Posted by King Vultan on May 19, 2004, at 12:08:55
In reply to Diphenhydramine HCI - how safe for long term use?, posted by beatrix34 on May 19, 2004, at 11:28:16
> Does anyone know whether it is safe to be taking 50mg of Diphenhydramine a night? I have been taking it for a week now and it seems to be helping me sleep through my Effexor induced insomnia, but I don't want to continue to take it if it is going to cause me any problems in the long term. Does anyone have any info? I have chcecked the net but haven't been able to find any answers.
I take the same quantity per night (and may have been the one who suggested it to you, for all I know) and don't believe it is of great concern. To put it in perspective, this is a pretty innocuous OTC med compared to many prescription drugs that people take every day--it is probably at least 10 times less problematic than Effexor, for instance. The only thing I might suggest is to make sure to practice good oral hygiene, as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is anticholinergic, and dry mouth is a common side effect. The reduction in saliva can increase the risk of tooth decay and perhaps gingivitis also. I make sure to brush my teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day.Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:348567
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040515/msgs/348584.html