Benadryl With Zoloft Interaction

Answer

Hello and thanks for reaching out to us. I'm more than happy to talk about the safety of combining Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Zoloft (sertraline).

Benadryl and Zoloft don't interact with one another in terms of either affecting how the other works. However, combining both could lead to some additive side effects, specifically drowsiness. This can be bothersome in its own right and is particularly something to be concerned about in older adults due to the increased risk of falling.

Zoloft Side Effects

Now, Zoloft can affect everyone a little differently in regard to side effects, and side effects from the drug tend to be a little more pronounced when it is first started. The most commonly reported side effects of Zoloft are:

• Nausea
• Somnolence (i.e. sleepiness)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Dizziness

You'll notice some of these side effects seem to conflict with one another (e.g. Zoloft can cause both sleepiness and insomnia). Again, the side effects experienced from the drug do vary from person to person, and can vary even based on how long you have been taking it. Insomnia tends to be a problem when the drug is first started, while sleepiness and dizziness may be more pronounced later.

Benadryl Side Effects

Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine that can be used for allergy symptoms, but it is also very commonly used as a sleep aid due to its sedative effects.

The most common side effects of Benadryl are:

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness
• Constipation

Taking Zoloft With Benadryl

As mentioned, there is no drug interaction between Zoloft and Benadryl in the fact that they don't affect how the other drug works. Nevertheless, combining them could certainly cause some additive side effects such as an increased feeling of drowsiness.

 I do want to point out here as well that combining Zoloft and Benadryl may be particularly risky in older adults due to this increased sedation.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), like Zoloft, have been linked to an increased risk of falling. Some studies, including one published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that elderly individuals taking an SSRI have around a two-fold increased risk of falling versus those not taking SSRIs. This is of course concerning due to the injuries that can happen when a fall occurs.

How Long To Wait After Taking Benadryl

You asked in your question specifically how long to wait after taking Benadryl to take Zoloft. Benadryl is relatively short-acting, with a duration of action of around 4 to 6 hours per dose, although this can be longer in older adults.

As a rule of thumb, you'll want to wait at least 6 hours after taking Benadryl to take Zoloft if you want to try to avoid the risk of additive side effects from both drugs.

Final Words

Thanks again for reaching out to us and we hope to hear from you again soon!