Sleepinal

Sleepinal is an antihistamine that helps with sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Sleepinal is also used to help with motion sickness, to help you 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 mentioned in this leaflet.

Sleepinal may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Sleepinal is only for short-term use until your symptoms improve.

Taking too much Sleepinal can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Always follow the instructions on the medicine label about giving Sleepinal to a child. Do not use this medicine just to make a child sleepy. Death can happen from the misuse of antihistamines in very young children.

For motion sickness, take Sleepinal 30 minutes before you expect to be in a situation that causes it (like a long car ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc). Keep 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 Sleepinal within 30 minutes before bedtime.

You must chew the chewable tablet before swallowing 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 it. Place the tablet in your mouth and let it dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

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

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

Sleepinal can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Inform any doctor who treats you that you are using Sleepinal.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use Sleepinal exactly as directed. Taking too much Sleepinal can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Sleepinal sleep aid medicine is not for use in children younger than 12 years old.

You should not use Sleepinal 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 any other breathing issue;
• glaucoma; or
• a thyroid disorder.

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

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

Sleepinal may cause serious side effects. Stop using Sleepinal 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 Sleepinal 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 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.

Since Sleepinal is taken as needed, you might not follow a regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it's close to the time for your next one, 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 deadly.

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

Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how Sleepinal will affect you. Your reactions might be affected.

Drinking alcohol can worsen some side effects of diphenhydramine.

Check with a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that might contain Sleepinal. This includes medicines for sleep, cold or allergy symptoms, or anti-itch creams. Taking too much of this medicine may cause a fatal overdose.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Sleepinal 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 the medicines you are currently taking 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.