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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Reverse Reaction To Benadryl, Makes Me Anxious, Hyperactive. Any Other Antihistamine To Relieve Itching, Sinus Congestion?

I have a reverse reaction to Benadryl/diphenhydramine; it makes me very anxious and hyperactive - no need to worry about becoming drowsy! Is there another antihistamine you would recommend to relieve itching and/or nose and sinus congestion, often accompanied by ear inflamation and vertigo? I'm 84 and take a fistfull of meds for other, mainly age-related ailments, including age-related macular degeneration.
Thanks.
Thu, 14 Nov 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Agitation with antihistamines is one of the atypical or unusual reactions that can occur with these medications.

There are a number of different antihistamines that you can try.

Examples of other antihistamines that are normally associated with drowsiness are: chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine,.

There are also second generation antihistamines that would not cause any drowsiness, examples are: claritine(loratidine) , zyrtec (cetirizine), allegra (fexofenadine).

These should be available over the counter.

I hope this helps
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Have Reverse Reaction To Benadryl, Makes Me Anxious, Hyperactive. Any Other Antihistamine To Relieve Itching, Sinus Congestion?

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Agitation with antihistamines is one of the atypical or unusual reactions that can occur with these medications. There are a number of different antihistamines that you can try. Examples of other antihistamines that are normally associated with drowsiness are: chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine,. There are also second generation antihistamines that would not cause any drowsiness, examples are: claritine(loratidine) , zyrtec (cetirizine), allegra (fexofenadine). These should be available over the counter. I hope this helps