Latest news with #Diphenhydramine
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Why are experts warning against Benadryl, the common cough syrup?
Benadryl, a medicine many households have relied on for decades, is now under serious scrutiny from health experts. Known for treating allergies, cough, cold, and even used as a sleep aid, Benadryl (which contains the drug diphenhydramine) is being called outdated and potentially risky. A new review published in February 2025 by allergy experts from Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Diego, is urging for the drug to be pulled from over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription markets in the U.S. due to its side effects and availability of safer alternatives. Here's why medical professionals are now advising people to think twice before reaching for this common medication. Outdated and risky, say experts Diphenhydramine was approved back in 1946 as a first-generation antihistamine. While it does help manage allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching, experts argue it affects more than just the allergy-related parts of the brain. It can also cause sedation, dizziness, confusion, and even dangerous heart issues. According to the review, Benadryl poses more harm than newer antihistamines, especially for young children and older adults. The drug can stay in the body for up to 18 hours in seniors, leading to ongoing drowsiness and increased risk of falls. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In children, misuse can cause agitation, extreme sedation, or even coma and death in rare cases. Not the best choice for allergic reactions Despite its popularity, some doctors say Benadryl isn't the best option during severe allergic reactions. Dr. Anna Wolfson, an allergist at Massachusetts General Hospital, told CNN, 'If someone has an allergic reaction to a food, people will say, 'Don't worry, I have diphenhydramine in my purse,' and I would say, 'Really, epinephrine is the first-line treatment for food allergies.'' Benadryl affects acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. A 2015 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that those who used drugs that block acetylcholine, like Benadryl, had a 54% higher risk of dementia and a 63% greater chance of developing Alzheimer's. The World Allergy Organization Journal also linked diphenhydramine to poor academic outcomes, citing major declines in attention, memory, and processing speed. Not safe for children Doctors are also raising concerns about how diphenhydramine is being used in children. Dr. Alyssa Kuban, a pediatrician and associate medical director at Texas Children's Pediatrics, told CNN: 'I see some families use diphenhydramine when the child has a cold or upper respiratory infection, thinking it will help with the congestion and help them to sleep better at night. This is not effective for cold symptoms, nor is it very safe. ' Source: Getty Images Experts say that loratadine and cetirizine are safer for children over 6 months, while saline drops and suction are better for infants. Experts also pointed to social media risks. The drug was involved in dangerous viral trends like the "Benadryl Challenge," which led to child hospitalizations and even fatalities. What should you do? Although Benadryl is found in over 300 products and still widely used, experts are clear: safer alternatives exist. Second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine and loratadine offer similar relief with fewer side effects and longer-lasting results. These newer medications don't cause the same level of sedation or cognitive impairment. The authors of the February 2024 review concluded: 'In the past, it has been a useful medication that has helped millions of patients; however, its current therapeutic ratio is matched or exceeded by second-generation antihistamines, especially due to their markedly reduced adverse reactions. It is time to say a final goodbye to diphenhydramine, a public health hazard.'
Miami Herald
27-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Baby found dead at apartment day care after large dose of Benadryl, TN cops say
A 6-month-old girl was found unconscious at an unlicensed day care with nearly three times the adult dose of Benadryl in her system, Tennessee authorities said. The day care operator, 35-year-old Lourdes Hernandez, has now been indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child neglect and operating a childcare agency without a license, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said March 26. The charges come more than a year after Madison Alverto-Coto's mom drove to Hernandez's apartment to pick up her daughter, only to find the girl unresponsive, police said. Children were crying in the apartment as Hernandez put water on the infant's head, then the girl's mom called 911, according to police. Hernandez told police she had put the baby down for a nap, but she couldn't wake her back up, WZTV and WKRN reported. The woman had 10 children under the age of 3 in the apartment that day, according to police. The infant was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Feb. 8, 2024, police said. An autopsy revealed she had a large dose in her system of Diphenhydramine, which is the antihistamine in Benadryl. Hernandez moved to a different apartment, where police said they found several children at the time of her arrest. Davidson County records show she was booked in jail March 21 on $150,000 bond.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman charged with murder in 2024 death of 6-month-old at unlicensed daycare
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A woman operating an unlicensed daycare where a 6-month-old child died in 2024 now faces a murder charge, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Lourdes Hernandez, 35, is currently jailed on a grand jury indictment charging her with 1st degree murder, aggravated child neglect, and operating a childcare agency without a license, police said. Police and medics initially responded to an apartment in the 400 block of Welshwood Drive on Feb. 8, 2024, after receiving a call regarding an unresponsive infant. PREVIOUS | Infant dead after being found unresponsive at unlicensed daycare The victim's mother called 911 after arriving at the apartment to pick up her daughter. Upon arrival, the victim's mother found other children in the apartment crying, and Hernandez holding her daughter and putting water on her head, according to police. At that time, Hernandez told police through an interpreter she put the infant down for a nap at around 1:30 p.m. The infant never woke up, and the babysitter said she tried to get her to wake up for about 15 minutes but was unsuccessful. The child was taken to Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she was pronounced dead. According to authorities, a total of 10 children under the age of 3 were in the apartment that day. Hernandez admitted to running a babysitting service for several years, charging $25 per child. The Department of Human Services subsequently asked a judge to force the unlicensed daycare to close permanently. On another occasion when a DHS Childcare Licensing Consultant and a Department of Children's Services (DCS) investigator visited the home following the child's death, authorities said the babysitter admitted to regularly caring for up to six children unrelated to her at a time. RELATED | DHS asks judge to force unlicensed Nashville daycare to close after child's death According to police, an autopsy performed later determined the child's body contained the antihistamine Diphenhydramine, commonly used in medications like Benadryl, at nearly three times the amount recommended for an adult. Hernandez reportedly relocated to a residence on Zermatt Avenue and was arrested there, police said. Several children were found in that apartment at the time of her arrest. Hernandez's bond is set at $150,000. She is set to appear before a criminal court judge April 2, according to MNPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
