Can You Take Benadryl And Augmentin Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is a drug interaction between Benadryl and Augmentin.
Can you take Benadryl with 875mg of Augmentin and what is the dosage of Benadryl?
Oct 21, 2022- Benadryl and Augmentin have no known drug interaction and are safe to take together.
- Benadryl can help relieve infection-related symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes while also helping you sleep.
- Other antihistamines like Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, and Xyzal are also safe to use with Augmentin if you prefer alternatives.
Answer
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Augmentin (amoxicillin; clavulanic acid) can safely be taken together as there is no known drug interaction between them.
Additionally, these medications don't share common side effects (aside from very minor ones, like occasional nausea) and are generally safe to combine. In fact, it's pretty common that these two drugs are used together.
I'm assuming you're treating an infection (due to you being prescribed Augmentin), and Benadryl can be a drug that is helpful to relieve some of the symptoms associated with an infection, like a runny nose and watering eyes. Benadryl is also sedating and can help you fall asleep faster in the evening.
If you are looking for other antihistamines that may be safe with Augmentin as well, please note that all of the second-generation ones (e.g., Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, and Xyzal) do not interact with Augmentin either.
About Benadryl
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is used to relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. It is also used to relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation, prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep).
Diphenhydramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines and by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
About Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, and is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, including infections of the ears, lungs, sinus, skin, and urinary tract.
Amoxicillin is in a class of medications called penicillin-like antibiotics and works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Clavulanic acid is in a class of medications called beta-lactamase inhibitors and works by preventing bacteria from destroying amoxicillin.
Final Words
In your question, you asked about the dosage of Benadryl.
The recommended adult dose is 25-50mg every four to six hours. For insomnia (i.e., trouble sleeping), the usual dose is 50mg as a single dose about 30 minutes before bed. As mentioned in the sections above, there is no interaction between Benadryl and Augmentin. They can be taken together at the same time if needed.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- A change in how one medication works when taken together with another medication.
- Diphenhydramine
- The active ingredient in Benadryl that blocks allergic reactions in the body.
- Antihistamines
- Medications that block histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms like sneezing and itching.
- Amoxicillin
- An antibiotic medication that kills bacteria to treat infections.
- Clavulanic acid
- A substance added to amoxicillin that prevents bacteria from developing resistance to the antibiotic.
- Beta-lactamase inhibitors
- A class of medications that protect antibiotics from being destroyed by bacteria.
- Penicillin-like antibiotics
- A group of antibiotics similar in structure and function to penicillin that kill bacteria.
- Insomnia
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
More answers from Brian →