You may remember the 'honey' that the doctor would give you or your baby when they suddenly had a rash, itching, or other allergy. Sometimes, children like to drink these because of their taste. Today, we are talking about a very commonly used medicine, but one that you need to know how to use carefully, called Diphenhydramine syrup.
Simply put, what is Diphenhydramine?
This is actually a medicine that belongs to the group of medicines called antihistamines . When our body has an allergy, a chemical called 'histamine' is produced. Itching, redness of the skin, and runny nose are caused by that histamine. What this medicine does is stop the action of that histamine.
This is mainly used for:
- Control all types of allergies and their symptoms.
- Prevent motion sickness, such as vomiting and dizziness, when traveling.
- It is sometimes used to control some symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma, a disease in which pressure in the eye increases
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Liver diseases
- Lung diseases, especially asthma
- Pain or discomfort during urination
- Prostate problems in men
- Stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems
- The genetic condition Phenylketonuria
- If you have had an allergic reaction to this Diphenhydramine medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- If you are a breastfeeding mother
If you hide this information, you are more likely to experience unwanted side effects from the medication. So be honest and discuss everything with your doctor.
How exactly do you use this?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Shake well: Since this is a syrup, you need to shake the bottle well before using it. This will ensure that the ingredients in the medicine are mixed properly.
- Correct measurement: This is where many people make mistakes. Don't use the teaspoons or rice spoons you have at home. They don't measure accurately. Only use the measuring plastic cup, spoon, or dropper that comes with the medicine.
- Take it on time: Take your medicine at the prescribed time and at the prescribed intervals. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
- When giving to children: Doctors sometimes prescribe this to children over 2 years of age, but only in special cases. So you need to be very careful. Do not give even a drop more than the dose the doctor tells you.
- Elderly: People over the age of 65 may experience more severe side effects (drowsiness, dizziness). Therefore, doctors often prescribe a lower dosage.
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. But go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Taking this with certain medications or foods may change its effectiveness or increase side effects. We call this a drug interaction.
Do not take Diphenhydramine with:
- MAOI medications (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Nardil), which are used to treat conditions such as depression.
Be very careful when taking Diphenhydramine with:
- Alcohol: Can make drowsiness very severe.
- Sleeping pills.
- Medication for depression and anxiety.
- Other medicines for colds, coughs, and other allergies (they may also contain sleep-inducing ingredients).
- Medicines belonging to the class of barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital).
- Some blood pressure medications.
- Medicines given for some stomach diseases (e.g. dicyclomine).
Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
Be careful about these things when taking medication.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This is the main thing. You may feel very drowsy and dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, do not do anything that requires attention, such as driving, working at heights, or operating machinery .
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common. You can manage this by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking more water.
- Dry eyes and blurred vision: Dry eyes may occur. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort. Lubricating drops can be used. If this problem persists, see an eye doctor.
- Diabetes: If you are diabetic, ask for the sugar-free version of this syrup.
Possible side effects
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to report to the doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips/tongue/face, difficulty breathing. |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. |
| Difficulty urinating | Inability or difficulty urinating. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Drowsiness | It is common in the first few days of taking the medicine. |
| Dry mouth | Drinking water can provide relief. |
| Constipation | Drinking water and eating foods high in fiber can provide relief. |
| Headache | It usually goes away in a few days. |
Take-Home Message
- Always use this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, in the correct dosage.
- Do not use household spoons to measure medicine. Use the measuring cup that comes with the medicine.
- This medicine may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or performing hazardous tasks that require attention.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Keep the medicine bottle in a safe place out of reach of children. The sweet taste may tempt children to drink these.
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