Benadryl Interactions: Alcohol, Supplements, And More

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Medical News TodaySubscribeBenadryl interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Walton, PharmD — Written by Amber R. Watson, PharmD — Updated on August 1, 2025

Benadryl and alcohol
Benadryl drug interactions
Other interactions
Health interactions
FAQ
Prevention

Key takeaways

Taking Benadryl with alcohol may intensify side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion, making activities like driving dangerous.
While there are no formal reports of interactions between Benadryl and other medications, sharing your full medication list with your doctor and pharmacist may help prevent issues.
Benadryl may worsen certain health conditions, such as breathing problems, glaucoma, and an enlarged prostate. Discuss your health history with a doctor before taking it.

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a brand-name drug that treats symptoms of conditions, such as allergies and colds. Benadryl has interactions with alcohol and certain health conditions.

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Examples of Benadryl interactions include breathing problems, glaucoma, and enlarged prostate.

Benadryl is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication available without a doctor’s prescription. It comes in the following forms:

Oral forms

tablets (Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Benadryl Allergy Extra Strength, Benadryl Ultra Tab)
chewable tablets (Children’s Benadryl Chewables)
liquid-filled capsules (Benadryl Allergy Liqui-Gels, Benadryl Extra Strength Liqui-Gels)
solution (Benadryl Allergy, Children’s Benadryl Allergy)

Topical forms

cream (Benadryl Original Strength Itch Stopping; Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping)
solution (Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief)
spray (Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Cooling)

Benadryl interactions are similar for all its available forms. (To simplify, this article uses the prescribing information for Benadryl oral tablets as a primary resource when discussing Benadryl interactions.)

By learning about possible Benadryl interactions, you can work with your doctor to ensure that Benadryl is safe and effective for you to use.

»Learn more about Benadryl, including its uses, side effects, and more.

Benadryl interaction with alcohol

The manufacturer of Benadryl recommends avoiding alcohol while taking the drug. This is because sleepiness is a side effect of Benadryl, and consuming alcohol can worsen it. Excessive sleepiness could be dangerous while driving or performing other tasks that require you to be alert.

Alcohol can also worsen other side effects of Benadryl. Examples include confusion, dizziness, and headache.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Benadryl. They can help determine whether you may be able to take a drug other than Benadryl for your condition.

Benadryl interactions with other drugs

Before you start taking Benadryl, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Keep in mind this table does not include all drugs that may interact with Benadryl or its active ingredient.

Drug class or drug name	Drug examples	Interaction result
opioids	oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet); hydrocodone (Vicodin); codeine; morphine (MS Contin); fentanyl	can increase risk of low blood pressure, respiratory depression, urinary retention, severe constipation, profound sleepiness, coma, and death
barbiturates	phenobarbital; secobarbital (Seconal)	pronounced sleepiness and CNS depressant effects
epinephrine	——	can increase risk of arrhythmia

If you have questions about Benadryl drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Benadryl and other interactions

Benadryl may interact with other substances, such as supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. Read on for more details.

Benadryl interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Benadryl interactions with herbs

There were no specific reports of herbs interacting with Benadryl. However, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Benadryl treatment.

Benadryl interactions with vitamins

There have been no reports of vitamins interacting with Benadryl. Keep in mind that you should still talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamins during your Benadryl treatment.

Benadryl interactions with food

There have been no reports of food interacting with Benadryl. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods while you take Benadryl, talk with your doctor.

Benadryl interactions with vaccines

There have been no reports of vaccines interacting with Benadryl. Your doctor can tell you more about vaccines and Benadryl.

Benadryl interactions with lab tests

There have been no reports of lab tests interacting with Benadryl. If you’d like additional information about having lab tests while taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor.

Benadryl and cannabis or CBD
Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Benadryl. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before taking cannabis in combination with Benadryl. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Benadryl treatment plan.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Benadryl and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Benadryl. Before you take Benadryl, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Benadryl may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Benadryl include:

Breathing problems: Before taking Benadryl, tell your doctor if you have breathing problems, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Benadryl may worsen these conditions. Your doctor can advise you on whether Benadryl is safe for you to take.
Glaucoma: If you have glaucoma, talk with your doctor before starting Benadryl treatment. The drug may worsen this condition. Your doctor can advise whether Benadryl is right for you.
Enlarged prostate: If you have an enlarged prostate, you should talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. It’s especially important to tell them if the condition causes you trouble urinating. Benadryl may make it more difficult than usual for you to urinate. Your doctor can tell you whether the medication is a safe treatment option for you.
Low sodium diet: Before taking Benadryl, tell your doctor if you’re following a low sodium diet. The drug may cause you to produce less urine or urinate less often than usual. This decreased urination could lower your sodium levels even further. Your doctor can advise you on whether Benadryl is safe for you.
Pregnancy: It’s likely safe to take Benadryl while pregnant. To make sure, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking the drug during pregnancy. They’ll discuss any safety issues with taking Benadryl while pregnant.
Breastfeeding: Benadryl may pass into breast milk. In a child who is breastfed, this could cause side effects such as drowsiness or extreme crying. These side effects usually occur with larger doses or repeated exposure to Benadryl. If you’re interested in taking the medication while breastfeeding, first talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Benadryl or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend not taking Benadryl. Ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

FAQ about Benadryl and interactions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Benadryl and possible interactions.

Does Benadryl interact with other antihistamines such as Claritin, hydroxyzine, or Zyrtec?

Benadryl is not known to interact with Claritin (loratadine), Vistaril (hydroxyzine), or Zyrtec (cetirizine). However, taking Benadryl in combination with any of these drugs is not typically advised, unless your doctor recommends it. This is because Benadryl and these medications all belong to a class of drugs called antihistamines. Taking more than one antihistamine at a time could worsen the side effects of this drug class. Examples of these side effects include dry mouth, headache, and sleepiness.

Are there interactions between Benadryl and sleep aids such as melatonin, L-theanine, or trazodone?

No, Benadryl is not known to interact with melatonin, L-theanine, or trazodone. Melatonin and L-theanine are herbal supplements used to help with sleep. Trazodone is a type of antidepressant sometimes prescribed for insomnia.

Sleepiness is a very common side effect of Benadryl. Taking Benadryl with melatonin, L-theanine, or trazodone could cause excessive sleepiness. For this reason, taking Benadryl with any of these products is not typically advised.

If you’re taking melatonin, L-theanine, or trazodone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Benadryl. They can recommend whether the combination of products is safe.

Does Benadryl interact with blood pressure medications?

There’s no known interaction between Benadryl and blood pressure medications.

However, if you take blood pressure medication, you’re encouraged to talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. It’s possible for Benadryl to cause low blood pressure. Taking Benadryl with blood pressure medication could cause your blood pressure to decrease to a level that’s too low.

It’s also important to note that Benadryl is available in combination cold products that can increase blood pressure. These combination products may contain decongestants such as phenylephrine. Keep in mind that Benadryl itself is not known to increase blood pressure.

To learn more about taking Benadryl and blood pressure medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Tylenol or Advil interact with Benadryl?

Benadryl is not known to interact with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).

In fact, Benadryl is often available in combination products that contain Tylenol or Advil. These products help treat symptoms of allergies and colds. Examples of these symptoms include body aches, sneezing, and a runny nose.

If you’re interested in taking Benadryl with Tylenol or Advil, first talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on whether these medications are right for relieving your symptoms.

Is there an interaction between Benadryl and Flonase?

Benadryl does not interact with Flonase (fluticasone).

Flonase is an over-the-counter nasal spray used to treat allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose. Benadryl is often used in combination with Flonase to ease allergy symptoms.

If you’d like to take Benadryl with Flonase, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can instruct you on how to safely take these medications together.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Benadryl. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan the following:

Let them know if you drink alcohol or take cannabis.
Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the packaging of Benadryl and other paperwork that comes with the drug. The paperwork, sometimes called the drug facts label, may contain details about interactions. If this information is difficult to understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist to help explain it.

You can also help prevent interactions with Benadryl by taking it exactly as the product label recommends.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Walton, PharmD — Written by Amber R. Watson, PharmD — Updated on August 1, 2025

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