Can Benadryl Help Me Sleep?

Information about this over-the-counter sleeping pill

The over-the-counter (OTC), brand-name antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a popular choice for the management of allergy or cold symptoms, including irritated and itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose.

Benadryl can also be used for the treatment of insomnia. Its active ingredient, diphenhydramine, is the sleep-inducing element in many sleep aid medications.

Benadryl does not require a prescription, so many people who have acute (short-term) insomnia use it to help initiate and maintain sleep.

Due to its potential for side effects, especially among older people, alternative approaches for managing insomnia are often recommended before the use of Benadryl. The medication can lead to dizziness, issues urinating, headaches, and more. Benadryl should only be used for short-term treatment of insomnia.

This article will discuss what insomnia is—and how to diagnose and treat it. It will then discuss the uses of Benadryl, including how it works to help with insomnia. Lastly, the article will cover important information about Benadryl's side effects and warnings for people with specific health conditions or taking certain medications.

Woman in bed with her head halfway under the pillow
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What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes issues falling and staying asleep, as well as poor sleep. These symptoms are quite common: In a 2020 survey, 14.5% of U.S. adults expressed frequent difficulties falling asleep in the past 30 days.

In some, insomnia is directly caused by stress or environmental changes. You may also experience it if your sleep routine is disrupted, for example, by taking naps or regularly waking up to care for a baby. People who work the night shift or spend long periods in excessively high or low temperatures are at a higher risk of insomnia. Other risk factors for insomnia include age (older people are at a higher risk), genetics, and sex (more common in women).

An insomnia diagnosis can be made if you experience sleep difficulties at least three nights per week. Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms, medications, medical history, lifestyle, and family history. They may also order tests such as a sleep study or blood tests to rule out thyroid issues or other sleep disorders.

The key to treating insomnia is adopting healthy sleep habits such as:

  • Keeping a regular sleep schedule
  • Putting away electronic devices before going to bed
  • Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and medications that disrupt sleep (including some over-the-counter medications for colds and allergies)
  • Managing stress through meditation or relaxation techniques
  • Limiting food and liquid intake before bedtime

Psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can provide valuable skills, both about general good sleep habits and individual techniques for reducing sleep anxiety.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe sedative medications for short- or long-term use. They may also recommend over-the-counter remedies such as medications with antihistamines (like Benadryl) or melatonin supplements.

What Is Benadryl Used For?

Benadryl has many potential uses. It can help:

  • Relieve allergies or treat allergic reactions
  • Prevent motion sickness
  • Alleviate extrapyramidal symptoms—certain movement issues that may occur as a side effect of some medications

You can get Benadryl over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket, which may cost under $20 for 100 tabs.

Role In Treating Insomnia

Benadryl causes sleepiness, and it is sometimes recommended for short-term treatment of insomnia or acute insomnia (insomnia that occurs for less than three months).

Benadryl may help you get to sleep or stay asleep. However, it may cause sleepiness the day after taking it. Importantly, Benadryl should only be used to induce sleepiness in adults.

To treat insomnia, Benadryl should be taken half an hour before bedtime. The medication can remain in your body between 3.4 and 9.2 hours and is removed through urination.

Benadryl's active ingredient, diphenhydramine, is one of the ingredients found in multiple other over-the-counter sleep aids including:

  • Tylenol PM
  • Advil PM
  • Aleve PM
  • ZzzQuil

How It Works

Benadryl is part of a class of medications called antihistamines. It works at the level of neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers within the brain.

Benadryl's active ingredient, diphenhydramine, causes sedative effects by allowing histamine, a neurotransmitter, to build up in the spaces between nerve cells. Diphenhydramine explicitly blocks histamine uptake into nearby cells and works centrally within the brain and peripheral nerve cells in other body parts.

Benadryl can also suppress coughs, nausea, and uncontrolled movements in people with early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Safely Taking Benadryl

Children younger than 2 years old should not use Benadryl. Additionally, caution should be used when this medication is used by children younger than 6 years old and people 65 years and older.

Benadryl should not be used to make children sleepy.

If you have increased intraocular pressure, such as in glaucoma, you should use caution with Benadryl. Other conditions may also require caution, including:

  • Asthma
  • Bowel or bladder obstruction
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Pneumonia
  • Prostate enlargement

If you have these conditions, discussing your risk with your healthcare provider before taking the medication is essential.

Should Pregnant or Breastfeeding People Use Benadryl?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider before using any medication, supplement, or herb.

Side Effects

Some side effects that may occur with Benadryl include:

If you're experiencing vision or urination issues (such as difficulty or pain urinating), make sure to see a healthcare provider.

Severe

There are also risks of serious side effects. These occur more rarely. They may include:

  • Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that includes difficulty breathing)
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Seizures
  • Acute labyrinthitis (inner ear problems)

Warnings and Interactions

Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication, so the risks are slightly lower than prescription medications. However, people with certain conditions should use Benadryl with caution or avoid it entirely. Speak to a healthcare provider before taking Benadryl if you have:

Benadryl may interact with medications for allergies, pain, sleep, and psychiatric conditions. It's essential to review your medications and supplements with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before use. Potential interactions include Benadryl with the following:

Summary

Benadryl is an over-the-counter antihistamine with the active ingredient diphenhydramine. It can be taken 30 minutes before bed to treat insomnia, but shouldn't be used to treat sleep issues long-term.

Although Benadryl doesn't require a prescription, it can still cause side effects. Make sure to see a healthcare provider right away if you experience vision or urination issues. Certain health conditions and medications can put you at a higher risk of side effects, so it's best to speak to a healthcare provider before trying Benadryl.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the sleep aid diphenhydramine the same as Benadryl?

    Yes. Diphenhydramine is the generic name for Benedryl, an antihistamine that causes drowsiness.

    Diphenhydramine works to promote sleep by altering neurotransmitter levels and causing sedative effects.

  • How much Benadryl should I take to sleep?

    Typically, one to two Benadryl tablets are taken to help with insomnia, 30 minutes before bedtime. Benadryl is commonly sold in 25-milligram (mg) doses to treat an allergic reaction.

  • Is is safe to use diphenhydramine for sleep every night?

    Diphenhydramine is a non-addictive sleep aid. However, it is only recommended for short-term treatment of insomnia.

    There is little research on the long-term effects of diphenhydramine use for sleep issues, but some studies have shown negative effects of the medication, especially in older populations. The medication label suggests limiting diphenhydramine use to two weeks out of the month.

    Diphenhydramine is a type of drug known as anticholinergic. Regular use of anticholinergics is associated with an increased risk of dementia among people over age 55.

Insomnia Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Additional Reading
Brandon Peters, M.D.

By Brandon Peters, MD
Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist.