Imagine suddenly getting red all over your body and itching... or a runny nose or a runny nose, or your eyes are red and itching. In times like these, a common medicine that we often get when we go to see a doctor or buy from a pharmacy is Diphenhydramine. Many people in our country know this by the brand name "Piriton". So is this a medicine that is only given to an allergy sufferer? What should we be careful about when using this? What are the side effects? Today, we will talk about all this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is this medicine called Diphenhydramine?
Simply put, Diphenhydramine is a drug that belongs to the antihistamine class. Now you might be wondering what this antihistamine is. Okay, let me explain it this way.
Imagine you are allergic to something like shrimp or squid. What happens if you eat it without knowing it? You start to itch and scratch all over your body. Some people have difficulty breathing. When you have an allergy like that, our body's immune system produces a chemical called "histamine." The itching, runny nose, red eyes, and hives are caused by this chemical called histamine.
So what this Diphenhydramine medicine does is block the action of that histamine. When the histamine stops working, those allergic symptoms gradually decrease. Do you understand?
This medicine is also used for several other things:
- Motion Sickness: Some people feel dizzy and feel like vomiting while riding a bus or van, right? This medicine is also given for that condition. Taking this about 30 minutes before a trip can prevent that discomfort.
- For some symptoms of Parkinson's disease: This medicine also helps to some extent in controlling some of the movement difficulties that occur in Parkinson's disease.
- In cases of insomnia: One of the main side effects of this medication is drowsiness. Therefore, it is sometimes used as a short-term sleep aid. However , never take this medication to help you sleep without the advice of a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This is very important. Before your doctor prescribes Diphenhydramine for you, it is essential to inform him about your other medical conditions and the other medications you are taking. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions.
Remember, it is very important for your own safety to talk honestly with your doctor about your health history.
If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Illness or condition | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma (eye condition) | This medicine can increase eye pressure and worsen glaucoma. |
| High blood pressure or heart disease | This medicine may affect some heart conditions. |
| Lung diseases such as asthma | This can thicken the secretions in the respiratory tract and increase breathing difficulties. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | This medication can make urination more difficult. |
| Stomach ulcers or other digestive tract problems | This can affect some digestive tract conditions. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is mandatory to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | This medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk, so you should ask your doctor. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods, or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to diphenhydramine or any of its ingredients. |
How should I use this medicine?
- Take with water: Always take this medicine with a full glass of water.
- Follow the instructions: Take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you, at the time he tells you, and in the amount he tells you. Read the directions on the medicine label carefully. Never take more than the doctor tells you.
- For travel: If you are taking this to prevent other discomforts while traveling, drink it 30 to 60 minutes before departing.
- When giving to children: You need to be very careful when giving this medicine to children. Sometimes, instead of making children sleepy, it can make them hyperactive. Therefore , do not give this medicine to young children without the advice of a doctor.
- If you are over 65 years old: Older people may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger. This means that they may experience more drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
What do you do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
This is very important. If you think you or someone in your household has taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Do not take this lightly, as an overdose can be dangerous.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, it is two to three hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications you take may interact with Diphenhydramine and cause unwanted side effects. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Never take Diphenhydramine with these! | |
|---|---|
| MAOI medications (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) used to treat mental illnesses such as depression. Your doctor will know what these are. | |
| These things can also react, so be careful. | |
| Alcohol | Severely increases drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Sleeping pills | Causes excessive drowsiness. |
| Other medications for mental illness | Side effects may increase. |
| Medicines for colds, coughs, or other allergies | Because it may contain ingredients similar to diphenhydramine, the dosage may increase. |
| Painkillers (especially morphine) | Drowsiness and breathing difficulties may occur. |
| Barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital) | Causes excessive drowsiness. |
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- Drowsiness and concentration: Many people may feel very sleepy after taking this medicine. They may also feel dizzy and have difficulty concentrating. Therefore, do not do dangerous activities such as driving, working at heights, or operating machinery while taking this medicine.
- Be careful when getting up: Getting up suddenly from a sitting or lying position can cause dizziness and fall. So get up slowly and carefully.
- Dry mouth: It is common to experience dry mouth while taking this medication. Chew sugar-free gum and drink plenty of water. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor.
- Dry eyes: Your eyes may feel dry and your vision may be a little blurry. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience more discomfort. Lubricating eye drops can be used. However, it is best to talk to your doctor about this as well.
Common side effects
Like any medicine, Diphenhydramine can have side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Vision changes | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, and loss of vision. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability or difficulty urinating. |
| Side effects that are usually common, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist: | |
| Drowsiness | This is a very common side effect. |
| Dry mouth and nose | Drinking water can provide relief. |
| Constipation | You can get relief by drinking more water and eating foods high in fiber. |
| Headache | It is usually mild. |
| Stomach discomfort | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
Storing medicine
- Keep away from children: This is the most important thing. Keep medicines in a high, locked place out of the reach of small children and pets.
- Store at the appropriate temperature: Store tightly closed at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Discard after expiration: Check the expiration date on the medication. Do not use expired medication and dispose of it properly.
Take-Home Message
- Diphenhydramine is a medicine used to treat allergies, motion sickness, etc. Always use it only under the advice of a doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially glaucoma, high blood pressure, asthma) and any other medications you are taking.
- This medication may cause drowsiness , so avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery.
- Do not take this medication with alcohol for any reason. Doing so can cause very serious side effects.
- If you miss a dose, do not take two doses at once. If you accidentally take too much, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
- Always keep medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children .
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