Understanding the Risks of Mixing Benadryl and Alcohol
How Does Diphenhydramine Affect the Central Nervous System?
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) affects the central nervous system (CNS) by crossing the blood-brain barrier and inhibiting histamine receptors.
Benadryl causes drowsiness and sedation and impairs psychomotor skills (e.g., driving, operating complex equipment). Many people do not know that mixing Benadryl with other CNS depressants like alcohol can cause severe and even life-threatening side effects.
Early intervention and treatment, psychoeducation, and tailored care programs can address side effects caused by using these substances. New Found Life treats alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the impact of other conditions using evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
People with a history of chronic alcohol abuse should be mindful of how they use over-the-counter medications like Benadryl.
Why Does Combining Alcohol and Antihistamines Increase Sedation?
Both alcohol and antihistamines like Benadryl act as sedatives, slowing reaction times and breathing.
Even a small amount of alcohol may interfere with the effects of over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Taking too much of either substance when mixing them can cause you to stop breathing or experience other adverse side effects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “To keep yourself safe and healthy, you should not drink alcohol when using other drugs.”
Mixing alcohol and Benadryl causes a quick-acting change to motor skills that directly affects coordination and reaction time. The immediate effects may include loss of balance, difficulty judging distance, confusion, and an inability to reliably judge distance or time.
The Dangers of CNS Depression and Extreme Drowsiness
How Is Respiratory Depression Connected to Life-Threatening Impairment?
Respiratory depression can reduce how much oxygen reaches the brain, leading to temporary or permanent side effects.
In addition, if breathing slows enough, it can cause you to fall into a coma or stop breathing entirely, leading to death.
Slowed respiration may reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, causing temporary or permanent cognitive impairment. Also, the depressed breathing slows your heart rate and lowers blood pressure to a dangerous degree.
You have an increased risk of falls, accidents, loss of consciousness, coma, and death if you mix Benadryl or other CNS depressants and alcohol.
Why Do Older Adults Face Higher Health Risks?
Older adults may have age-related health issues, medication side effects, a more difficult time absorbing alcohol, and an increased risk of severe side effects.
Seniors may also have an increased risk of accidentally mixing Benadryl or other medications with alcohol due to memory issues or lack of focus.
The effects of Benadryl and alcohol may become more pronounced for older adults, especially older people taking multiple medications. Part of the natural aging process involves changes in how the body metabolizes and breaks down substances.
Always consult with a medical professional before taking a new medication or substance to better understand how age-related health issues may impact side effects.
New Found Life educates people on the potential health risks of relapse and mixing substances. Older adults and their loved ones benefit from regular consultation with medical professionals during aftercare to ensure appropriate medication management.
Side Effects When Taking Benadryl With Alcohol
Can It Lead to Severe Drowsiness, Sleepiness, and Confusion?
Yes, Benadryl and alcohol taken together will cause drowsiness, slowed breathing, and confusion.
When mixing Benadryl and alcohol, some people may find it challenging to stay awake or experience significant confusion.
Mixing substances also slows reaction time and reduces coordination. If you mix Benadryl and alcohol, you will experience slowed reaction time and reduced coordination. Driving or doing other activities that require fine motor skills, focus, and coordination may lead to injury or even death.
Alcohol mixed with antihistamines may also cause dehydration, dizziness, and cardiovascular strain. Both alcohol and Benadryl may lower blood pressure to the point that it impacts the heart’s ability to function.
Alcohol Interacts With Allergy Medications
How Does Alcohol Affect Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)?
Both alcohol and Benadryl depress the central nervous system, and alcohol amplifies the sedative effect of diphenhydramine.
Some of the other over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines that interact with alcohol include:
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
- Claritin (Loratadine)
- Hydroxyzine
Other prescription antihistamines may increase your risk of injury, accident, illness, or death.
How Does Alcohol Affect OTC Sleep Aids and Combination Products (Runny Nose, Cough Syrups)?
Alcohol increases the effects of over-the-counter sleep aids and may cause life-threatening side effects.
People experiencing hay fever, other allergic reactions, or head colds may use over-the-counter medications to treat a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, or coughing. Brand-name cough syrup or allergy medications can cause the same dangerous side effects if mixed with alcohol.
Medical Risks Linked to Mixing Alcohol With Anticholinergic Drugs
Can Drinking Lead to Increased Confusion and Cognitive Impairment?
Yes. Alcohol affects multiple body systems, causing increased confusion and cognitive impairment.
Alcohol is toxic and interferes with many body systems. Consuming even a small amount of alcohol can cause cognitive and physical impairment.
Will I Get Worsening Mental Health Symptoms and Anxiety?
Chronic alcohol use, especially binge drinking or overdrinking, can lead to worsening mental health symptoms, including increased anxiety, depression, or panic.
Mental health symptoms may temporarily worsen during and after an episode of mixing substances as your body recovers. Therapy can help you cope with any changes and maintain emotional regulation.
In Severe Cases, Can Spinal Cord Effects, Blackouts, and Hospitalization Happen?
Yes. Antispasmodic medications mixed with alcohol can lead to blackouts, CNS problems, and health issues that require hospitalization.
The most severe cases may require extended hospitalization as the mind and body recover from the damage. Many people have died from mixing depressants like Benadryl with alcohol. Always be mindful of the substances you take and their possible interactions.
When to Seek Medical Attention
What Are the Signs of Dangerous CNS Depression?
Symptoms of dangerous CNS depression vary from mild to severe and include:
- Muscle weakness
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Shallow breathing or shortness of breath
- Slurred speech
- Reduced heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Irritation and restlessness
- Blurred, altered, or double vision
- Extreme confusion or memory loss
- Poor judgment
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Unusually clammy or cold skin
- Slowed reflexes
- Intense and uncharacteristic mood swings
Severe symptoms can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death. Call emergency services if you believe someone may have combined too many drugs or alcohol — every minute counts when breathing begins to slow, or a person becomes unresponsive.
What Are the Symptoms of Respiratory Distress or Loss of Consciousness?
Mixing an antihistamine and alcohol can cause respiratory distress or loss of consciousness, with symptoms including:
- Severe drowsiness
- Slowed breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Slowed heart rate
- Coma
If your breathing slows to 10 breaths or less per minute after mixing alcohol and Benadryl, seek help, as you may be on the verge of experiencing a medical emergency. The sedative effects can easily cause unnoticed respiratory distress if you fall asleep without getting help after noticing warning signs.
What Do Healthcare Providers Look for in Severe Reactions?
Some of the primary signs of a severe reaction looked for by a healthcare provider include:
- Respiratory distress
- Extreme sedation
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cognitive issues
- Impaired motor function
- CNS depression
Symptoms, side effects, and warning signs may manifest differently depending on the individual, making it vital for you to disclose to healthcare professionals if you have been mixing alcohol with any medications or other substances.
Alcohol Use, Misuse, and the Role of Treatment
How Does Alcohol Abuse Increase Medication Risks?
Alcohol changes how the body absorbs and metabolizes prescription or over-the-counter drugs, potentially causing mild to severe side effects and complications.
Age also impacts the effects of alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “People aged 65 and older are at particularly high risk for harm, due in part to age-related changes in their physiology and in part to their increasing use of medications that could interact with alcohol.”
Anyone taking medication should consult with a medical professional about their drinking habits to ensure they know how to avoid accidental complications or side effects of mixing substances.
Can Small Amounts of Alcohol Still Cause Harm?
Yes, drinking even a small amount of alcohol before or after taking an antihistamine can lead to deadly side effects, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, and illness.
Even a single drink of alcohol before or after taking antihistamines can lead to severe and even life-threatening side effects. For example, if someone takes Benadryl and drinks a glass of alcohol, then drives, their reaction time may slow too much to avoid an accident.
How Can I Support Individuals Struggling With Alcohol Use or Addiction?
If you have a loved one struggling with alcohol use disorder, you can help them by participating in the treatment process and offering practical support.
You can help loved ones and friends as they heal from addiction by being available to talk and offering practical support like transportation to appointments.
Addiction affects everyone within a family or social network, making it essential for everyone impacted to seek some form of support or education about how to manage any lingering feelings or trauma caused by the addiction. You may participate in family therapy to repair relationships or to provide additional support.
How Does New Found Life Help Clients and Loved Ones Seek Treatment?
Families and clients work with a healthcare professional and care team that educates them about AUD and what to expect at each stage of recovery.
Everyone deserves support during their healing journey. Anyone can contact New Found Life at anytime for information about treatment. The intake specialists and clinicians will gladly answer any questions to help individuals or their families navigate the process of finding the best treatment options.
Everyone deserves access to high-quality, compassionate care and support during recovery.
Outpatient and Residential Treatment Options at New Found Life
Do You Offer Detox and Withdrawal Support for Alcohol Use?
New Found Life offers detox referrals and withdrawal support to ensure a smooth transition to inpatient or outpatient treatment programs.
The clinical team offers medical advice, referrals to local detox programs, and case management. Clients attend external detoxification programs, then transfer to New Found Life for continued treatment in one of our residential or outpatient programs.
Do You Offer Evidence-Based Therapies for Substance Use and Mental Health?
We use a wide range of evidence-based therapies for treating substance use, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- 12-Step immersion
The care team collaborates closely with clients and their families to develop a tailored therapeutic approach.
Do You Provide Family Engagement and Education for Long-Term Recovery?
Yes! Our programs encourage families to support their loved ones by participating in family therapy, community events, and psychoeducation.
Family plays a vital role in the recovery process for many clients with AUD. The additional support, accountability, and encouragement help people adhere to treatment guidelines and reduce the risk of relapse during ongoing recovery.
What Does Your Aftercare Planning and Transition Support Look Like?
New Found Life provides comprehensive support, aftercare planning, and transitional living programs to facilitate clients’ reintegration into the community.
Clients and their families can access our ongoing alumni support services. In addition, we offer sober living programs and aftercare planning to support optimal treatment outcomes.
FAQs
Can you have one drink after taking Benadryl?
No. You should not drink any alcohol before or after taking Benadryl or other antihistamines.
Any amount of alcohol after taking Benadryl is too much alcohol. There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume after taking prescribed or over-the-counter drugs. If you do drink and take an antihistamine, you can contact a poison control center, hospital, clinic, or other medical professionals.
How long after drinking alcohol can you safely take antihistamines?
You should not take antihistamines until alcohol has completely left your system.
Due to variations in how long it takes for different people to process alcohol, it is safest to wait 24 hours.
You should not take medications until alcohol is entirely out of your system, and the opposite is also true. Any lingering traces of either substance can still cause excessive drowsiness and other dangerous side effects. People process alcohol and medications at different rates depending on age, gender, genetics, and other factors.
Consult with your primary care doctor or care team if you want to know more about when it is safe to take an antihistamine after drinking.
Are non-drowsy antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec safer with alcohol?
No. Non-drowsy antihistamines can still cause potentially dangerous side effects, including dizziness, confusion, and impaired judgment.
You should never drink before or after taking antihistamines. Everyone’s body reacts differently to mixing alcohol with drugs due to a wide range of factors, including age, health status, and genetics. Drinking and taking non-drowsy antihistamines may still cause side effects that lead to accidents, injuries, illness, or death.
What should older adults know about mixing alcohol and allergy medications?
Age-related changes cause the body to process alcohol at a slower rate, increasing the side effects of mixing Benadryl and alcohol.
Antihistamines may not effectively treat allergy symptoms if mixed with other substances such as alcohol or opioid drugs. The effects of alcohol change how the body interacts with the medication.
Is mixing Benadryl and alcohol a sign of underlying alcohol misuse?
Not necessarily. Some people may mix Benadryl or other antihistamines with alcohol accidentally or to self-medicate an issue such as sleep disturbances.
Although mixing these substances may not automatically mean a person has AUD, any instances of mixing these substances may cause severe health side effects and should be reported to a medical professional for assessment. A clinical evaluation can also diagnose if you have AUD or other forms of substance use disorder (SUD).
When should someone seek professional addiction treatment?
Anyone experiencing warning signs of dependence or addiction can seek help from a medical professional.
A few of the most common signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Inability to stop drinking alcohol despite repeated attempts
- Excessive thinking about acquiring and drinking alcohol
- Inability to stop drinking alcohol despite negative financial, social, or medical side effects
- Experiencing withdrawal side effects during periods of abstinence
Experts at New Found Life treat AUD and other forms of SUD using tailored treatment plans and comprehensive care.
Mixing Benadryl or other medications with alcohol can cause mild to severe side effects. New Found Life treats alcohol use disorder and educates people about the dangers of mixing alcohol with other substances. To learn more about our programs and to get help today, call us at (562) 434-4060.