On this page · 9 sections
- What is Children's Allergy Relief?
- How should I take Children's Allergy Relief?
- Warnings
- Before taking this medicine
- Children's Allergy Relief side effects
- What happens if I miss a dose?
- What happens if I overdose?
- What other drugs will affect Children's Allergy Relief?
- Common questions about diphenhydramine
Children's Allergy Relief
Generic name: diphenhydramine
Brand names: Allergy (Diphenhydramine HCl), Allergy Relief (Diphenhydramine HCl), Banophen, Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy, Benadryl Children's Allergy, Benadryl Children's Allergy Fastmelt, Benadryl Children's Dye Free, Benadryl DF, Benadryl Dye Free Allergy, Benadryl Fastmelt, Benadryl Ultratab, Children's Allergy, Children's Allergy Relief, Childrens Dye-Free Allergy Relief, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Diphedryl, Diphenhist, Dormin, Geri-Dryl
What is Children's Allergy Relief?
Children's Allergy Relief is an antihistamine that helps with sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.
Children's Allergy Relief is also used to help with motion sickness, to help induce sleep, and to treat some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This sleep aid medicine is not for use in 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 Relief may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
How should I take Children's Allergy Relief?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Children's Allergy Relief is only for short-term use until your symptoms go away.
Taking too much Children's Allergy Relief can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.
Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Children's Allergy Relief to a child. Do not use the medicine just to make a child sleepy. Death can occur from the misuse of antihistamines in very young children.
For motion sickness, take Children's Allergy Relief 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 Relief 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 Relief does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
Do not use Children's Allergy Relief for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.
Children's Allergy Relief can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Children's Allergy Relief.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Warnings
Use Children's Allergy Relief exactly as directed. Taking too much Children's Allergy Relief can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.
Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Children's Allergy Relief sleep aid is not for children younger than 12 years old.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Children's Allergy Relief if you are allergic to it.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:
- an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or another breathing issue;
- glaucoma; or
- a thyroid problem.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Children's Allergy Relief may slow down breast milk production.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Children's Allergy Relief side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Children's Allergy Relief and call your doctor right away 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 Relief may include:
- drowsiness;
- dry eyes, blurred vision;
- dry mouth, nose, or throat;
- decreased urination;
- constipation;
- feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
- day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time 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.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Children's Allergy Relief is taken as needed, you might not have a regular 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.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much diphenhydramine can be deadly.
Symptoms of an overdose may include vomiting, confusion, extreme sleepiness, ringing in your ears, not urinating, very dry eyes and mouth, enlarged pupils, rapid heartbeats, shaking, restlessness, hallucinations, or seizures.
Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how Children's Allergy Relief will affect you. Your reactions might be affected.
Drinking alcohol can make some side effects of diphenhydramine worse.
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may have Children's Allergy Relief in it. This includes medicines for sleep, cold/allergy symptoms, or anti-itch creams. Taking too much of this medicine can lead to a fatal overdose.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What other drugs will affect Children's Allergy Relief?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Children's Allergy Relief with any other medicines, especially those that can cause drowsiness (such as 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 discontinue. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.