Benadryl And Alcohol: Information, Safety, And GuidelinesBy Michaela

Benadryl is one of the most common over-the-counter medications on the market today. It is commonly taken for a variety of reasons, and many people keep Benadryl in their medicine cabinet on a day-to-day basis.

Even though Benadryl is an OTC medication that is available to anybody that wants to walk into a store and buy it, that doesn’t mean that it is safe to consume with alcohol.

This is especially true for those consuming large amounts of alcohol or those who have developed an alcohol dependency. If you are taking Benadryl regularly and also have a few drinks a day, then you may be wondering: should I be taking Benadryl and drinking alcohol at the same time?

What is Benadryl And How is it Used?

First, let’s learn everything we can about Benadryl. Benadryl is an antihistamine drug that is commonly used to treat allergies, hay fever, and other respiratory issues through the central nervous system. It is also used to help people who suffer from insomnia sleep better at night. Benadryl can be found in both liquid and tablet form, as well as injectable solutions for those with more severe allergies or breathing issues.

Can Benadryl Be Taken With Alcohol?

The short answer is no, you should not take Benadryl and alcohol together. When both substances are taken together, it can increase the side effects of each drug. It can also reduce the effectiveness of the medication – meaning it won’t work as well as if you had taken it without alcohol.

Furthermore, both Benadryl and alcohol can cause drowsiness or sleepiness, so taking them together can make you feel even more tired than if taken alone. This is especially true if you are already feeling fatigued from drinking too much alcohol.

What Are the Risks of Mixing Alcohol & Benadryl?

As mentioned above, taking Benadryl and alcohol together can increase the side effects of each drug. Here are some of the most common side effects and risks that come along with taking Benadryl and alcohol together.

Loss of Consciousness

When someone takes Benadryl and alcohol together, one of the most concerning side effects is loss of consciousness. This can range from mild drowsiness to complete unconsciousness, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening in certain cases.

Alcohol can significantly reduce the body’s ability to metabolize Benadryl, allowing it to stay in the bloodstream longer than usual and increasing its potency.

This can lead to higher levels of sedation and a greater risk of a sudden loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, taking Benadryl and alcohol together can result in a coma or death due to an overdose or respiratory arrest.

Memory Loss

Another potentially concerning side effect of mixing Benadryl with alcohol is memory loss. This symptom can be incredibly dangerous, as it affects everything from a person’s ability to remember where they put their keys, to recalling important safety information.

Memory loss due to Benadryl and alcohol consumption can lead to impaired judgment, decreased coordination, confusion, and even increased risk of falling or having an accident.

In chronic cases, memory loss can include difficulty with forming new memories, forgetting things more quickly than usual, and having trouble retaining information. It is especially important for people who have been drinking alcohol heavily prior to taking Benadryl to pay attention to any signs of memory loss as these symptoms may be more severe due to the interaction of both substances in their body.

Memory loss caused by Benadryl and alcohol is usually temporary but can cause lasting damage if left untreated or ignored. To reduce the risk of experiencing this symptom or any other side effect when taking these two substances together, it is best practice to adhere closely to the recommended dosage instructions and not combine them with any other drugs or substances.

Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the most commonly reported side effects of taking Benadryl and alcohol together. It occurs when the body does not receive enough water to replenish lost fluids, which can happen if a person drinks too much alcohol while taking Benadryl.

As a sedative antihistamine, Benadryl causes drowsiness and can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness. When combined with alcohol, this side effect is amplified and often leads to dehydration as people tend to forget to take in enough fluids throughout the day.

Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and even confusion or disorientation. In severe cases it can also lead to rapid heart rate and fainting.

In order to prevent dehydration while taking Benadryl with alcohol, it is recommended that an individual drink plenty of water throughout the day and keep track of how much they have consumed. Additionally, it is important to avoid activities that require a lot of physical activity or extended periods in direct sunlight as both put additional strain on the body’s hydration levels.

Trouble Sleeping

Taking Benadryl and alcohol together can cause people to have trouble sleeping and have the opposite effect as a sleep aid. This is because Benadryl itself is a sedative, and when coupled with the depressant effects of alcohol, it can lead to extreme drowsiness. Trouble sleeping is an especially common side effect for those who take more than the recommended dose of either Benadryl or alcohol, as this increases their overall sedation levels even further.

In addition, combining alcohol & taking Benadryl can cause an individual’s breathing rate to slow down, which can make it difficult for them to stay asleep throughout the night.

People who experience trouble sleeping after taking a combination of Benadryl and alcohol should avoid any further use of either drug until they consult their doctor or healthcare provider.

Additionally, it’s important to ensure that you get enough restful sleep each night by following good sleep hygiene practices such as avoiding caffeine late in the day, exercising regularly, and keeping regular bedtime hours. Combining Benadryl with alcohol addiction (The Alcohol Coach doesn’t use labels when talking about alcohol abuse and excessive alcohol consumption) can mean that your medication not only fails to treat allergy symptoms but also presents a danger to the patient.

Alcohol Dependency, Allergy Symptoms, And Benadryl

Do you feel that you aren’t able to effectively use the medication that you need due to alcohol dependency? Everybody deserves to feel safe while using their medication, especially when that medication is an OTC medication that is widely available.

If you are struggling with alcohol dependency, then it might be time to work with The Alcohol Coach. With a variety of programs designed to fit your needs, you can overcome your alcohol dependency and reclaim your self-control!

Let’s Recap

Benadryl and alcohol should not be taken together due to the potential for serious side effects, such as memory loss, dehydration, trouble sleeping, and difficulty with medication usage. If an individual experiences any of these symptoms after taking both substances together, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.