Andrew asked
Is it safe to take Benadryl with a Medrol dose pack?
At a glance
- Medrol (methylprednisolone) and Benadryl have no known drug interactions. They are considered safe to take together.
Answer
There are no known drug interactions between Benadryl and methylprednisolone. They are considered to be safe to take together.
Below is additional information regarding Benadryl and methylprednisolone.
Benadryl Information
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a first-generation, sedating antihistamine (H1-blocker) of the ethanolamine class. It is available in oral, topical, and parenteral product forms.
Benadryl is generally well tolerated but can cause significant sedation and drowsiness in most individuals. For this reason, it is commonly used as an ingredient in night-time sleep aid products such as ZzzQuil.
In addition to the sedative effects of Benadryl, it also has potent "drying" effects in most individuals, which is why it can cause:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Constipation
The onset of action of Benadryl is around 15-30 minutes after taking by mouth, with peak effects occurring 1 to 3 hours later. The duration of action is around 4 to 6 hours, with this being prolonged in the elderly and in those with liver disease.
Methylprednisolone Information
Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, used orally or parenterally as an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent. It is most commonly prescribed as a 'Medrol Dose Pak', which consists of a 21 tablet, 6-day tapering course of therapy.
Methylprednisolone is similar to prednisone, but is more potent on a mg-mg basis and is available in multiple dosage forms (e.g. via IV injection) while prednisone is only available orally.
References
- Medrol Prescribing Information. Pfizer
