diphenhydramine / phenylephrine
Benadryl Plus Congestion is a combination of two medications: diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's an over-the-counter medication for adults and children that can treat symptoms of allergy and the common cold. This medication is taken by mouth, typically every 4 hours as needed. The combination of medications (diphenhydramine and phenylephrine) can also be found as generic tablets and liquid. Some side effects of Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) include sleepiness, dizziness, and dry mouth.
What is Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)?
What is Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Sinus congestion and pressure
How Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) works
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.
- Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine. In doing so, diphenhydramine lowers inflammation (swelling) and relieves runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing.
- Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It's thought to work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose to relieve sinus pressure.
Drug facts
Side effects of Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble urinating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
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Pros and cons of Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
Pros
- Combines two medications into one product for convenience
- Can relieve multiple allergy and common cold symptoms
- Available over the counter and as a generic tablet and liquid
Cons
- Might need to take as often as every 4 hours for symptom relief
- More difficult to customize the dose since Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) is a fixed combination of two medications
- Might not be a good choice for people over 65 years old or people with glaucoma, breathing problems, stomach problems, or urinary problems
Pharmacist tips for Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
- The diphenhydramine in Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) can make you feel sleepy or dizzy during the day. This can affect your ability to think or react. Don't drive or do any task that needs a lot of focus until you know how the medication affects you. Also, don't drink alcohol because it can make you more tired and dizzy.
- Don't use Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) to make your child sleepy. While this medication usually makes adults sleepy, it can have the opposite effect in children and make them hyper. If your child is having trouble sleeping, contact their pediatrician or pharmacist for other options.
- Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) is only meant to relieve cold symptoms temporarily. If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week, or you start to have a fever or rash, let your healthcare team know. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.
- Stop taking Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) and contact your healthcare team if you experience dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. These might be side effects from the phenylephrine or other medications in Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine). Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your care team might ask you to consider alternative medications.
- Don't start any new medications while taking Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine), especially other antihistamines or decongestants, without talking to your HCP or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that are not real), daytime sleepiness, dizziness, high blood pressure, or even death.
- Don't take Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline, phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). This combination can cause high blood pressure. If you've taken an MAOI in the past 2 weeks, contact your prescriber for other options to treat your symptoms.
- If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, don't take Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) until you've talked to a HCP first about the risks and benefits of taking this medication. It's not clear how safe it is to take Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) while pregnant or breastfeeding.
More tips for the Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) liquid:
- Store the Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) liquid at room temperature. Keep it in the original bottle to protect it from light.
- If you're using a liquid form of Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine), use the medication dose cup or syringe that came with the product to measure your dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- Some Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) liquids contain sodium. Ask a member of your care team if it's okay to use Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) liquid if you're supposed to be on a low-sodium diet because of medical conditions like heart failure or kidney problems.
Common questions about Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
You should start to feel some symptom relief within an hour after your dose of Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine). This is typically how long it takes for diphenhydramine to start working.
Yes, Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) contains phenylephrine, which is a decongestant used to relieve sinus pressure and stuffy nose.
Phenylephrine, one of the active ingredients in Benadryl Plus Congestion, is a decongestant. But evidence suggests phenylephrine doesn't work well in relieving sinus pressure or congestion. If Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) isn't helping your symptoms, let your healthcare team know because they can talk with you about other options.
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) can be helpful for treating certain cold symptoms, like runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. But Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) isn't able to help you fight off the cold virus. Most people recover from a cold after about 10 days. It's important to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated with fluids during this time.
No, the manufacturer's direction says to take 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours. Each tablet of Benadryl Plus Congestion contains diphenhydramine 25 mg and phenylephrine 10 mg. Talk to your primary care provider if this medication isn't working well for you. They can walk you thought other medication options or home remedies to treat your symptoms.
Yes, it's possible to feel sleepy after you take Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) because it contains diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. However, it also contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that can have the opposite effect and keep you awake. Pay attention to how Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) affects your sleep. Contact your primary care provider to discuss better options for you if it's making you too sleepy or interrupting your sleep and affecting your daily activities.
Yes, the diphenhydramine in Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) can cause constipation as a side effect. Possible ways to help prevent constipation include eating a high-fiber diet, drink enough fluids to stay hydrated, and get regular exercise. There are also a few medications you can take to help treat constipation. Talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist about the best ways you can help prevent or treat constipation.
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) contains phenylephrine. It's not completely clear if phenylephrine is safe during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, don't take Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) until you've talked to your prescriber first about the risks and benefits of taking the medication. They can guide you to safer options, if needed.
There aren't any known interactions between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine). But acetaminophen (Tylenol) might not be a good choice for everyone. For example, it's typically not recommended for people with liver problems, unless taken as directed by their healthcare professional (HCP). Before you use any pain relievers with Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine), speak with your primary care provider or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
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Risks and warnings for Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Alcohol use | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 or older
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're 65 years or older, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) affects you.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Glaucoma | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid disease | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Breathing problems | Urinary problems
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) might worsen certain medical conditions. This medication might not be appropriate for you if you have certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and urinary problems. This medication also might not be safe if you're taking certain medications, such as opioids, or other antihistamines and decongestants. Before taking Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine), let your healthcare professional know about what other medical conditions you have and ask if this medication is safe for you.
Accidental overdose
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) contains an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which are all in many other over-the-counter products. Taking more than one medication containing an antihistamine or decongestant can lead to an accidental overdose, which can be life-threatening.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read the medication box and package labels carefully so you're aware of the ingredients, age-cut offs, and maximum dosing of your particular product. If you're not sure, ask your pharmacist to help you check for medication interactions.
Some signs of taking too much medication can include agitation or other behavior changes or high blood pressure. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help as soon as possible.
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) dosage
Typical dosage for Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)
Diphenhydramine / phenylephrine combinations are made by several manufacturers. Be sure to check the medication box or ask your pharmacist for specific instructions. Some examples are listed below.
-
Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion: Each tablet contains 25 mg of diphenhydramine and 10 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours while you're having symptoms. Don't use more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
-
Children's Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion: Each 5 mL contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine and 5 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 10 mL by mouth every 4 hours while you're having symptoms. Don't take more than 60 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Children ages 6 to under 12 years old: The typical dose is 5 mL by mouth every 4 hours while you're having symptoms. Don't take more than 30 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
How much does Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) cost?
$10.37
Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Benadryl Plus Congestion (diphenhydramine / phenylephrine)?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold: