Say “NO” to Benadryl for the management of seasonal allergies!

Did you know? ✈️ Pilots cannot fly for 60 hours after taking Benadryl.

🧠 It causes significant cognitive impairment and sedative effects, yet parents and doctors frequently give it to infants and children of all ages for everything from sneezing and sniffles to help with sleep.

😵‍💫 Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can cause lingering confusion and impairment of motor skills even after the initial effects have worn off. If pilots are not allowed to fly for 60 hours after taking it, how can you expect your child to perform in school or sports?

It can even cause seizures or cardiac arrythmias in young or sensitive children… it’s just not worth it when there are many other, better options nowadays.

And the negative cognitive effects are not just temporary either, unfortunately…

⚠️ Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl and many other products like Tylenol PM, Simply Sleep, Unisom, ZzzQuil, Simply Right Sleep Aid, and Equate Nighttime Sleep Aid can lead to serious health problems, including dementia, later on down the line.

Diphenhydramine is considered to be in two classes of drugs: antihistamines and anticholinergics. Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms such as rashes, runny noses, and sneezing. Anticholinergic drugs are used for a wider variety of conditions including incontinence, sleep problems, and motion sickness.

🔍 A 2015 study, led by a researcher from the University of Washington, found that people who take Benadryl regularly are more likely to develop dementia as they age. The study also found that the more frequently a person took these medications, the more likely they were to develop the condition.

😰 Think about the long term effects if we begin dosing in childhood and continue use of this drug throughout adulthood…

💊 People tend to think that over-the-counter drugs are safer since they are more readily available, but this isn’t necessarily true because these drugs are not often tested for long-term effects over a long enough period of time before they are sold.

🩺 Play it safe and avoid these drugs except in cases of true emergency. If you or your child have allergies, trouble sleeping, motion sickness, incontinence or other health concerns where these drugs are commonly recommended, there are safer ways of coping than loading up on antihistamines and anticholinergics. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have concerns or questions.

If you’d like more info on Sublingual Immunotherapy, we have a whole post about that, too! >>  Check it out!