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Brand Names: Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy

Generic Name: diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Pronunciation: dye fen HYE dra meen/ soo doe e FED rin)

• What is diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What are the possible side effects of diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What is the most important information I should know about diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• How should I take diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What happens if I overdose (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What should I avoid while taking diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• What other drugs will affect diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine is used to treat sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.

Diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• blurred vision;
• dry mouth;
• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
• mild loss of appetite, stomach upset;
• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• restless or excitability (especially in children);
• skin rash or itching;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• problems with memory or concentration; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine (Benadryl Allergy Decongestant, Tavist NightTime Allergy)?

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of this medication.