19 replies to this topic

[WinterRosie]

Is this even possible? I'm really tired. I need to go to the store and by more. I'm so tired.

 

I'm told that there is a non-drowsy version. Is this true?

[bluechick]

I'm pretty sure there are non-drowsy anti-histamines but I don't know how well they work.  Ask the pharmacist.  They'll know.

[Parapluie]

Staying awake on Benadryl is totally possible, at least in Canada. It's active ingredient is psuedoephedrine. Benadryl actually makes me act hypomanic, with a heaping dose of anxiety attacks. 

Edited by Parapluie, 25 January 2013 - 12:32 PM.

[WinterRosie]

Seriously? I use it as a sleeping pill 1/2 the time.

[saveyoursanity]

In the United States I think Benedryl is diphenhydramine, which is ...  yeah, pretty sedating.

 

I didn't remember seeing 'non-drowsy' Benedryl at the drug store and I'm not seeing a non-drowsy version when I look online, but somene recommended Claritin if that works for you.

[lifequake]

In my experience, the drowsiness wears off the longer you take Benadryl.  I took it for months for akathisia last year and could stay awake better as time went on (and with caffeine). 

 

Plain old Benadryl, in the U.S., is diphenhydramine HCl, the same ingredient in Unisom, ZZZQuil, and many other OTC nighttime sleep aids.  Hence, you are likely going to be a bit sleepy on it. 

 

Maybe look into a different antihistamine, like the one Parapluie suggested.

[hagar running]

I take Zyrtec (cetirizine) for allergies. I find it to be non-drowsy, and it works just as well as Benadryl ever did for me.

[WinglessFaery]

How big a dose are you taking? My pdoc says if you take too much it can actually keep you awake.

[melissaw72]

In my experience, the drowsiness wears off the longer you take Benadryl.  I took it for months for akathisia last year and could stay awake better as time went on (and with caffeine). 

 

Plain old Benadryl, in the U.S., is diphenhydramine HCl, the same ingredient in Unisom, ZZZQuil, and many other OTC nighttime sleep aids.  Hence, you are likely going to be a bit sleepy on it. 

 

Maybe look into a different antihistamine, like the one Parapluie suggested.

 

^THIS.  I can only take it for little bits of time because I develop a tolerance to it easily.

[Vanya]

Benadryl is diphenhydramine; chlorphen(ir)amine is an antihistamine that I prefer for solely anti-allergy purposes - first-generation and (for me) nonsedative. But if you must try and stay awake on Benadryl, lots and lots of caffeine or - as mentioned - tolerance is your friend. Something like three days before it becomes equal to placebo (in terms of sedation), I think. I don't think you can hit the dose at which it becomes nonsedative sans tolerance without entering delirium.

[saveyoursanity]

 I don't think you can hit the dose at which it becomes nonsedative sans tolerance without entering delirium.

 

I'm sorry, I don't understand this sentence.  Could you explain it to me?

[mcjimjam]

Have you just started taking it? Your body will get used to it pretty quick so hang in there. I don't think there's a non-drowsy version but there are the newer non-sedating antihistamines such as Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec, which you could try if you haven't already. 

 

ETA: I think if you feel like you're quite drowsy, don't drive because I've had it really affect my driving at times when I've taken more than normal. I was weaving etc. So yeah, be safe. 

Edited by mcjimjam, 27 January 2013 - 08:39 PM.

[WinterRosie]

I don't drive all that often (a couple times a year) so I'm not worried about the driving. And I take it very infrequently - anywhere from 'all day' to 'all week' once a month or three.

 

I don't know what Canada you're in Parapluie, but in this Canada Benedryl was diphenhydramine - the sleepy stuff. I wanted something more activating like Allegra but nothing else said "for hives" on it, which is what I need it for.

 

Also, I don't take very much - 25mg every four hours. Which might be why it's so sedating.

[mcjimjam]

I have cholinergic hives and Allegra was the first med recommended to me. I was told it was particularly good for that. It didn't work for but basically no antihistamines have. I think it's worth trying the various newer drugs. I mean if one of them helps then you only have to take it once a day and it is basically free of side-effects. 

[vanderk]

Zyrtec is a Benedryl derivative, so it may work for you. If you have to continue with Benedryl, the sedative effect usually fades over time. But it may take weeks/months for this to happen.

[CynicalReality]

I take claritin clear, and that is a non-drowsy allergy medication, over the counter. It works great for me without making me sleepy!

[december_brigette]

Hi all,

Im in a crisis as well as very sicky sick. For my normal insomnia I usually take 1 tablet of US benadryl (which I think is 25mgs). And I use it maybe 3-4 times a week.

crisis + sick + totally not sleeping even when I would take 1 tablet - I tried 2. No help at all.

I read this thread awhile ago and didn't think US benadryl would really prevent sleep. Other than seroquel this is the only thing that has worked. Damn you benadryl!!! Come back to me.

db

edited to fix emoticon. must sleep.

Edited by december_brigette, 18 February 2013 - 07:38 AM.

[mcjimjam]

Hi all,

Im in a crisis as well as very sicky sick. For my normal insomnia I usually take 1 tablet of US benadryl (which I think is 25mgs). And I use it maybe 3-4 times a week.

crisis + sick + totally not sleeping even when I would take 1 tablet - I tried 2. No help at all.

I read this thread awhile ago and didn't think US benadryl would really prevent sleep. Other than seroquel this is the only thing that has worked. Damn you benadryl!!! Come back to me.

db

edited to fix emoticon. must sleep.

Here in Australia, on the box it says you can take up to 100mg for insomnia. So 3 or 4 of your tablets might be okay. You could call your pharmacist and ask?

[radicalfeminist]

There's a non-drowsy version of Benadryl where I live (I'm also Canadian). It's the one my family has in the house (or usually does). I have no idea what is in it, but if I can find a box tomorrow I'll post the ingredients on here as I'm assuming its not diphenhydramine. For hives in the past my sister has been prescribed Atarax which works really well but is also sedating. I take Claritin for allergies which doesn't really work since my environmental allergies are pretty severe but I am not sure that it is often prescribed for hives. If you don't have the non-drowsy Benadryl then you can try experimenting with different non-sedating antihistamines to see if one of them works for you. I find Claritin the strongest but everyone has different reactions and preferences.

Edited by radicalfeminist, 18 February 2013 - 11:56 PM.

[radicalfeminist]

I forgot all about this, but I figured out it was not Benadryl, but the Benadryl knock-off that has the "non-drowsy" option. Sorry for the confusion. My family members refer to it as Benadryl so I've always thought that it ... was.