IV Benadryl

How fast did you give it? I have never had anything happen like that but it might have just been an adverse drug reaction.

Allergy to Benadryl is not common but it is out there.

Some people can get a rush from benadryl, esp if you give it with narcotics. As long as you pushed it over 1-2 minutes, it's fine. Corky1272Rn is right with the reaction. Benadryl can cause a paradoxical reaction, which can include hallucinations, tremors, or seizures. There is no way to know that unless they had it before. But, benadryl possess anticholinergic effects. There is something called acute anticholinergic syndrome. That is probably what happened. Acute anticholinergic syndrome is manifested by pupil dilation, ataxia, confusion, agitation, and sometimes...seizures. It's very rare but it's related to the anticholinergic effects of benadryl.

Give it very slow. For the elderly, I give it even slower. I also dilute in 10 cc. The flushed,crazed feeling is not fun

There's a patient who comes to our ER who is allergic to an additive in IV benadryl. Can take PO benadryl without issues, but, as one of my coworkers discovered while treating this patient for a milder allergic reaction, IV benadryl sends this patient into severe anaphylaxis. Crazy, and not a little scary for everyone involved.

I'm one of those crazy slow ivp people. I always feel more comfy giving a med while a bag of ns is running. I always check, check, check if a med can go with ns and then give it in a port.
Very important to anticipate the generalized possible effects of a med before you give it.

I've had people ordered 4mg of Morphine and sometimes only end up getting 1-2 because they just can't tolerate it. Whether it drops their bp or they complain they really don't like the way it makes them feel or I see resp lower and spo2 drop.

Most meds I give say ivp at least a minute, and it depends on the dosage but honestly, I mix that Benadryl in a small bag and hang it. 1 minute feels like a lifetime

I don't think giving it over 30 seconds was the cause. It sounds more like an adverse reaction. 30 seconds is too fast though. For future reference, the max is rate is 25 mg/min (according to the drug guide) if in an emergent situation. Non-emergent should be more like 2 minutes. If you giving 50mg, best to put it in a piggy back and do it over 10-15 minutes so you can see if there is any reaction. If someone goes into anaphylaxis, that's when you would give it over a minute.