Just make sure to follow the advice listed above first so that you can do so safely and responsibly.

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Sources & references used in this article:

Effects of fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, and alcohol on driving performance: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the Iowa driving simulator by JM Weiler, JR Bloomfield, GG Woodworth… – Annals of Internal …, 2000 – acpjournals.org

Impact of sedating antihistamines on safety and productivity by GG Kay, ME Quig – Allergy and asthma proceedings, 2001 – search.proquest.com

Antihistamines and driving ability: evidence from on-the-road driving studies during normal traffic by JC Verster, ER Volkerts – Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology, 2004 – Elsevier