{"id":5496,"date":"2019-08-23T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T14:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5496"},"modified":"2026-05-20T15:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:38:21","slug":"benadryl-allergy-medicine-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benadryl-allergy-medicine-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking allergy medicine?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal allergies are as common as they are annoying. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) affects 20 million adults in the United States each year. And millions more experience various other types of allergies, everything including insect bites, pet dander, shellfish, peanuts, and mold spores (to name a few). If you have a severe or anaphylactic allergy, you might carry an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/epipen-2-pak\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EpiPen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or receive allergy shots. For most people, however, over-the-counter allergy medicine is the first line of defense against allergy symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how does taking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/allergy-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allergy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medication impact your ability to enjoy those #weekendvibes? In other words, will you still have the option to enjoy a cold beer on a hot summer night (or a hot toddy on a cold winter night) if you are taking something to combat your itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, hives, rash, or scratchy throat?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"can-you-drink-alcohol-while-taking-allergy-medication\"><b>Can you drink alcohol while taking allergy medication?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re taking medication to manage your allergies, you may wonder if it&#8217;s safe to drink alcohol, and for good reason. Combining allergy meds with alcohol can cause side effects that impair your daily functioning and pose health risks. Keep reading to uncover the relationship and risks between alcohol and first- and second-generation oral allergy medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"first-generation-allergy-medicines\"><b>First-generation allergy medicines<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your allergy med of choice is a first-generation allergy medication,\u00a0 the answer is an emphatic NO, don\u2019t drink alcohol. These medications include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/benadryl-itch-relief\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benadryl<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/diphenhydramine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diphenhydramine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chlor-Trimeton (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/chlorpheniramine-maleate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chlorpheniramine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tavist (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/clemastine-fumarate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clemastine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atarax (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hydroxyzine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hydroxyzine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hydroxyzine-and-alcohol\/\"><b>Can you drink while taking hydroxyzine?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply put, none of these and alcohol should never, EVER, be combined, says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/clinicianresources.bcm.edu\/people\/profile\/1755\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">David Corry, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a pulmonologist and professor of medicine in the immunology, allergy, and rheumatology department at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcm.edu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baylor College of Medicine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Houston, Texas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;That is a big contraindication,&#8221; Dr. Corry says. Why? The primary side effect of these medications, which are central nervous system depressants, is drowsiness (case in point: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zyrtec-vs-benadryl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benadryl is also used to treat insomnia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which is also one of the primary side effects of alcohol consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;First-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, and hydroxyzine) will cause drowsiness in just about everybody, and alcohol does that too,&#8221; Dr. Corry explains. &#8220;So if you are taking alcohol and antihistamines, your chances of having a double dose of that drowsiness are very, very high.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the worst-case scenario, he explains, this double dose of drowsiness can not only impair your ability to function and increase the likelihood of some sort of accident, but it can also lead to difficulty breathing and unconsciousness. Meaning that cocktail is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> worth the risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"what-if-you-re-having-an-allergic-reaction\"><b>What if you&#8217;re having an allergic reaction?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s essential to note an important exception to this hard-and-fast rule<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If someone is facing a severe allergic reaction while consuming alcohol from food or an insect bite, immediate action is necessary, and an antihistamine can be taken.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;If you are allergic to shellfish and you had two martinis and then somebody passes you a shrimp and you are having a reaction \u2026 you would not withhold Benadryl,&#8221; says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stjohns.edu\/academics\/faculty\/maria-m-mantione-pharmd\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maria Marzella Mantione, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, director of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stjohns.edu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. John\u2019s University<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Queens, New York. She adds that in this scenario, the patient needs professional medical care, so call 911 or get them to a healthcare provider immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThese concerns (about antihistamines and drowsiness) are really outside of this particular context of severe, life-threatening situations,\u201d Dr. Corry agrees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, Benadryl clears from your system in four to six hours, says Dr. Mantione. So, presuming the allergic reaction is kept at bay, you won&#8217;t be teetotaling indefinitely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div class=\"singlecare-dynamic-newsletter-wrapper sin-newsletter-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"heading\">Get our allergies newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t<form class=\"form-wrapper\" data-newsletter-form=\"1\" data-subsource=\"Allergies Newsletter\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"dynamic-email\">Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"dynamic-email\" class=\"email\" required>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"submit-form-btn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Click to sign up\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"success-message\" role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"second-generation-allergy-medicines\"><b>Second-generation allergy medicines<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have chronic seasonal allergies, it is unlikely your healthcare provider will recommend a first-generation antihistamine, says Dr. Mantione, because these are normally used for acute reactions and may cause drowsiness every time they are taken. Instead, she explains, you&#8217;ll likely be steered toward one of these second-generation allergy medications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/claritin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claritin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/loratadine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loratadine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/allegra-allergy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allegra<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fexofenadine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fexofenadine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xyzal-allergy-24hr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xyzal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (levocetirizine)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zyrtec-allergy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zyrtec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/cetirizine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cetirizine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These medications and alcohol are generally considered a slightly safer combination, as the medication does not typically cause drowsiness or other side effects that would be intensified by alcohol consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/claritin-and-alcohol\/\"><b>Can you drink alcohol while taking Claritin?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Most of these have a reduced, if not completely absent, side effect of sleepiness,&#8221; Dr. Corry says. This is not to say, however, that it is okay to go on a bender while taking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/claritin\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claritin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zyrtec-allergy\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zyrtec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Xyzal, or Allegra. Dr. Corry recommends avoiding alcohol use altogether while taking <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">any<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But is doing so going to lead to a critical medical emergency? Probably not, explains Dr. Mantione. &#8220;It is one of those situations where, as a pharmacist, I say it is best to avoid because we don&#8217;t know how it is going to affect you, but it is not (considered) a life-threatening combination,&#8221; she says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zyrtec-and-alcohol\/\"><b>Can you drink while taking Zyrtec?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She also offers an alternative treatment option for those who don&#8217;t want to give up the opportunity to have a drink: nasal corticosteroids, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flonase-vs-nasonex\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flonase or Nasonex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These are used as needed and are safe to use regularly throughout the allergy season. They don&#8217;t have a contraindication with alcohol as they don&#8217;t cause drowsiness or other systemic side effects, she says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;If somebody came to me and said, &#8216;I am on this allergy medication, but I am going away on vacation, and I am hoping to have Bahama Mamas every day,&#8217; I would recommend the nasal corticosteroid,&#8221; Dr. Mantione says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-636536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126.png\" alt=\"A chart showing the safety of combining different allergy medications with alcohol\" width=\"1920\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126-1024x480.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126-768x360.png 768w, https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Embed_052126-1536x720.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"is-having-one-or-two-drinks-okay\"><b>Is having one or two drinks okay?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s crucial to be cautious when combining alcohol with allergy medications, even one glass of wine with dinner. Alcohol should be avoided completely with first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine due to the increased risk of drowsiness and impairment. Although second-generation antihistamines are generally considered safer, healthcare professionals advise against drinking alcohol while taking allergy medications, except nasal sprays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benadryl-and-alcohol\/\"><b>Can you take Benadryl and drink alcohol?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"are-certain-people-at-greater-risk-of-side-effects\"><b>Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Older adults, individuals with certain medical conditions, and those with heightened sensitivity to either substance may be at a higher risk of adverse effects from mixing alcohol with allergy medications. Those taking medications for sleep disorders or mental health issues like anxiety or depression are also at heightened risk of intensified side effects. Additionally, people taking multiple drugs or with a history of alcohol abuse should be particularly cautious.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-after-taking-allergy-medicine-can-you-drink-alcohol\"><b>How long after taking allergy medicine can you drink alcohol?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you take your allergy medication is important, too. For first-generation <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/antihistamines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antihistamines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like Benadryl, it is recommended to wait at least four to six hours after the last dose before consuming alcohol, which is typically how long it takes the medication to clear from your system. For second-generation antihistamines, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the safest approach regarding alcoholic beverages. These often stay in your system longer but pose less risk of serious interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-bottom-line\"><b>The bottom line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combining alcohol with medicines for allergies should be avoided. First-generation antihistamines pose significant risks when paired with alcohol, while second-generation options are generally safer but still warrant caution. Ultimately, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid alcohol while taking any allergy medication to ensure optimal health and safety. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seasonal allergies are as common as they are annoying. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) affects 20 million adults in the United States each year. And millions more experience various other types of allergies, everything including insect bites, pet dander, shellfish, peanuts, and mold spores (to name [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":9273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[8742,554],"coauthors":[8369],"class_list":["post-5496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-alcohol-interactions","tag-allergies","franchise-the-mix-up","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Allergy medicine and alcohol: Are they a safe combination?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mixing alcohol and allergy medicine can cause drowsiness and harmful side effects, especially with Benadryl. Learn safer options like Claritin or Flonase.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benadryl-allergy-medicine-and-alcohol\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Do allergy medicine and alcohol mix?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It depends. 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