{"id":635991,"date":"2026-04-21T09:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635991"},"modified":"2026-04-17T13:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:33:33","slug":"trazodone-and-benadryl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trazodone-and-benadryl\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take trazodone and Benadryl together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this: You\u2019ve lived with insomnia for years, finally finding some much-needed rest with the help of <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a>, an antidepressant prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> as a sleep aid. But now allergy season has arrived, and the only medicine that consistently provides relief is <\/span>Benadryl<\/span><\/a> (diphenhydramine). Can you take Benadryl if you\u2019re already taking trazodone, either for insomnia or for depression? Read on to find out, plus discover some alternative strategies for sleep and allergy relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take Benadryl with trazodone?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cThere are isolated occasions where a person might find themselves considering taking both Benadryl and trazodone, but it is not recommended,\u201d says <\/span>Carrie Kreps, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, the director of clinical services at Pharmacy Care Associates, an independent specialty retail pharmacy in Montgomery, Alabama. \u201cBoth agents can be very sedating, and the combination could be quite problematic.\u201d In other words, both Benadryl and trazodone make you drowsy, so taking them together is likely to amplify this side effect and the potential risks that can accompany it.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Potential dangers and side effects when combining Benadryl and trazodone<\/span><\/h2>\n

Taking Benadryl and trazodone together can be dangerous for anyone, but certain people have an increased risk of adverse effects. \u201c<\/span>Older adults<\/span><\/a>, people with breathing issues or neurological conditions, or those using other sedating medications or alcohol are at even higher risk,\u201d says <\/span>Kara Wada, MD<\/span><\/a>, an allergist-immunologist and lifestyle medicine provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are the most notable drug interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Severe drowsiness<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most dangerous side effect of combining trazodone and Benadryl is sedation. \u201cBoth medications enhance central nervous system depression, reduce alertness, and slow reaction time,\u201d Dr. Wada explains. \u201cDiphenhydramine crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes sedation through antihistamine effects.\u201d Trazodone works by changing serotonin levels in the brain, which can cause sleepiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Increased risk of falls or accidents<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cAny medication that causes drowsiness on its own increases the risk of falls and accidents because of reduced alertness,\u201d Dr. Kreps says. Put two of them together, such as Benadryl and trazodone, and this risk only increases further. Dr. Kreps adds that Benadryl is anticholinergic, which means it blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Some of the most common side effects of <\/span>anticholinergic drugs<\/span><\/a> include blurred vision, confusion, and reduced muscle strength, all of which can contribute to a higher likelihood of falls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Impaired cognitive function<\/span><\/h3>\n

While low doses of trazodone don\u2019t tend to impair cognitive function or cause brain fog, Dr. Kreps says that Benadryl is known to have a \u201changover effect,\u201d especially in people older than 65. \u201cThis is where the residual effects of the drug linger through the morning and midday the next day, reducing attention span and resulting in a foggy-headed sensation,\u201d she explains. Add in the drowsiness factor from the trazodone, and it could be difficult to focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, a study published in <\/span>JAMA Internal Medicine<\/span><\/i><\/a> found a link between exposure to anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that using Benadryl on a regular basis in the long-term may also contribute to cognitive issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Does Benadryl raise your blood pressure?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What to do if you\u2019ve accidentally taken trazodone with Benadryl<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you accidentally take Benadryl and trazodone together, or you find yourself in a situation where you need both close together, Dr. Wada says the most important thing to do is to stay in a safe environment. \u201cYou should not drive or operate machinery and skip any other substances that may be sedative, like alcohol,\u201d she adds. If you do take both at the same time, Drs. Kreps and Wada suggest having someone you trust keep an eye on you to monitor for symptoms like difficulty staying awake (if it\u2019s daytime), slowed or shallow breathing, confusion, or unusual behavior. \u201cIf concerning symptoms develop, seek emergency care or contact Poison Control,\u201d Dr. Wada says.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you must take both, Dr. Kreps recommends trying to separate the two drugs by about six hours. \u201cA possible scenario might look like this: A patient who takes trazodone nightly for insomnia gets stung by a bee, and they are highly allergic,\u201d Dr. Kreps posits. \u201cIf a dose of Benadryl has historically been effective for the bee sting, I would suggest either skipping the bedtime dose of trazodone for that night or at least separating the two medications by six hours.\u201d Ask your prescribing healthcare provider for guidance specific to you and any preexisting health conditions you have that might affect the timing of these medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

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