Jones asked
Can you take Benadryl and Zantac together?
Answer
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Zantac (ranitidine) can safely be taken together. There is no interaction between the two medications.
In fact, evidence suggests that combining a H1 blocker, like Benadryl and a H2 blocker, like Zantac can be a very effective treatment for urticaria (hives).
Zantac (Ranitidine)
Zantac (ranitidine) is classified as a H2 blocker and works by blocking histamine at the H2 receptor.
While classified as a antihistamine, Zantac, as well as other H2 blockers, differ from the antihistamines used for allergies like Benadryl and Claritin, which block histamine at the H1 receptor.
H2 blockers work to reduce acid production by blocking parietal cells from being stimulated to produce acid by histamine. H2 blocking antihistamines are indicated for the treatment of many conditions resulting from increased acid production in the stomach including:
- Ulcers
- Dyspepsia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Esophagitis
Although H2 blockers are generally used for stomach related issues, evidence suggests they are also beneficial for treating hives.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a first generation antihistamine, which are noted for their relatively short duration of action (~4 to 8 hours) and their sedating properties.
In addition to its use for treating seasonal allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, Benadryl is also effective for treating symptoms of:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vertigo associated with motion sickness.
As Benadryl has fairly significant sedating effects, it is often used as a night time sleep aide and is common component of over the counter sleep products such as ZzzQuil.
Benadryl begins to work about 20 to 30 minutes after taking by mouth and maximum blood concentrations are reached after 1 to 2 hours. The duration of action varies by individual but generally lasts 4 to 6 hours. Benadryl is generally well tolerated but can cause the following side effects:
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Respiratory depression (rare)
Taking Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) With Zantac (Ranitidine)
As mentioned above, the combination of Benadryl and Zantac is considered safe. It is not uncommon to use Benadryl for allergy symptoms or to treat insomnia and take Zantac for unrelated stomach symptoms. In fact, both have been used together for the treatment of hives.
