Paradoxical reaction to Benadryl?

Nurses Medications

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Out of curiosity, individuals that tend to have a paradoxical reaction to Benadryl where is makes them hyper instead of sedate them...

is there one route of administration that tends to give that reaction more than others?

If a patient has that reaction, does that mean they can't receive benadryl again?

Is it a random occurrence or will it happen everytime that person takes that benadryl?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I have that reaction to oral Benadryl. It's miserable. Due to the oral reaction, I'd never willingly take any form of Benadryl.

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

I am 99% sure that PO benadryl sent my husband into Afib with ventricular tachycardia that required a cardizem drip. He now lists it as an allergy. It was the first time he ever took it, and he ended up on a cardizem drip. So coincidence or not, he no longer takes benadryl. He has been 2.5 years afib free, so...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I do. Unless I'm having an allergic reaction Benadryl 1/2 dose makes me hyper, full dose makes me even worse. Doesn't matter if PO or IV.

If I'm in the middle of a reaction covered in hives the Benadryl does its job and attacks the reaction without neurological/emotional side effect.

It's not an allergy but adverse effect. First discovered when an impatient nurse misread the standing order in case of anesthesia reaction and slammed it in IV thinking it would sedate me when I was anxious pre-procedure. My surgeon had never seen such a strong reaction No one has an allergic reaction to D5NS (the fluid that was running. Everything else would be given immediately pre-op or intra-op).

In my case I'm fine taking Benadryl if having an allergic reaction.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I can take benadryl, but there are other meds that I have paradoxical reactions to. SSRI/SNRi-heart palpitations and paranoia. Up for 2 days the first time I tried 10 mg Lexapro. Can't take Nyquil, same reaction. I have one child that has same reactions that I do the other doesn't. Weird. Good thing to be aware of when treating patients; to be able to recognize. I had one pt that was a sweet little old lady and they were afraid to give her a heavy narcotic like oxy, so they gave her tramadol. Made her mean as a snake! Threw her walker at me....

Ya just never know!

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Whispera said:
I have that reaction to oral Benadryl. It's miserable. Due to the oral reaction, I'd never willingly take any form of Benadryl.

So in an allergic reaction, what can you take? Do all antihistamines do that to you?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Infofreak411 said:
So in an allergic reaction, what can you take? Do all antihistamines do that to you?

There are numerous other antihistamines not chemically related to Benadryl/diphenhydramine.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

It wires me too! I used to take it to sleep when I worked nocs and then all of a sudden I had restless legs and it felt like my skin wanted to crawl off my body. No more for this gal!

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Specializes in M/S, pedi.

I too get crazy restless legs with benadryl, but it was better my itchy skin rash.

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.
BittyBabyGrower said:
It wires me too! I used to take it to sleep when I worked nocs and then all of a sudden I had restless legs and it felt like my skin wanted to crawl off my body. No more for this gal!

That happened to my son with Claritin. I think he was 4 at the time. Longest night ever!

1 Votes
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Infofreak411 said:
So in an allergic reaction, what can you take? Do all antihistamines do that to you?

The only reactions I've had since discovering the benadryl effect: I had a rash-on-my-arms reaction to Clindamycin that I just lived with. I had a reaction to contrast dye that was rash and hives over my entire body. I thought I was going to either die or zip off my skin and throw it away. I took hydroxyzine which helped some, but not enough. Luckily I didn't find my trachea closed off.

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I have that sort of reaction to Dextramethorphan - the main ingredient in most cough and cold remedies. The only thing I can take is Delsym and ONLY one dose per day...the first time I took Dayquil I was awake for 2 days.

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