Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Using Benadryl 25mg Every 3 Hours Three Times A Day Safe?
Question: Dear Dr. Varshney,
Thank you so much for contacting me.
After your recommendation we asked dialysis staff to raise the machine temperature. It did not help. Then we asked to use another dialyzer.
They changed Optiflux to Polyflux and started giving my mother Tylenol 1000mg and Benadryl 25mg in the beginning of dialysis, 25mg one hour before the end of dialysis and 25mg at home after diyalisis. It did help. Temperature was not raising and she was feeling much better.
Today they received a new dialyzer, Revaclear, which was used when my mother was dialysed in the hospital and worked well there. The only difference I noticed, was the flow rate. The flow rate in the hospital was 300 and in the dialysis office they install 350. She received same dosage of Tylenol and Benadryl today, but at home her temperature went up to 99.6 ( not as high as before: to 102.5 but she was feeling worse then previous two times). Do you think we should ask dyalysis staff to change the flow rate to 300 or it doesn't make sense? Is using Benadryl 25mg every 3 hours three times a day and 1000mg of Tylenol okay?
Thank you,
Sincerely,
XXXX
Thank you so much for contacting me.
After your recommendation we asked dialysis staff to raise the machine temperature. It did not help. Then we asked to use another dialyzer.
They changed Optiflux to Polyflux and started giving my mother Tylenol 1000mg and Benadryl 25mg in the beginning of dialysis, 25mg one hour before the end of dialysis and 25mg at home after diyalisis. It did help. Temperature was not raising and she was feeling much better.
Today they received a new dialyzer, Revaclear, which was used when my mother was dialysed in the hospital and worked well there. The only difference I noticed, was the flow rate. The flow rate in the hospital was 300 and in the dialysis office they install 350. She received same dosage of Tylenol and Benadryl today, but at home her temperature went up to 99.6 ( not as high as before: to 102.5 but she was feeling worse then previous two times). Do you think we should ask dyalysis staff to change the flow rate to 300 or it doesn't make sense? Is using Benadryl 25mg every 3 hours three times a day and 1000mg of Tylenol okay?
Thank you,
Sincerely,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Detail Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome again to HCM.
I am very glad to review your query again.
In my last answer to you, i gave you three possibilities that could cause such fever after every dialysis.
It's not that i said that fever is due to temperature problem of the machine. It was one of the possibility.
Second possibility that i kept was of Dialyzer reaction, and that is evident now, since she got relief on changing the dialyzer and use of benadryl.
The benadryl she is getting helps by its anti-histaminic action.
This is the reason why she gets relief of fever and chills. Also, Tylenol is helping in reducing the fever episodes.
I would suggest you following:
1. To give only Benadryl to her as being given.
2. To give Tylenol only on as when required basis when she gets fever, as this drug in excessive doses can harm her liver.
As far as flow rate is concerned, we decide that according to the duration of dialysis and according to the ultrafiltration we need to achieve. So, that you don't have to take stress off. Leave that on dialysis technician. Moreover, this difference would not make much difference. It is also possible that the technician might have set it to 350 by mistake. But it won't make much difference.
I would suggest you to consider her for Kidney Transplantation for her better life.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Stay Healthy
Dr Anshul Varshney.
Detail Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome again to HCM.
I am very glad to review your query again.
In my last answer to you, i gave you three possibilities that could cause such fever after every dialysis.
It's not that i said that fever is due to temperature problem of the machine. It was one of the possibility.
Second possibility that i kept was of Dialyzer reaction, and that is evident now, since she got relief on changing the dialyzer and use of benadryl.
The benadryl she is getting helps by its anti-histaminic action.
This is the reason why she gets relief of fever and chills. Also, Tylenol is helping in reducing the fever episodes.
I would suggest you following:
1. To give only Benadryl to her as being given.
2. To give Tylenol only on as when required basis when she gets fever, as this drug in excessive doses can harm her liver.
As far as flow rate is concerned, we decide that according to the duration of dialysis and according to the ultrafiltration we need to achieve. So, that you don't have to take stress off. Leave that on dialysis technician. Moreover, this difference would not make much difference. It is also possible that the technician might have set it to 350 by mistake. But it won't make much difference.
I would suggest you to consider her for Kidney Transplantation for her better life.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Stay Healthy
Dr Anshul Varshney.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Dr. Varshney,
Thank you for your reply. We really appreciate it. Unfortunately, we were told, due to our mother's age transplantation is not an option. So, we will follow your recommendations regarding Benadryl at present time and see how it works.
Sincerely,
XXXX
Thank you for your reply. We really appreciate it. Unfortunately, we were told, due to our mother's age transplantation is not an option. So, we will follow your recommendations regarding Benadryl at present time and see how it works.
Sincerely,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Good Luck
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am hopeful this would help her.
If you have any problems or query i am always available for your help.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney.
Good Luck
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am hopeful this would help her.
If you have any problems or query i am always available for your help.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
