Diphenhydramine's potential link to insomnia: crucial facts to consider
Diphenhydramine, a common antihistamine found in over-the-counter medications, is often used for its sedating properties to help with sleep. However, it's important to be aware of its potential side effects, including those that might lead to insomnia.
While diphenhydramine is known for causing drowsiness and sedation, in some rare cases, it can paradoxically stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), leading to symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, or, rarely, insomnia. This paradoxical effect is unpredictable and occurs more frequently in older adults, people using other drugs that cause drowsiness or depress the CNS, and ultrarapid metabolizers, who metabolize diphenhydramine quickly.
It's essential to note that true diphenhydramine-induced insomnia from CNS stimulation is uncommon. The typical clinical expectation is sedation, not insomnia. Symptoms connected to CNS stimulation from diphenhydramine in rare cases include nervousness, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and even hallucinations, especially in cases of overdose.
In the event of a diphenhydramine overdose, immediate help should be sought. It's also not recommended to take diphenhydramine long term, as it can cause toxicity at high doses. If a person does not know why they have insomnia, a doctor may have difficulty identifying the best treatment, and diphenhydramine may not work.
For those seeking natural remedies, options like melatonin, valerian, magnolia, and rosemary may potentially help with insomnia. However, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
In conclusion, while diphenhydramine stimulation of the CNS can lead to insomnia in a minority of users with paradoxical reactions, it does not often cause insomnia but rather sedation is the usual outcome. If you experience any unusual symptoms after taking diphenhydramine, it's crucial to speak with a doctor.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Diphenhydramine. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/diphenhydramine/description/drg-20074387 [2] RxList. (2021). Diphenhydramine. https://www.rxlist.com/diphenhydramine-drug.htm [3] MedlinePlus. (2021). Diphenhydramine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682106.html [4] National Sleep Foundation. (2021). Insomnia. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia [5] WebMD. (2021). Diphenhydramine. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1115/benadryl-oral/details
- Despite diphenhydramine's frequent association with promoting sleep, it can, in rare instances, lead to insomnia due to its paradoxical effect on the central nervous system (CNS), which could result in nervousness, restlessness, or other sleep disturbances.
- Tackling sleep problems may involve exploring various health-and-wellness and mental-health therapies-and-treatments, such as natural remedies like melatonin, valerian, magnolia, and rosemary, but it's always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially when experiencing insomnia.
- When using over-the-counter medications containing diphenhydramine, it is essential to understand that while it primarily causes drowsiness and sedation, a few users may exhibit paradoxical reactions leading to insomnia, particularly older adults, people using other drugs that cause drowsiness or depress the CNS, and individuals with rapid metabolism, but such instances are uncommon.
