Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a brand-name over-the-counter drug that’s used for allergies and itchy skin. Learn about side effects, price, and more. Diphenhydramine, or Diphenylhydramine, sold under the brand name Benadryl among others, is an antihistamine and sedative. Although generally considered sedating, diphenhydramine can cause paradoxical central nervous system stimulation in some individuals, particularly at higher doses. Benadryl is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Benadryl is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms. Benadryl is a brand of various antihistamine medications used to treat allergies, whose content varies in different countries, but which includes some combination of diphenhydramine, acrivastine, or cetirizine. Benadryl DF is an antihistamine that is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms. Benadryl DF is also used to treat motion sickness, to induce sleep, and to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Benadryl can cause drowsiness and should not be used when driving. Taking large doses of Benadryl can lead to serious health issues like cardiac arrest and death. People with glaucoma should talk to a doctor before using Benadryl because it can cause vision problems. Find patient medical information for Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom, and others) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Do you need help relieving allergies or a pesky itch? Check out the many allergy and itch relief products BENADRYL® offers which may help provide relief. Find BENADRYL® dosage information for adults, children, and toddlers and learn how much you and your family should take with our allergy medicine product-dosing guide. Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) is a liquid medication that treats the symptoms of allergies and allergic reactions. It may also prevent and treat motion sickness or the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.