Has the drug Benadryl changed recently?

Question

Has the drug Benadryl changed recently?
I have a food allergy. In the past when I felt the reaction coming on I could take Benadryl and keep the reaction down until it passed. Now I'm having trouble keeping the reaction under control. I wondered if they have weakened the over the counter version of Benadryl
I thought I should add that I realize that my alllergic reaction could be getting stronger...
However, I noticed that the side effects of ther Benadryl are no longer present these days...
That is.... I don't get tired or "loopy" or "unable to operate machinery" like I used to a year or more ago when this last happened.

1 hour ago - 3 days left to answer. - 2 answers - Report Abuse

Answer 1

More than likely you're getting used to the Benadryl. If you've taken antihistamines for a while, you get used to them and the side effects no longer bug you. And eventually the benefits of them will no longer benefit you either.

Your reactions are probably also becoming more severe.

If you're needing more and more antihistamine and you're taking it often, you need to figure out how to avoid your food allergen better, or you're developing more allergies. It is possible to become immune to the benefits of antihistamines if you use them often. For some it takes years, for others it can take weeks.

I took Dimetapp growing up and it worked for several years, before it stopped being effective. I took Claritin for a month before it stopped working. I went on Allegra for several years before it became ineffective. Then I went to Zyrtec and used it for several years.

Answer 2

I have asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities and so
I never know when I'm going to have an allergic reaction.
It has been Benadryl many times that has saved my life
after doctors won't listen and give me highly allergic
meds. I have always used the children's liquid as it works
faster than pills. The one I have now has diphynhydramine
HCI at 12.5 mg per teasponfull. I have found no change in
this particular brand in the last 5 years. It's from Pfizer.
As soon as it hits my stomach, I can tell it's quieting the
allergic reaction. Benadryl is the brand name--check
if its still dyphenhydramine and if yours has any other
ingredients (which may change its effectiveness.)

Answer 3

Sometimes our response to medications changes over time. What was once effective is no longer working as well. Perhaps this is the case with you. I haven't noticed any changes in Benadryl, and you'd have to be familiar with the milligrams to know if they've changed the amount per dose.

Answer 4

I don't know for sure about Benadryl in particular, but many drugs have changed their formulas to remain in the open shelves of the stores, rather than getting put behind the pharmacist's counter due to Crystal Meth labs.

Answer 5

if you take enough benadryl (like 20 or so) you start hallucinating. its really weird, i advise against it. its almost like voluntary temporary schizophrenia