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TAMPA – Health experts are raising new concerns over how often Americans reach for over-the-counter medications like Benadryl, saying the drug\u2019s main ingredient — diphenhydramine — is outdated and overused.<\/p>\n
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Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine often used to treat allergies and aid sleep, but physicians say its side effects can be more dangerous than people realize — especially when overused or taken long-term.<\/p>\n
What they’re saying:<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s just so overly used,” said Dr. Saleh Hassan, an ER physician with Orlando Health Bayfront in St. Petersburg. “People forget that these medicines have side effects.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Hassan says accidental overdoses are common, especially when people don\u2019t realize that diphenhydramine is also included in nighttime cold and sleep aid products.<\/p>\n
He notes the drug can cause:<\/p>\n
Excessive sedationCognitive decline (including long-term use dementia links)Heart problemsPoor sleep qualityRare — but potentially fatal — complications in older adults <\/p>\n
The other side:<\/p>\n
Not all doctors believe diphenhydramine should be pulled from store shelves.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay physician Dr. Fadi Saba says better education, not tighter regulation, is the answer.<\/p>\n
“People need to be more educated about when to use these medications, how to use them, and what side effects to expect,” Dr. Saba said.<\/p>\n
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He points to newer allergy medications like Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec as safer alternatives with fewer sedative effects.<\/p>\n
READ: Free study in Florida aims to calm dogs\u2019 storm anxiety<\/a><\/p>\n What’s next:<\/p>\n The FDA has not moved to restrict diphenhydramine, and Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Benadryl, has not responded to recent criticism. The company does recommend not exceeding 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours, and warns against off-label use for sleep.<\/p>\n Physicians recommend speaking with a doctor before starting or continuing regular use — especially for sleep or long-term allergy relief.<\/p>\n