Key takeaways:
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and runny nose. It’s safe for most adults and children ages 6 and older to take at recommended dosages.
The typical adult Benadryl dosage is 1 to 2 tablets or capsules by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Adults ages 65 and older should contact a healthcare professional before taking Benadryl. Side effects, such as dizziness and urinary retention, are more common in older adults.
Children’s OTC Benadryl dosages are based on their age. For children under age 6, talk to their pediatrician. They can help you find out if it’s OK for your child to take Benadryl.
Benadryl is available as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your medication more affordable.
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Are you suffering from allergy symptoms? If so, you might be reaching into your medicine cabinet for Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Benadryl is a common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication. It’s typically used for mild seasonal allergy symptoms.
Benadryl belongs to a class of medications called antihistamines. Histamine is a chemical that your body releases to fight off foreign invaders. It causes symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Benadryl blocks histamine from working, helping to relieve symptoms.
Benadryl is generally considered safe for most people to take, including children. But before you take it, it’s important to know the correct dosage.
What’s the typical Benadryl dosage for adults?
Benadryl is readily available OTC at pharmacies. You can find it as tablets, capsules, or in OTC combination products. The most common dose contains 25 mg of diphenhydramine in each tablet or capsule. This is the formulation we’ll be discussing here.
The recommended adult Benadryl dosage for allergies is 1 to 2 tablets or capsules by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. You shouldn’t take more than 6 doses (300 mg) in a 24-hour period.
OTC Benadryl is only labeled for the relief of mild allergy symptoms. If you’ve been told to take Benadryl for another reason by a healthcare professional, confirm the dosage they want you to follow.
What’s the typical Benadryl dosage for children?
Benadryl comes in a few child-friendly dosage forms, such as chewable tablets and an oral liquid. Children ages 12 and older can follow adult Benadryl dosages as discussed above. OTC packages typically have dosage information on them for children ages 6 and older.
Like the adult version, children’s Benadryl should only be used to treat mild allergy symptoms.
When giving medication to children, it’s important to pay close attention to make sure they’re getting the correct dose. For liquid medications, only use the dispensing cup, spoon, or oral syringe that’s provided by the manufacturer. This can help prevent an overdose. If you lose the dispensing device, ask your pharmacist for a suitable replacement.
Benadryl dosage chart for children
Below, we’ll detail the recommended children’s dosages for each Benadryl product. But for a quick and easy reference, we’re providing a children’s Benadryl dosage chart here.
Chewable Benadryl tablets
Each chewable Benadryl tablet contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine. The dosing for children’s chewable Benadryl tablets is as follows:
Children ages 12 and older: Chew and swallow 2 to 4 tablets (25 mg to 50 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 doses (300 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 6-11: Chew and swallow 1 to 2 tablets (12.5 mg to 25 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 doses (150 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 2-5: Don’t give unless your child’s pediatrician gives you the OK and provides a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them prior to giving your child a dose.
Children under age 2: Do not use.
Benadryl side effects: Learn about common side effects from Benadryl (diphenhydramine), plus tips on how to manage them.
Countdown to symptom relief: How long does it take Benadryl to work? See how pharmacists answer this and other frequently asked questions about Benadryl.
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Oral Benadryl liquid
Liquid Benadryl contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine in every 5 mL of liquid. The dosing for children’s liquid Benadryl dosage is as follows:
Children ages 6-11: Give 5 mL to 10 mL (12.5 mg to 25 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 doses (150 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 2-5: Don’t give unless your child’s pediatrician gives you the OK and provides a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them prior to giving your child a dose.
Children under age 2: Do not use.
Oral Benadryl tablets or capsules
These are the same tablets or capsules that adults can take. They can be given to children, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
They’re meant to be swallowed, which may be difficult for children to do. And unlike the oral liquid or chewable tablets, they can’t be easily split into smaller doses. This is why healthcare professionals don’t typically recommend them for children younger than age 12.
The children’s dosage for Benadryl tablets and capsules is as follows:
Children ages 12 and older: Take 1 to 2 pills (25 mg to 50 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 doses (300 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 6-11: Take 1 pill (25 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 doses (150 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children under age 6: Do not use.
Are there any Benadryl dosage adjustments for certain people?
There are a few groups of people that should take Benadryl only after speaking with a healthcare professional. These include younger children, older adults, and those with certain health conditions.
Children under age 6
There may be times when children under age 6 need to treat allergy symptoms. But don’t give Benadryl to a child this young without their pediatrician’s OK.
For children older than 2 years, healthcare professionals may give a dose based on your child’s age, body weight, and symptoms. But for children younger than 2 years old, it’s usually safest to avoid OTC allergy medicines altogether.
Adults ages 65 and older
It’s recommended that people ages 65 and older avoid Benadryl if possible. This is because it can cause excessive dizziness and drowsiness for them. Taking Benadryl can also raise the risk of falls, which can be dangerous for older adults.
If a healthcare professional suggests you take Benadryl despite these risks, confirm the dosage they recommend for you.
People who have trouble urinating
Benadryl can cause problems urinating, especially in older adults. Being unable to completely empty your bladder (urinary retention) can raise the risk of developing urinary tract infections.
Talk to a healthcare professional before taking Benadryl if you have a history of urinary problems, an enlarged prostate, or incontinence. They may prefer that you avoid the medication.
What happens if you miss a dose of Benadryl?
If you miss a dose of Benadryl, don’t worry. It’s usually taken as needed. So, you can take your missed dose as soon as you remember.
If a healthcare professional wants you to take Benadryl regularly, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s close to time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take your next dose at its scheduled time.
Don’t try to make up for missed doses by taking two doses at once. Taking more Benadryl than recommended can cause excessive side effects.
What should you do if you take too much Benadryl?
Too much Benadryl can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Mild side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness. Severe symptoms may include seizures, an irregular heartbeat, or hallucinations. In some cases, too much Benadryl can be fatal. Young children are most at risk for a serious Benadryl overdose.
If you believe you’ve taken too much Benadryl or start to feel excessive side effects, contact a healthcare professional. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you’re experiencing any severe side effects, such as difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.
How to save on Benadryl
There are ways to save on Benadryl, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having a healthcare professional write a prescription for OTC Benadryl, GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price. At certain pharmacies, the price of 30 capsules of diphenhydramine 25 mg may be as low as $2.70 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
No, you shouldn’t take Benadryl and Zyrtec (cetirizine) together unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so. They’re both antihistamines and work similarly. Combining Benadryl and Zyrtec can raise your risk of side effects without any added benefit.
Benadryl is typically considered safe to take while pregnant. But you may be more prone to certain Benadryl side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness. There may be other allergy medications that have a lower risk of side effects. Speak to your prenatal care team about the best allergy medication for you during pregnancy before you take Benadryl.
Taking Benadryl occasionally or for short periods of time is typically considered safe while breastfeeding. But you should know that Benadryl passes into breast milk. This may cause your baby to be drowsy after breastfeeding. But Benadryl isn’t known to cause any serious or long-term complications for infants who were exposed to it while nursing.
No, you shouldn’t take Benadryl and Zyrtec (cetirizine) together unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so. They’re both antihistamines and work similarly. Combining Benadryl and Zyrtec can raise your risk of side effects without any added benefit.
Benadryl is typically considered safe to take while pregnant. But you may be more prone to certain Benadryl side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness. There may be other allergy medications that have a lower risk of side effects. Speak to your prenatal care team about the best allergy medication for you during pregnancy before you take Benadryl.
Taking Benadryl occasionally or for short periods of time is typically considered safe while breastfeeding. But you should know that Benadryl passes into breast milk. This may cause your baby to be drowsy after breastfeeding. But Benadryl isn’t known to cause any serious or long-term complications for infants who were exposed to it while nursing.
The bottom line
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that can treat allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing. It’s generally considered safe for most adults and children ages 6 and older. Doses are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Adults ages 65 and older and caregivers of children under age 6 should speak with a healthcare professional before taking Benadryl. Contact emergency services if you or someone else is having a serious side effect to Benadryl, including an irregular heartbeat, seizures, or trouble breathing.
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References
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Kenvue Brands. (2025). Benadryl- diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Definition and facts of urinary retention. National Institutes of Health.
Sicari, V., et al. (2025). Diphenhydramine. StatPearls.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
