Is too much benadryl bad for your liver

Q: What is an unhealthy amount of Benadryl?

Oral Benadryl products shouldnt be taken more than 6 times each day. For adults and children over 12 years of age, the maximum is 300 mg each day. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is 150 mg each day.

Benadryl overdose; Sominex overdose; Nytol overdose

Table of Contents Show

Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
Before Calling Emergency
Poison Control
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
Outlook (Prognosis)
References
Version Info
Can Benadryl cause organ damage?
What is an unhealthy amount of Benadryl?
What happens if you take too much Benadryl everyday?
What organ is Benadryl bad for?

Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It is used in some allergy and sleep medicines.

Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an overdose, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Diphenhydramine can be harmful in large amounts.

Where Found

Diphenhydramine may be found in many medicines, including those with these brand names:

Benadryl
Nytol
Sominex
Tylenol PM

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of a diphenhydramine overdose in different parts of the body.

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

Inability to urinate

EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROAT

Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Enlarged pupils
Very dry eyes
Ringing in the ears

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

Low blood pressure
Rapid heartbeat

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Agitation
Confusion
Seizures
Delirium
Depression
Drowsiness
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
Increased sleepiness
Nervousness
Tremor
Unsteadiness

SKIN

Dry, red skin

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

Nausea
Vomiting

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

Person's age, weight, and condition (for example, is the person awake or alert?)
Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Call for help even if you don't have this information.

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Tests that may done include:

Blood and urine tests
Chest x-ray
ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)

Treatment may include:

Fluids through a vein (by IV)
Medicines to treat symptoms or reverse the effects of the overdose
Activated charcoal
Laxative
Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Recovery is likely if the person survives the first 24 hours. Complications such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a long period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen may result in permanent disability.

Few people actually die from an antihistamine overdose. However, serious heart rhythm disturbances may occur, which can cause death.

Keep all medicines in child-proof bottles and out of reach of children.

References

Aronson JK. Anticholinergic drugs. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:534-539.

Eiwegger T, Simons FER, Akdis CA. Histamine and antihistamines. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al. eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 92.

Monte AA, Hoppe JA. Anticholinergics. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 145.

Version Info

Last reviewed on: 11/13/2021

Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Can Benadryl cause organ damage?

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can be caused by a commonly used over-the-counter and prescription medication, diphenhydramine (Benadryl, McNeil).

What is an unhealthy amount of Benadryl?

Oral Benadryl products shouldn't be taken more than 6 times each day. For adults and children over 12 years of age, the maximum is 300 mg each day. For children ages 6 to 12 years, the maximum is 150 mg each day.

What happens if you take too much Benadryl everyday?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

What organ is Benadryl bad for?

Antihistamines (applies to Benadryl) renal/liver disease Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from antihistamines due to drug and metabolite accumulation. Therapy with antihistamines should be administered cautiously in such patients.