Children's Allergy

Children's Allergy is an antihistamine that helps relieve sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms from colds or allergies.

Children's Allergy is also used to help with motion sickness, to help induce sleep, and to treat some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This sleep aid is not for children younger than 12 years old.

There are many brands and forms of diphenhydramine available. Not all brands are included in this leaflet.

Children's Allergy may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Children's Allergy is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

Taking too much Children's Allergy can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Children's Allergy to a child. Do not use the medicine only to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of antihistamines in very young children.

For motion sickness, take Children's Allergy 30 minutes before you will be in a situation that causes you motion sickness (such as a long car ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc). Continue taking this medicine with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the time you will be in a motion-sickness situation.

As a sleep aid, take Children's Allergy within 30 minutes before bedtime.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with Children's Allergy does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

Do not use Children's Allergy for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

Children's Allergy can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Children's Allergy.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use Children's Allergy exactly as directed. Taking too much Children's Allergy can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Children's Allergy sleep aid medicine is not for children younger than 12 years old.

You should not use Children's Allergy if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe for you if you have ever had:

• an enlarged prostate or problems urinating;
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or another breathing issue;
• glaucoma; or
• a thyroid condition.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Children's Allergy may slow down breast milk production.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Children's Allergy and call your doctor immediately if you have:

• severe drowsiness; or
• painful or difficult urination.

Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may happen more often in older adults.

Common side effects of Children's Allergy may include:

• drowsiness;
• dry eyes, blurred vision;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• decreased urination;
• constipation;
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
• daytime drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after nighttime use.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since Children's Allergy is taken as needed, you might not follow a dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much diphenhydramine can be fatal.

Signs of an overdose may include vomiting, confusion, severe drowsiness, ringing in your ears, not being able to urinate, very dry eyes and mouth, dilated pupils, fast heartbeats, tremors, agitation, hallucinations, or seizures.

Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you know how Children's Allergy will affect you. Your reactions may be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can make some side effects of diphenhydramine worse.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain Children's Allergy. This includes medicines for sleep, cold/allergy symptoms, or anti-itch creams. Taking too much of this medicine may result in a fatal overdose.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Children's Allergy with any other medicines, especially those that can cause drowsiness (like opioid medication, sleep medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you begin or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.