Napa asked
I took Benadryl in the morning for a mild allergic reaction and want to take it at night. Is that safe?
Answer
Yes, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can safely be taken more than once a day.
The duration of action of Benadryl is around 4 to 6 for most individuals, but can last longer in the elderly. In general, it is safe to take up to 6 tablets of Benadryl 25mg per day.
In fact, the maximum daily dose of Benadryl is 300mg per day, which equates to 50mg (two Benadryl tablets), every four hours (six times daily).
It is important to note that Benadryl can cause considerable drowsiness and is generally reserved for the treatment of allergic reactions and insomnia. If you are looking for a medication to help with all-day seasonal allergy symptoms, second-generation antihistamines, like Claritin, may be a better choice as they last 24 hours per dose and are generally non-drowsy.
Summary
- Benadryl can safely be taken more than once per day.
- The maximum daily dose of Benadryl is 300mg per day.
- Benadryl can be dosed up to 50mg, every four to six hours.
