Benadryl Dosages: How Much Benadryl Kids and Adults Can Take

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 released by the body 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 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 your healthcare provider, confirm the dosage they want you to follow.

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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 12 years and older can take the adult dose of Benadryl. OTC packages typically have dosage information on them for children ages 6 years 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 years 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 to 11 years old: 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 under 2 to 5 years old: Don’t give unless your child’s healthcare provider gives you the OK and provides a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them.

• Children under 2 years old: Do not use.

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 to 11 years old: 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 under 2 to 5 years old: Don’t give unless your child’s healthcare provider gives you the OK and provides a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them.

• Children under 2 years old: Do not use.

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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 providers don’t typically recommend them for children younger than 12 years old.

The children’s dosage for Benadryl tablets and capsules is as follows:

• Children ages 12 years 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 to 11 years old: 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 6 years old: Do not use.

Are there any dosage adjustments for certain people?

There are a few groups of people that should take Benadryl only after speaking with a healthcare provider. These include younger children, older adults, and those with certain health conditions.

Children under 6 years old

There may be times when children under 6 years old need to treat allergy symptoms. But don’t give Benadryl to a child this young without their healthcare provider’s OK.

For children older than 2 years, healthcare providers 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 provider 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 can raise the risk of developing urinary tract infections.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking Benadryl if you have a history of urinary problems, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 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 your healthcare provider 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 your healthcare provider. 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 many ways to save on Benadryl, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC Benadryl, GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price. Generic Benadryl at certain pharmacies can be as low as $1.20 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Kristine Foley, PharmD

Kristine Foley is a licensed pharmacist with over 13 years of community pharmacy experience. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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