Diphenhydramine for decades -known as the brand name Benadryl-It was a drug to relieve allergic symptoms such as runny nose, water and rashes. However, despite the long existence of many pharmaceutical cabinets Some experts say that they retire popular medicine.
The side effects and other risks of this drug should no longer be obtained or widely prescribed at the counter. Some doctors World Allergic Journal Earlier this year, “Diphenhydramine: It’s time to say goodbye.”
“If Benadryl has been in a clinical trial today, I will not be approved for the OTC market due to side effects.” LAWRENCE B. Schwartz, MD, PHDAllergies and immunology experts in VCU Health who did not work in the paper health.
The reasons why schwartz and others say are time to go from Benadryl:
Dipen Hydramine According to the US Allergic, Asthma and Immunology Academy, adults and children can be taken and are used to treat seasonal allergies, urticaria, motion disease and insomnia.
Drugs are known as A “1st generation” antihistamines, It means that it is an old drug that binds and blocks the histamine receptor of the body, especially the H1 receptor. Cells of the entire body produce histamine during allergic reactions in blood vessels, airways and nerves, and play some of the brains and awake.
It was approved as a prescription in 1946, and in the 1980s, Diphenhydramine was provided in about 300 formulations, combined with its own or other components. There is no data on OTC use, but more than a million prescriptions are created every year in the United States.
According to a recent paper, Benadryl is widely used because of its low price (average prescription cost), and it is widely used because it can effectively treat various allergic symptoms, from itchy eyes to hives, hives and bugs.
Like all antihistamines, benadryl is the cause. drowsiness Block the H1 receptor and cross the blood-brain barrier.
But it also does something else to create side effect. For example, it blocks sodium channels to act as a topical anesthetic and help potential. Dangerous heart effect.
In addition, it can increase the oral drying, blurry vision, constipation, urine retention and heart rate. This is because it blocks acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Trisha Ray, MDAllergies and immunology clinical directors of Beth Island health.
Because of these important side effects, the manufacturer eventually developed a “second -generation” antihistamines such as Laurat Tadine (Claritin), Zyrtec or FEXOFENADINE (Allegra) to provide soft options to the body.
This new drug binds only to H1 receptors and crosses the blood brain barrier at a level that is much lower than Benadryl. It is less likely to cause drowsiness and other side effects Ray said.
Some experts say so 2nd generation antihistamines Simple More safer Than benadryl.
The authors of the February thesis pointed out that the sedation effect of Benadryl (the pharmaceutical industry began to start marketing with sleep in the 1970s, and could affect concentration, attention, memory and performance until the next day.
“The patient often does not know the potential of this well -established effect,” he said. James H. Clark, MDJohns Hopkins School of Medicine Johns Hopkins Dysphagia and Deglutition Clinic co -authors and papers. “This scenario caused a vehicle accident in a patient who underestimated the sedatives after taking such drugs.”
One study shows that a single dose dipe hydramine damaged more than 0.1% of blood alcohol levels, but FEXOFENADINE (Allegra) did not affect driving.
Experts quote other reasons for Benadryl.
- Additional side effects, Heart rhythm disorder, constipation, urine preservation, dry eyes, blurry vision and skin flushing
- Cognitive effect, In the cumulative use of adults over 65 years of age, such as confusion including Alzheimer and increased risk of dementia.
- Children’s stirring risks and increases of confusion, The extreme calm and coma may continue.
- Abuse of abuse, As Tiktok “Benadryl Challenge”, which led to hospitalization and death, explained
Direct head-head studies have not compared the effects of the second-generation drugs with the effects of the Benadryl, but many studies have shown that these drugs have fewer side effects, which can effectively allergic allergies, the authors of the paper said.
“The existence of effective and safe second generation antihistamines, frequent, sometimes serious side effects and proven abuse of abuse for the first generation of agents, has been concluded that it is time to eliminate the possibility of diphene hydramine in the immigration market without prescription and prescription.
The author is not the only advisor to the first defense against Benadryl.
Since 2020, the United States allergies, asthma and immunological academies, American asthma, allergies and immunological academies, allergies and immunology are encouraged to collect symptoms that affect nasal and nasal cavity when treating rhinitis. Prescribe the second generation oral antihistamines for the first generation options. Reduce the risk of side effects. Many global guidelines also prefer secondary antihistamines for hives and rhinitis.
For people with chronic allergies, the second -generation antihistamines are not only less side effects, but they continue to last longer and allow for consistent use in high doses.
But Benadryl is still in a certain situation. Jessica Hui, MDThe pediatric allergy specialist and immunologist of the National Jewish Health health.
For example, Benadryl may be desirable if you are in a desired situation if you don’t want to take long -lasting drugs in the body, or as before the procedure, HUI said.
In the case of acute allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, the fast action of Benadryl can be the best choice for 20 minutes to 30 minutes to 30 minutes to second -generation antihistamines, Ray said.
“This may not be a big difference in most cases, but in clinical experience, I have witnessed the rapid improvement of benadryl administration in an acute environment.
In addition to some purposes, HUI advised patients with allergies for relief for second -generation antihistamines. “In general, it will be safer in the second -generation antihistamines, especially the elderly,” he said.
