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December 28, 2008 04:29 AM
Would it be bad if I did this?
So, I was wondering if it would be bad to take Benedryl (antihistamine) and then 1 hour later take Unisom sleep aid.
Because I'm taking benedryl for allergies, and the Unisom so I can sleep.
Is this a bad mixture? Should I not do this?
Because I'm taking benedryl for allergies, and the Unisom so I can sleep.
Is this a bad mixture? Should I not do this?
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December 28, 2008 04:38 AM
I wouldn't recommend it! It is dangerous to mix chemicals in your body. But if you are required to use Benedryl for allergies, than try to take it LONG before you are needing to go to bed. Also, because Unisom is over the counter it wouldn't be required that you take it. I would strongly recommend that you don't do it. I know...try working out or something and than a hot shower, and relax your muscles before going to bed to see if that helps.
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December 28, 2008 05:28 AM
Yes its bad. Take _only_ the Benedryl or the Unisom, NOT both. As mentioned they will both cause drowsiness. In fact, depending upon which type of Unisom it is, you may be taking a double dose of Diphenhydramine if you take both. Unisom comes with two different possible active ingredients. They are both antihistamines and one is the same as Benedryl. Look at the active ingredient on the Unisom package. It may be Doxylamine or Diphenhydramine. If it is Doxylamine then that is a different medicine but still an antihistamine and sedative so it might help you sleep _and_ help your allergies. Also compare the dosage listed on the package for Unisom to the dosage on the Benedryl.
I would say skip the Benedryl for one night and take just the Unisom and see if that has any control over your allergies. Although if they are both the same dosage of Diphenhydramine then it won't matter. And as soon as you have a chance go see the doctor. If the Unisom actually controls your allergies and puts you to sleep the doctor might be okay with using just that on occasions where you have insomnia. The doctor might also give you an ok to take both but I doubt it.
If you have insomnia on a consistent basis you might need a prescription sleep aid (which would not be an antihistamine). Not sure how safe it is to take Unisom consistently and it definitely says not to do that.
Also, not to make it too complicated but if somehow it works out that you really need to take Unisom because that puts you to sleep _plus_ some kind of allergy relief then ask your doctor about taking Unisom with Zyrtec over the counter (_not_ Zyrtec-D) because its an antihistamine that causes much less drowsiness and so might be safer to take with Unisom.
Also, just a disclaimer (because I know someone else will probably point this out) I am not a doctor or pharmacist and we can't rely on Wikipedia or some other site to make decisions about this. Of course you need to discuss it with your doctor. However it cannot hurt to _try_ to make that a slightly more informed discussion.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unisom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doxylamine (Unisom possible active ingredient)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphenhydramine (Benedryl & Unisom other possible active ingredient)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
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December 28, 2008 06:52 AM
Actually they would say not to take one with the other in their boxes. If they don't say you can't take both, then go ahead. Keep in mind it will probably really zonk you out. Good luck waking up in less than 10 hours!! You'll be fine though, as long as you don't overdose.
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ilaksh
December 28, 2008 07:39 AM
Please read my answer. Unisom comes in two types one of which has the same active ingredient as Benadryl. While I don't really believe its dangerous to take two doses of Benadryl, I also doubt you would have given the same answer if you were aware of that.
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December 28, 2008 07:53 AM
- Fact Refuted
All medications do not and can not list all of their contraindications on the box. Given that someone would have to be an idiot to take medical advice from random internet strangers, it's a little scary that you don't realize this.
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December 28, 2008 09:52 PM
Offthedome: are you a doctor? We really shouldn't be giving advice like this unless you are.
The right advice when someone asks a question like this on Mahalo Answer is: talk to a doctor.
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The right advice when someone asks a question like this on Mahalo Answer is: talk to a doctor.
December 28, 2008 07:43 AM
Please read my answer. Unisom comes in two types, one of which has the same active ingredient as Benadryl. While I don't believe its really dangerous to take two doses of Benadryl, I also doubt you would have given quite the same answer if you were aware of that.
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December 28, 2008 06:58 PM
In general, this is a bad idea. As has been pointed out, Unisom and Benadryl are both antihistamines, and adding them together can produce excessive drowsiness, including daytime drowsiness the next day, when you will probably need to function to some degree.
One of the questions you need to ask yourself is why you're not sleeping.
Check out www.sleepfoundation.org, where they have some sleep tips for you to try. They sound simple-quiet, dark bedroom-and easier said than done-reduce stress-but they are effective and drug free.
Believe me, I am in no way a poster child for sleep hygeine-I could use some of those tips myself-and I am not suggesting you can just decide to sleep better. But trying to solve the root of the issue is a better idea than simply trying to medicate it away.
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December 28, 2008 09:49 PM
As the warning says on health issues, you really should not ask drug related questions like this on Mahalo. You will not get professional advice like this on the internet.... you have to go to a doctor. Again, go to a doctor.
Did I mention to ask a doctor?
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December 28, 2008 11:00 PM
Well, check the active ingredient in unisom - there are two preparations (as far as I know) and in one the active ingredient is dipenhydramine - this is also the active ingredient in Benadryl, so you're basically just taking more benadryl (which is a fine antihistamine, but also causes sleepiness in many people and is commonly used for that purpose as well). So I would watch the dose, and if you do get sleepy with Benadryl, you may not even need the unisom.
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