Does Benadryl Make You Sleepy?

Can Benadryl Help You Sleep?

Benadryl makes people sleepy because it blocks a molecule in the body called histamine. Histamine helps the body fight off germs, but it also causes the unpleasant swelling, itchiness, and runny nose associated with an allergic reaction. Histamine is also involved in keeping people awake during the day, so when Benadryl blocks the effect of histamine, it leads to sleepiness. 

People often use Benadryl to help them fall asleep, as antihistamines can be effective and are easily available over the counter. However, doctors caution against overusing antihistamines like Benadryl for insomnia or other sleep issues, and they especially warn against its use by older adults Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

What Are the Downsides to Using Benadryl for Sleep?

Even though Benadryl can help people fall asleep, it may not be the best choice of a sleep aid. Diphenhydramine can have side effects, including nervousness, dry nose, mouth, and throat, dizziness, headache, nausea, and loss of appetite.

In addition to these side effects, several other downsides of taking Benadryl are important to keep in mind.

• Reduced sleep quality: Benadryl may make people sleepy, but studies have not found evidence that it improves sleep quality. In fact, it may even decrease the quality Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source of a person’s sleep.
• Loss of effectiveness: Research has shown that the more someone takes Benadryl to help them sleep, the less effective it becomes. One study even found that, after only four days of taking diphenhydramine for sleep, it became no more effective than a placebo Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .
• Daytime sleepiness: The drowsiness that Benadryl causes may help people fall asleep, but it also continues after they wake up the next day.
• Slowed reaction time: Benadryl can slow the brain’s responses, affecting motor skills and reaction time, which can persist into the following day Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Parents and guardians should not give Benadryl to school-aged and younger children without first talking to a doctor. In some cases, children who have taken Benadryl have experienced serious side effects. 

Similarly, adults over the age of 65 should talk to their doctors before taking Benadryl for sleep. In older adults, Benadryl is more likely to cause side effects Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source like dry mouth and eyes, trouble urinating, and confusion. It may also increase the risk of falling. 

Other Ways to Get Quality Sleep

If you want to avoid the downsides of taking Benadryl for sleep, or your doctor has cautioned against it, other approaches may help you get better sleep.

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

You can make many changes in your daily life that can improve your sleep hygiene and help you sleep better at night.

• Stay consistent: Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on the weekends. 
• Limit caffeine: Caffeine can continue to affect the body for up to eight hours. Limiting your caffeine use to the mornings can ensure that it is out of your system by bedtime.
• Exercise: Getting physical activity is a proven way to improve sleep. But avoid exercising within a few hours of bedtime.
• Avoid alcohol: Although alcohol might help you fall asleep, it can lead to poorer quality sleep overall.
• Dim the lights: Around an hour before bedtime, limit exposure to artificial lights, including your cell phone and TV.

Sleep Aids

A variety of sleep aids are available both over the counter and by prescription. Although doctors typically recommend starting with lifestyle changes for sleep issues, sleep aids may be helpful when combined with better sleep hygiene. If you are considering using sleep aids to fall asleep, your doctor can help find the right one for you.

When to See a Doctor

If you consistently find it hard to fall asleep or if a lack of sleep starts to affect your daily activities, talk to your doctor. A doctor can assess your sleep issues and help determine what might be causing them.