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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 2:45:58
I have used benadryl the last couple nights for sleep. It works good. Just 25mg. (and the label says the max dose is 300mg/day? Yikes. Talk about sedation) But silly me, I like to know all I can about drugs I take. I haven't done exhaustive hunting, but in some basic searches I haven't found much information on what benadryl does. Some basic things such as antihistimine, helpful for parkinsons, over the counter serotonin reuptake inhibtor.
Does anyone have more detailed knowledge of benadryl? For example, is it an SSRI? And if so, is it a weak one or a strong one? Does it affect dopamine? Norepinephrine? Choline? Other?
Posted by med_empowered on January 7, 2007, at 9:18:30
In reply to Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 2:45:58
I think its an anti-cholinergic, which makes it useful for acute neuroleptic-induced dystonias and maybe marginally effective for neuroleptic induced akathisia. It does have SRI properties; if I remember correctly, prozac was somehow derived from Benadryl. I could be wrong about that, though...
Some docs report an occasional patient getting better on Benadryl, but not on standard issue SRIs. I think alot of that would be active placebo (the massive tiredness would certainly convince me that I was taking "real medicine".)
Good luck.
Posted by laima on January 7, 2007, at 10:26:01
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by med_empowered on January 7, 2007, at 9:18:30
This makes sense and is intriguing- there is a link between depression and allergies/inflamation. I am thinking to get some benedryl myself, as my best month last year was August- when I was using lots of benedryl for allergies. I wonder if it was actually helping my mood? I'm just unsure about how I feel about taking yet another drug long-term, and want to be sure it still works by the time summer returns.> Some docs report an occasional patient getting better on Benadryl, but not on standard issue SRIs. I think alot of that would be active placebo (the massive tiredness would certainly convince me that I was taking "real medicine".)
Posted by cgd092 on January 7, 2007, at 10:43:29
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by laima on January 7, 2007, at 10:26:01
If you want a downer, I think it's better to pop Benadryl than drink alcohol.
Posted by laima on January 7, 2007, at 11:46:47
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by cgd092 on January 7, 2007, at 10:43:29
I didn't get any "downer" effect- I felt quite clear and lively.
Benedryl doesn't put me to sleep, either. If anything, it tends to give me some insomnia.> If you want a downer, I think it's better to pop Benadryl than drink alcohol.
Posted by linkadge on January 7, 2007, at 11:52:28
In reply to Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 2:45:58
>For example, is it an SSRI?
Diphenhydramine is a weak SNRI. Another OTC anthistamine Chlorpheniramine also an SNRI. The first marketed SSRI zimeledine was derived from chlorpheniramine.
The mood altering effects of benydrly may also be rated to its the acetycholine muscarinic blockade.
It might also reduce REM sleep on account of its SSRI, and anticholinergic properties.
More info at:
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/full/61/5/591
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2007, at 12:10:21
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) » cgd092, posted by laima on January 7, 2007, at 11:46:47
Same here makes me tired but no sleep I took it for bee stings once. Love Phillipa
Posted by notfred on January 7, 2007, at 12:33:34
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by linkadge on January 7, 2007, at 11:52:28
> The mood altering effects of benydrly may also be rated to its the acetycholine muscarinic blockade.
>
> It might also reduce REM sleep on account of its SSRI, and anticholinergic properties.
>
Benadryl has negative effects on memory and is not a good long term sleep aid.
Posted by notfred on January 7, 2007, at 12:38:38
In reply to Tell Me About Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), posted by blueberry1 on January 7, 2007, at 2:45:58
http://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/benadryl.htm
Diphenhydramine is a first generation antihistamine drug, and like many other members of that group, is also a potent anticholinergic agent. This leads to drowsiness as a very common side-effect, with other side-effects possible, including sedation, motor impairment, dry mouth and throat, flushed skin, rapid or irregular heartbeat (tachycardia), blurred vision at nearpoint due to lack of accommodation (cycloplegia), abnormal sensitivity to bright light (photophobia), urinary retention, constipation, difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss, visual disturbances, hallucinations, confusion, and delirium.
This is the end of the thread.
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