The Bottom Line. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used mostly to treat seasonal allergies. In overdose, diphenhydramine can cause excessive sleepiness, confusion, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, seizures, and coma. Take Benadryl as directed by a pharmacist or physician to avoid unwanted side effects.

Can I take 4 Benadryl at one time?

For mild allergy symptoms in adults and children ages 12 years and older, 25 mg to 50 mg of Benadryl is recommended every 4 to 6 hours. The most you should take in a 24-hour period is 300 mg. For children ages 6 to 11 years, the recommended dose is 12.5 mg to 25 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

What happens if I take 3 Benadryl at once?

“Taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma or even death,” said the FDA in the warning.

Can I take 4 Benadryl for an allergic reaction?

Benadryl is an antihistamine medication that treats allergic reactions, hives, and allergy symptoms. The recommended dose for adults and children 12 and over is 25 to 50 milligrams every four to six hours as needed. Children 6 to 11 should take 12.5 to 25 milligrams every four to six hours as needed.

What happens if I take 1000 mg of diphenhydramine?

Severe symptoms (delirium/psychosis, seizures, and coma) can occur with ingestion of >1.0 g DPH. The frequency of coma and seizures may increase with ingestion of >1.5 g DPH, and electrocardiographic disturbances may occur with ingestion of >3.0 g DPH.

12-year-old girl overdosed on common drug

Is 500mg of diphenhydramine too much?

Taking more than the recommended dose is more likely to lead to an overdose and uncomfortable side effects rather than euphoria. More than 500 mg, which is more than 40 times the recommended dose, may lead to a state of delirium, hallucinations, and other overdose symptoms.

Is 100 mg of diphenhydramine too much for sleep?

What is the maximum dose of diphenhydramine for sleep? When used as a sleep aid the maximum recommended dosage is 76mg for diphenhydramine citrate or 50mg for diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

How long does 4 Benadryl last?

The effects of diphenhydramine typically last for 4 to 6 hours. However, individual factors such as dosage, metabolism, and tolerance can influence how long the effects are felt.

Is it safe to take 4 allergy pills?

Toxic doses of antihistamines may happen when a person takes 3 to 5 times the normal amount. No matter how much a person overdoses, they should seek medical help or call a poison control center.

How many Benadryl to take for anaphylaxis?

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): • Adult Dose: 25-50 mg IM or 25 mg slow IVP (over 3 minutes) • Pediatric Dose: 1 mg/kg IM or slow IVP (over 3 minutes) 2. Albuterol aerosol as needed for wheezing. May repeat. Pediatric Dose: 1 mg/kg IM or slow IVP (over 3 minutes) 3.

What is the maximum amount of Benadryl you can take at once?

The most common dose contains 25 mg of diphenhydramine in each tablet or capsule. This is the formulation we'll be discussing here. The recommended adult Benadryl dosage for allergies is 1 to 2 tablets or capsules by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. You shouldn't take more than 6 doses (300 mg) in a 24-hour period.

How to get Benadryl out of your system?

Your body needs water to process this drug, so when you don't drink enough water, your body won't be able to flush it out of your system. Moreover, people with liver problems will have Benadryl longer in their bodies because the active ingredient is processed in the liver.

Can you double up on Benadryl?

Do NOT "double-up" on a dose. Do NOT take a dose sooner than you're supposed to. Do NOT take two different antihistamines at the same time. Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble finding a drug that works well for your allergy symptoms.

What if I accidentally took 3 Benadryl?

If someone takes too much Benadryl or takes diphenhydramine by accident, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control can be obtained online at www.poison.org or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Will 3 Benadryl make me sleep?

Some people also take Benadryl as an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid since it causes drowsiness. The recommended Benadryl dosage for sleep is 25 mg to 50 mg by mouth at bedtime in adults and kids ages 12 years and older. Benadryl should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks at a time.

Is 4 Benadryl too much for a dog?

Benadryl dosage for dogs.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the safe dosage is 2-4 milligrams of medication per kilogram of weight, or 0.9 to 1.8 milligrams per pound. This amount can be administered two to three times daily, depending on your dog's symptoms.

Is it bad to take 4 antihistamines?

Overdosing on antihistamines, the most common line of defense against seasonal allergies, can lead to increased drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and—in the case of first-generation sedating antihistamines—seizures and coma.

What happens if I take too much antihistamine?

At any point following ingestion, seizures may occur, but they typically occur within the first one to two hours. Visual disturbances may manifest as mydriasis, blurred vision, and diplopia. Cardiovascular findings include tachycardia and both hypertension and hypotension.

Is 4 Benadryl at once too much?

How many Benadryl can you take at once? Adults can take up to 100 mg or 1-2 tablets of Benadryl at once. However, you should try to take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time to treat your symptoms.

Will 4 Benadryl make you sleepy?

Yes, Benadryl is an antihistamine that causes drowsiness in most people. Some people use Benadryl for this side effect if they have trouble sleeping (insomnia), but this is not recommended long-term. The drowsy or sedation effect typically lasts about 8 hours, but may persist into the next day if taken at night.

Why is Benadryl not recommended anymore?

Benadryl has poor specificity for its targets, and can therefore affect many different body systems. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is why it is known to cause such significant sedation. While you will likely fall asleep if you take Benadryl, it does not lead to quality sleep.

What happens if you take 50 mg of diphenhydramine?

Diphenhydramine overdose[9][10] can cause significant toxicity, ranging from agitation to cardiac arrhythmias[11] to rhabdomyolysis and classic anticholinergic toxidrome. [12] Signs and symptoms may include the following: Delirium, agitation, confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, ataxia, tremor, seizure.

How many Benadryl to fall asleep?

If you take it at night to help you sleep, the normal dosage is 25 to 50 mg. But the dosage can vary depending on the person. For instance, older people may take a lower dosage to minimize side effects.

What is the maximum amount of diphenhydramine you can take?

For adults and children over 12 years of age, the maximum dosage is 300 mg each day. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is 150 mg each day. Adults or children should not apply Benadryl products, such as the cream, gel, and spray, to their skin more than four times per day.

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