Change can be hard to understand or accept. Yes, one of the main side effects is sedation. This can make children very drowsy, to the point of falling asleep. In addition, sedation can cause lingering confusion and significantly impair gross motor and even affect learning abilities. This can be a big problem when it comes to school performance. The only way to know if your child will react this way is by giving it to them.
Not really. If your child is having difficulty sleeping, it is very important to discuss possible reasons with their doctor. If your child is itching so much from eczema or other causes, then antihistamines may be helpful to calm this down so they can rest, but we can still use 2 nd generation options instead of older medications. Not at all. This can create problems not only in the eyes, nose and throat but throughout the rest of the body as well.
It can also cause adverse side effects on your cognition, breathing, and has been associated with coma and death. Unfortunately, Benadryl is still commonly recommended and used today, likely because it has been around for so long and has strong brand recognition. Shortly after Benadryl became available, the adverse effect profile became known.
Benadryl has poor specificity for its targets, and can therefore affect many different body systems. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which is why it is known to cause such significant sedation. While you will likely fall asleep if you take Benadryl, it does not lead to quality sleep. Children who take Benadryl have been shown to experience poor school performance. There have also been injuries and fatalities reported with car, plane, and boating accidents due to impairment.
Luckily, we have newer second and third-generation antihistamines that have been available since the s and can also be found over-the-counter. These medications include loratadine Claritin , cetirizine Zyrtec , fexofenadine Allegra , and levocetirizine Xyzal. Never combine an over-the-counter medication with prescription medication for anxiety without the advice of your doctor, as there is the possibility of medication interaction and negative side effects. A study of German pharmacists determined that people seeking over-the-counter treatments for anxiety and depression:.
However, the researchers questioned whether OTC treatments were a logical or cost-effective solution to these problems. Most people purchasing over-the-counter treatments for anxiety would likely benefit from professional help in the form of talk therapy or prescribed medication. The exception might be for cases of very mild anxiety that seem to be helped by herbal remedies that offer relaxation at bedtime.
Though some doctors may recommend OTC medications like Benadryl for children and adolescents, it's especially important not to give a child Benadryl to treat anxiety without consulting their doctor first. Diphenhydramine can be dangerous for young children, and may not be the best course of treatment for your child's symptoms.
While it may seem like a quick and easy solution to run to the drugstore and pick up an antihistamine or painkiller to take the edge off when your anxiety symptoms worsen, there are risks associated with using OTC medications, particularly when using them off label for symptoms they are not intended to treat. Be sure to discuss your symptoms and any OTC treatment options you're considering with your doctor or mental health professional.
It's always best to get guidance from your provider about using OTC medications and herbal supplements before starting a new treatment to ensure you get the right treatment for you.
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Over-the-counter-drugs for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders--the views of German pharmacists. Oral sedation: A primer on anxiolysis for the adult patient. Anesth Prog. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. OTC Medications for Anxiety. Pros and Cons. Supplementing Other Treatments. Pros Risk of dependence and withdrawal is less than for prescription sedatives May aid sleep and relaxation Easy and inexpensive to obtain Potentially useful for short-term episodes of anxiety Potentially useful if you are against taking traditional medications for anxiety May be helpful to supplement other treatments such as psychotherapy.
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