The short answer is no.
Benadryl(diphenhydramine)is an over-the-counter (OTC)antihistaminefor allergies and sleep.
Melatoninis a hormone that regulates the body’scircadian rhythm(the sleep-wake cycle).
Antonio_Diaz / Getty Images
It’s also available as a dietary supplement.
Like Benadryl, it’s often used for sleep disturbances likeinsomnia(trouble falling or staying asleep).
There’s some controversy over whether these two medicines are safe to take together.
Read on for recommendations.
Antonio_Diaz / Getty Images
Can You Take Benadryl and Melatonin?
The short answer is no unless your healthcare provider recommends it and carefully monitors you.
Benadryl in Older Adults & Chronic Conditions
Benadry is not recommended for everyone.
As a general rule,older adultsshould not take Benadryl.
This is because it can make you too drowsy and cause cognitive impairment, falls, andbone fractures.
Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine, an allergy medicine that blocks histamine receptors in the body.
Melatonin causes sleepiness by activating melatonin receptors in the body.
This helps restore the sleep-wake cycle and induces sleep.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Even though it’s an OTC medicine, it should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
Long-Term Effects of Benadryl and Melatonin
Long-term studies of Benadryl’s effects are lacking.
Taking Benadryl long term may increase the risk ofdementia.
People may become tolerant to Benadryl’s sleep-inducing effects in as little as three days.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Your provider can screen for treatable issues that may keep you at night.
Many underlying conditions can cause insomnia, including:
Treating these conditions can help with sleep.
Before tryingOTC or prescription remediesfor insomnia, keep in mind that behavioral therapies have proved to help.
Many have been designated controlled substances because it’s possible for you to become dependent on them.
Before self-treating, discuss sleep issues with your healthcare provider for specific recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
You shouldn’t take Benadryl and melatonin together.
If you take Benadryl for sleep, take caution when taking OTC sleep aids orcold and flucombination products.
Benadryl is a common ingredient in these medicines.
Benadryl should not be taken with otheranticholinergic drugsdue to an increased risk of side effects like constipation and dizziness.
2015;17(6):10.4088/PCC.15r01798.
2017;15(3):434-443. doi:10.2174/1570159X14666161228122115
Antihistamines.
In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.
Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; January 16, 2017.
2023;15(1):518-533.
Published 2023 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/neurolint15010031
National Library of Medicine DailyMed.Diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablet.
2019;29(9):726-727. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0108
Wong HCG.Long-term use of diphenhydramine.CMAJ.
Ferracioli-Oda E, Qawasmi A, Bloch MH.Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders.PLoS One.
2013;8(5):e63773.
Published 2013 May 17. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063773
Bollu PC, Kaur H.Sleep medicine: insomnia and sleep.Mo Med.
2019;116(1):68-75.
Liu MT.Current and emerging therapies for insomnia.Am J Manag Care.
2020;26(4 Suppl):S85-S90.
