Have you or someone in your family suddenly developed an allergy, started itching, developed a rash, or started sneezing? Sometimes, some people get dizzy and even feel like vomiting (motion sickness) while riding a bus or van. One medicine that doctors can give us for things like this is this mouth-melting tablet called Diphenhydramine. Shall we talk about this in a little more detail?
What is this medicine for?
Simply put, Diphenhydramine is a medicine that is used to control the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions . Imagine, when you are allergic to food, dust, or some kind of insect (this is a Tamil word, should be குரிமீயேக் or similar), our body produces a chemical called histamine . That histamine is what causes itching, redness of the skin, runny nose, and red eyes. What this medicine does is block the action of that histamine. That is why we also call these antihistamines .
Not only this, it is also used for other things:
- Prevent and reduce motion sickness and vomiting while traveling . If you feel like vomiting while riding a bus, a doctor may recommend this.
- It also helps to some extent in controlling some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease .
- Sometimes it is given to people who are unable to sleep to induce sleep in the short term, but only under the approval of a doctor.
However, a doctor may prescribe this for other reasons besides the ones mentioned above. So if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What should I tell the doctor before taking this medicine?
Before you start using this Diphenhydramine tablet, there are some important things you should definitely tell your doctor or healthcare provider. Because not all medications work for everyone. So, if you have any of the following conditions, you should tell them:
- Glaucoma (a condition in which the pressure inside the eye increases, which can lead to blindness if not treated properly)
- High blood pressure , that is, if the pressure is high
- Heart disease (if any) (e.g., heart rhythm disorders)
- Liver disease ( the liver is what breaks down most medications in our body, so if the liver is weak, problems can arise from medications)
- Lung or breathing disease , such as severe breathing difficulties such as asthma
- If you have pain or difficulty passing urine
- A genetic condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU) (this is a very rare condition)
- Prostate problems in men (when the prostate gland swells, it becomes difficult to urinate, this medicine may make it worse)
- Stomach ulcers or other stomach problems (e.g., intestinal obstruction)
- It is also important to mention if you have had a previous allergic reaction to diphenhydramine, sulfites, other medications, foods, artificial colors, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother (Breast-feeding)
It is for your safety to inform your doctor about these things. Then, your doctor can decide whether this medication is right for you or whether he or she should give you another option.
How should I use this medicine?
This is a medicine that should be taken orally. The special thing is that this is a disintegrating tablet , so you have to hold it in your mouth until it dissolves completely before swallowing. Some people try to swallow it all at once with water, but don't do that. Keep the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve slowly. Then you have to swallow it with saliva.
Follow the instructions on the prescription label exactly. Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Don't take more than your doctor tells you to. Ask exactly how many times a day and how many pills to take at a time.
Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children. Sometimes doctors may prescribe it to children as young as 6 years old. But there are special reasons for this, and there are also things to be careful about. The dosage for young children is very different. Therefore, if you are giving it to a child, talk to the doctor carefully and ask for the exact dosage that is right for the child's weight and age.
If someone over the age of 65 takes this, they may feel the effects of this medicine a little stronger. They may experience more drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, doctors often prescribe a lower dose for them than for the average person .
Important: This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to your friends or family, even if they have the same condition as you. Everyone's body is different, so the same medicine will not work for everyone.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
Please note that if you accidentally take too much of this medicine, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call a poison control center immediately. Don't waste time. Taking too much can cause serious conditions such as difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, if your next dose is within two to three hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose, that is, take two doses of medicine at once. Doing so increases the risk of side effects.
What other things can interact with this medicine? (Interactions)
This medicine, called diphenhydramine, can cause problems if taken with certain other medicines. This means that the effectiveness of those medicines may change or the side effects may increase. Therefore, if you are taking any other medicines, it is very important to tell your doctor about them.
Especially do not take diphenhydramine with the following medications:
- MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) are a class of medications commonly used to treat depression. Examples include Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. Diphenhydramine should not be taken for at least two weeks after stopping an MAOI.
Also, Diphenhydramine can interact with the following things, meaning you should be careful if you take them together:
- Alcohol: Taking this medication with alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Barbiturates, a class of drugs that cause drowsiness (e.g. phenobarbital)
- Medicines for bladder problems (e.g. oxybutynin, tolterodine). Taking these with diphenhydramine may increase the risk of difficulty urinating and dry mouth.
- Medications for blood pressure
- Medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses (these also cause drowsiness, so taking them with diphenhydramine may increase drowsiness).
- Medications for movement abnormalities such as tremors or Parkinson's disease
- Medications for sleep
- Medicines for colds, coughs, or other allergies (many of these medicines also contain antihistamines, so the dose may increase when taken together with diphenhydramine).
- Medicines for some stomach diseases (e.g. chlordiazepoxide, dicyclomine)
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, herbs, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements you take. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of these things can interact with this medicine.
What are the things to be careful about when using this medicine?
While you are taking this medicine, see your doctor for regular check-ups. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they seem to get worse.
Your mouth may become dry. This is a common side effect of this medication. If this happens, chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless gum, or drinking plenty of water (at least 8 glasses a day) may help. If this problem persists or becomes severe, talk to your doctor .
This medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience some discomfort. Lubricating eye drops may help. If this problem persists or is severe, see your eye doctor.
You may feel drowsy or dizzy. This is the main side effect of this medicine. Therefore, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. Doing so will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness and dizziness worse. Therefore, do not touch alcohol while taking this medicine.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like all medications, this one can have some side effects. Not everyone gets them. But it's important to be aware of them. Some of them are things you should tell your doctor about right away. Others are usually not serious, but if they persist or become bothersome, you should tell your doctor .
Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately:
These can be quite serious, so if you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- Allergic reactions – These include skin rash, severe itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If the throat swells, it can make it difficult to breathe, and this is an emergency.
- Sudden eye pain or changes in vision – for example, blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss. These may be signs of worsening glaucoma.
- Trouble passing urine or not passing urine at all.
Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome):
Even if these aren't that serious, tell your doctor if they're bothering you.
- Constipation : Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber (vegetables, fruits) can help with this.
- Drowsiness : This happens to many people.
- Dry mouth : As mentioned above, drink water and suck on something sugar-free.
- Headache
- Upset stomach or nausea.
This list does not include all possible side effects. Therefore, if you experience anything unusual in addition to these, please ask your doctor about that as well. In Sri Lanka, your doctor is the best person to advise you on this.
How should I store this medicine?
It is very important to keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets . Some people may misuse (abuse) this medicine, so keep it in a safe place, such as a cupboard, and keep it locked.
Store at room temperature , between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Do not store in very hot or very cold places (such as the refrigerator). Protect from moisture. This means do not store in damp places, such as the bathroom. Throw away any medicine that has passed its expiration date.
Final Take-Home Message
So, we've talked a lot about this mouthwash called diphenhydramine. It's a prescription medication used for things like allergies and motion sickness. Keep these things in mind:
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially glaucoma, prostate problems, heart disease) and any medications you are taking.
- Take the correct dose at the correct time. Swallow it until it dissolves in your mouth.
- As it may cause drowsiness, be careful when driving or doing other activities that require alertness. Do not take with alcohol.
- If you experience any unusual side effects, especially an allergic reaction, eye pain, or difficulty urinating, see a doctor immediately.
- If giving to children, especially the elderly, follow the doctor's instructions. Be careful about the dosage.
- Keep medicines safely, out of the reach of children.
This is just a summary. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional. Stay healthy!
` Diphenhydramine, allergy, histamine, antihistamine, medication, side effects, motion sickness, Parkinson, Glaucoma
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