Accidental Overdose on Benadryl: Seeking Advice
I’m a 30-year-old female living with congenital heart disease, diastolic heart failure, and factor V Leiden mutation. Currently, I’m on several medications including Cymbalta, Abilify, Eliquis, Seroquel, and Vistaril. I want to clarify upfront that my recent incident with Benadryl was not a suicide attempt. I neglected to check the dosage instructions when taking the medication, which was clearly a mistake on my part. It all began on Monday evening around 10 PM, when I started experiencing what I believed to be an allergic reaction. By 10:15 PM, my discomfort escalated, prompting me to take two extra-strength Benadryl tablets, each containing 50 mg. While this provided minimal relief, I was finally able to sleep. The following day, I went to the emergency department due to persistent severe itching. I took another 100 mg of Benadryl there and was given additional medications before being discharged. After getting back home at around 4 AM, I took a short nap. Later that day, around 5 PM, the itching returned, and I took another 100 mg dose, followed by an additional 100 mg again at 10 PM. When I consulted a friend who is a medical professional about whether 200 mg in one day was excessive, she confirmed that it was, which made me realize I had made a mistake. I reached out to poison control who advised against sleeping alone, so I ended up on the couch with my boyfriend. However, I struggled to find sleep—restlessly tossing and turning through the night, experiencing what felt like tremors or possibly a pseudo-seizure, shaking violently. When I awoke around 4 AM, I was disoriented and itchy again and mistakenly took yet another 100 mg of Benadryl. Upon recognizing the gravity of the situation, I went to the ER, but they reassured me that I was okay, stating they frequently administer such high doses. There was no blood work or EKG performed, and I was sent home. Seeking a second opinion at an urgent care facility, I was told not to worry and advised to simply rest and stay hydrated. It has been some time since my last Benadryl dose and I’m now experiencing a slew of symptoms including intense drowsiness, dry mouth, slight confusion, possibly tremors or pseudo-seizures, headaches, agitation, stomach pain, and nausea. How long might these effects persist? Should I consider visiting another ER to get evaluated again?
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 1:20:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve had a very challenging experience, and I appreciate you sharing those details. Managing a situation involving a medication like Benadryl—especially with your underlying health conditions—can understandably cause significant concern.
Main Points:
- Symptoms You’re Experiencing: Intense drowsiness, dry mouth, confusion, tremors (or pseudo-seizures), headaches, agitation, stomach pain, and nausea can be side effects of high doses of Benadryl.
- Duration of Effects: Many of these symptoms can last from several hours to a couple of days as the medication is eliminated from your system.
- When to Seek Further Help: If your symptoms worsen or you continue to feel disoriented, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
Explanation:
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness and confusion, especially in higher doses. For most adults, the recommended dose is 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours, with a maximum of around 300 mg per day. You’ve taken doses that exceed this recommendation significantly, which can lead to increased side effects, particularly given your medical history of congenital heart disease and diastolic heart failure.
The tremors or shaking you're experiencing may be a side effect of the medication or a response of your body to the high dosage. Intense drowsiness is also common with Benadryl, but it is concerning given your medical history and current symptoms.
Next Steps:
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Hydrate and Rest: Continue to stay hydrated and rest as advised. Avoid any additional antihistamines or medications that can increase sedation.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a close watch on how you feel. If your drowsiness deepens, confusion increases, or you experience persistent tremors, agitation, or any new symptoms, these are indicators that you should seek medical attention.
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Contact a Healthcare Provider: If symptoms do not improve within 24-48 hours, or if you feel any worsening of your condition, please go to an emergency room for an evaluation. Given your medical history, it's crucial to get a thorough check-up, including possibly an EKG, to ensure there are no complications from your recent Benadryl use.
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Consider Medication Review: Once you stabilize, consider discussing your current medications and any side effects with your healthcare provider. This can help in preventing similar situations in the future.
Your health is important, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you have any immediate concerning changes, please take action and seek care. Stay safe and take care of yourself.
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