You should not use Benadryl to make a child sleepy.
When taking Benadryl, use caution driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Diphenhydramine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benadryl.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Benadryl if you are allergic to diphenhydramine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:
blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
a colostomy or ileostomy;
liver or kidney disease;
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;
heart disease, low blood pressure;
glaucoma;
a thyroid disorder; or
if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).
It is not known whether Benadryl will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
Diphenhydramine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
