Benadryl Original Oral Liquid (New Formula) (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride And Ammonium Chloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Benadryl Original Oral Liquid (New Formula) Used For?
Benadryl Original is a combination medication that helps relieve cold symptoms and cough. It contains two active ingredients that work together to provide relief from respiratory discomfort.
Primary Uses
Benadryl Original is used to relieve the symptoms of dry raspy coughs due to a cold. It also helps with common cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes.
How It Works
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that reduces common cold symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. It also helps suppress dry, raspy coughs by its action in the brain. Ammonium chloride works as an expectorant to help clear mucus from the airways.
How to Take Benadryl Original Oral Liquid (New Formula)
Take Benadryl Original exactly as directed. Measure your dose carefully using a medicine measure and follow the recommended dosing schedule.
Dosage Instructions
For children 6 years to 12 years: 5mL every 4 hours as necessary. For adults and children over 12 years: every 4 hours as necessary. Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how much to take.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take it and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, you may take a dose as soon as you remember if you think you need it. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or stomach discomfort
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Increased appetite
- Thicker phlegm
- Dry mouth, nose, throat or eyes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Ringing in the ears
- Headache
- Fast heart beat
- Palpitations
- Low blood pressure
- Tightness of chest or throat
- Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Confusion
- Excitation
- Insomnia
- Nervousness, anxiety or irritability
- Impaired performance (such as with work or driving)
- Psychosis (a mental disorder)
- Hallucinations
- Muscle spasms
- Movement disorders, lack of coordination
- Tremor
- Seizures (fits)
- Hives
Important Warnings
Before taking Benadryl Original, make sure it’s safe for you. There are several conditions and situations where this medication should not be used.
Who Should Not Take Benadryl Original Oral Liquid (New Formula)
Do not use if you are allergic to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride or other antihistamines, Ammonium chloride, or any of the ingredients; are younger than 6 years; are having an asthma attack; have narrow-angle glaucoma; have duodenal or stomach ulcers or other stomach problems; have prostate problems; have bladder problems; have severe liver failure; have severe renal impairment; or have taken other products containing sedating antihistamines.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have: breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis; chronic obstructive airways disease; pneumonia; asthma; persistent or chronic coughs or coughs that produce a lot of mucus; liver or kidney disease; epilepsy; glaucoma; if you take sedatives; if you take any medicines for any other condition; or if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your pharmacist or doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking the medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Benadryl Original can interact with several types of medications. Always tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you’re taking.
- Medicines used to treat depression such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (especially if taken within the last 14 days) and tricyclic antidepressants
- Medicines used to help you relax, sleep or relieve anxiety, such as tranquillizers, sedatives and hypnotics
- Medicines with strong anticholinergic effects such as some travel sickness medicines, medicines to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, and medicines used in Parkinson’s disease
- Opioid analgesics used to treat pain
- Alcohol
- Betablockers (metroprolol), medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and prevent migraines
Alcohol & Driving
Benadryl Original can affect your ability to drive safely and can interact dangerously with alcohol. Take precautions to stay safe.
Alcohol
Do not take alcohol while using Benadryl Original. The sedative effects of alcohol may be increased.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Benadryl Original affects you. Benadryl Original may cause dizziness in some people. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your medicine in the original pack until it is time to take. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have used too much Benadryl Original, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication is designed to be taken every 4 hours as necessary, suggesting effects may last around 4 hours. However, the exact onset time is not specified in the product information.
The product information does not specify whether to take with or without food. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions about taking it with meals.
The product information does not indicate that Benadryl Original is addictive, but it should only be used as directed and not exceed the recommended dosage.
No, do not take alcohol while using Benadryl Original. The sedative effects of alcohol may be increased, which can be dangerous.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, you may take a dose as soon as you remember if you think you need it. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Benadryl Original should not be used in children younger than 6 years. For children 6 years to 12 years, the recommended dose is 5mL every 4 hours as necessary. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before giving to children.
Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours. The medication should be taken every 4 hours as necessary, but never exceed the recommended dosage.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.