Sleeping Aids
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (trade name Benadryl, as produced by J&J, or Dimedrol outside the U.S. & Canada. Nytol and Unisom as a sleeping pill) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine, sedative and hypnotic. more...
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It may also be used for the treatment of extrapyramidal side effects of typical antipsychotics. It is a member of the ethanolamine class of antihistaminergic agents.
Diphenhydramine was one of the first known antihistamines, invented in 1943 by Dr. George Rieveschl. This became the first FDA-approved prescription antihistamine in 1946.
The brand Benadryl is currently trademarked in the United States by Pfizer, however many drug store chains and retail outlets manufacture less-costly generic versions under their own store brands.
Pharmacological action
Diphenhydramine works by blocking the effect of histamine at H1 receptor sites. This results in effects such as the reduction of smooth muscle contraction, making diphenhydramine a popular choice for treatment of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, hives, motion sickness, and insect bites and stings.
In the 1960s it was found that diphenhydramine inhibits reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This discovery led to a search for viable antidepressants with similar structures and fewer side effects, culminating in the invention of fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). A similar search had previously led to the synthesis of the first SSRI zimelidine from chlorpheniramine, also an antihistamine.
Common use and dosage
Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine drug. Despite being one of the oldest antihistamines on the market, it is largely the most effective antihistamine available either by prescription or over-the-counter, and has been shown to exceed the effectiveness of even the latest prescription drugs. Consequently, it is frequently used when an allergic reaction requires fast, effective reversal of the often dangerous effects of a massive histamine release. However, it is not always the drug of choice for treating allergies.
It is known that diphenhydramine has sedative properties. Many new antihistamines have been introduced without the side effect of sedation. The drug is also used as a sleep aid and is an ingredient in many sleep aids, such as Unisom gelcaps (however, the tablet form of Unisom contains Doxylamine, a different active ingredient), and most notably Tylenol PM where it is combined with acetaminophen (paracetamol), and Nytol and Sominex which have diphenhydramine as the only active ingredient. Several generic and store brands of antihistamines and sleep aids also contain solely diphenhydramine.
Read more at Wikipedia.org
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