Benadryl Allergy

What is Benadryl Allergy?

Benadryl Allergy is a range of medicines that relieve symptoms of hay fever and other conditions, such as pet and dust allergies. Each contains an antihistamine and helps with symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.

At Prescription Doctor, we offer two types of Benadryl Allergy products:

• Benadryl Allergy One a Day: Contains 10 mg of cetirizine dihydrochloride
• Benadryl Allergy Relief: Contains 8 mg of acrivastine

Both Benadryl Allergy Relief and Benadryl Allergy One a Day can also be used to treat the symptoms of urticaria (also known as hives), where the skin looks blotchy with white raised bumps (wheals) surrounded by redness.

How Does Benadryl Allergy Work?

When the body detects something harmful, such as an infection, it produces chemicals called histamines, which cause blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, helping it protect itself. If you're allergic to something otherwise harmless, such as pollen, animal hair, or dust, your body may mistake it for a threat and release histamine, which binds to receptors throughout the body and causes symptoms like sneezing, a blocked nose, skin rashes, and watery eyes.

The active ingredients in Benadryl Allergy One a Day and Benadryl Allergy Relief are classified as selective H1 receptor antagonists, which means they specifically target the receptors that histamine binds to. Both cetirizine and acrivastine work by binding to these receptors, thereby preventing histamine from doing so and causing unwanted symptoms.

Unlike some antihistamines such as cinnarizine (found in the travel sickness medicine Stugeron) and diphenhydramine (the ingredient in Nytol sleep aids), cetirizine and acrivastine are non-drowsy and are less likely to make you feel sleepy.

How Long Does Benadryl Allergy Take to Work?

Benadryl Allergy One a Day and Benadryl Allergy Relief are fast-acting treatments for hay fever and other allergic reactions. You should start to feel better within 1 to 2 hours of taking acrivastine (Allergy Relief) and within an hour of using cetirizine (One a Day).

How Effective is Benadryl Allergy?

Both Benadryl Allergy Relief and Benadryl Allergy One a Day have been clinically proven to be effective against hay fever symptoms and other allergic reactions. Each active ingredient (acrivastine) and (cetirizine) has been noted to improve quality of life and work quickly to relieve ailments.

An analysis of four clinical trials found that cetirizine 5 mg and 10 mg provided significant symptomatic relief in adults with a history of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) when compared to a placebo. Compared with baseline, participants in the cetirizine group experienced a 23% to 52% improvement in symptoms after one week of therapy. Meanwhile, a reappraisal described cetirizine as clinically efficacious in allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria and as a first-choice antihistamine.

As for acrivastine, a randomised, double-blind trial found that 38% of participants taking 8 mg of acrivastine achieved a 50% reduction in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms within 60 minutes, compared with 17% using a placebo. The median time for a 50% reduction was 80 minutes for the acrivastine group and more than 120 minutes for placebo. A review of its pharmacological properties also described the medication as having a rapid onset of action, making it particularly useful for 'on demand' therapy.

How to Take Benadryl Allergy Tablets

Benadryl Allergy One a Day and Benadryl Allergy Relief are for oral use only. Swallow them whole with a glass of water, and take them with or without food. It's essential that you do not take more than the stated dose for each product.

The table below outlines the dosage requirements for both Benadryl Allergy Relief and Benadryl Allergy One a Day:

If your hay fever or allergy symptoms persist or worsen, speak to your clinician for advice.

If You Forget to Take Benadryl Allergy

If you forget to take Benadryl Allergy tablets, take the next dose as needed, as long as you do not exceed the maximum dosage within a 24-hour period. Do not take a double dose to make up for one you have missed.

If You Take Too Many Benadryl Allergy Tablets

If you take more Benadryl Allergy tablets than you should, contact a doctor or visit your nearest accident and emergency department. Take the Patient Information Leaflet for your medication with you, along with any remaining tablets.

Benadryl Allergy Side Effects and Cautions

As with most medications, Benadryl Allergy One a Day and Benadryl Allergy Relief can cause side effects, though not everyone will experience them. Because they contain different active ingredients, each treatment has a different side effect profile.

If you experience any adverse reactions when taking Benadryl Allergy tablets, you can report them to your clinician or use the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme. Doing this could help provide more information about the treatment's safety.

Side Effects of Benadryl Allergy One a Day

The table below outlines some of the adverse reactions that can occur when taking Benadryl Allergy One a Day:

If you experience any of the following, stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical help:

• Sudden onset of fever, reddening of the skin, many small pustules
• Sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing
• Bruising or bleeding more easily than normal
• Convulsions or hallucinations
• Loss of consciousness

If you develop these adverse reactions, stop taking the treatment and consult your clinician:

• Confusion
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Rapid heartbeat

More information about possible side effects of Benadryl Allergy One a Day can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication.

Side Effects of Benadryl Allergy Relief

The table below outlines possible adverse reactions when using Benadryl Allergy Relief:

If you notice swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat that may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical help. If you develop a rash or other allergic reactions, cease treatment and talk to your clinician for advice.

For more information regarding the side effects of Benadryl Allergy Relief, read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with the medication.

Benadryl Allergy Warnings and Interactions

Although Benadryl Allergy Relief and Benadryl Allergy One a Day are effective treatments for hay fever and allergy symptoms, they may not be suitable for everyone. The table below shows circumstances where you should not take the medications:

If you're unsure about whether any of the above applies to you, speak to your clinician before starting the medication.

Precautions Before Taking Benadryl Allergy

Seek medical advice from your doctor or clinician before you take Benadryl Allergy tablets if any of the following criteria apply to you:

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Advice

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your clinician or doctor before taking Benadryl Allergy. Do not take Benadryl Allergy One a Day 10 mg tablets during breastfeeding because cetirizine can pass into breast milk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benadryl Allergy