Diphenhydramine belongs to a group of medications known as antihistamines. Antihistamines are used to treat symptoms caused by Allergies, including itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and skin irritation. Diphenhydramine also causes drowsiness, and can be used by adults and children 12 years of age and older who occasionally have trouble sleeping (Insomnia). The effects of diphenhydramine can last for up to 6 hours.

If you have trouble sleeping, do not take Sleep Eze D for more than a few nights in a row. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options suitable for you if you have chronic (long-term) insomnia that persists for more than a few nights at a time.

Sleep Eze D may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Sleep Eze D may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Sleep Eze D may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Sleep Eze D for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Sleep Eze D, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Sleep Eze D without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Sleep Eze D to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Sleep Eze D if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual dose for adults and children 12 years of age and older to help with sleep is 25 mg to 50 mg taken by mouth at bedtime. Some people may only need to take 25 mg at bedtime if they are drowsy in the morning (e.g., they find it interferes with their daily activities) after taking the 50 mg dose.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Sleep Eze D exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Store Sleep Eze D at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Sleep Eze D with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Sleep Eze D. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• chest congestion
• Constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth, nose, and throat
• headache
• inability to concentrate
• increased perspiration
• nausea or vomiting
• restlessness
• upset stomach

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• decreased muscle coordination
• difficulty in passing urine
• excitation (especially in children)
• insomnia
• muscle weakness
• nervousness
• rapid heart rate
• vision problems

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest tightness
• skin rash or Hives
• wheezing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Sleep Eze D.

Sleep Eze D is available as 25 mg and 50 mg caplets, 50  mg gelcap, and 50 mg/30 mL liquid preparation.

Do not take Sleep Eze D if you:

• are allergic to diphenhydramine or any ingredients of the medication
• have an enlarged prostate
• have an obstructed bladder
• have Asthma or chronic lung disease
• have certain stomach conditions (e.g., stenosing peptic ulcer or pyloroduodenal obstruction)
• have narrow-angle Glaucoma
• have taken an antidepressant medication known as a MAO inhibitor (e.g., Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Linezolid) within the past 2 weeks

There may be an interaction between diphenhydramine and any of the following:

• aclidinium
• alcohol
• Alfuzosin
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Atomoxetine
• atropine
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• belladonna
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Benztropine
• botulinum toxins
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• Captopril
• Carvedilol
• chloral hydrate
• chloroquine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Degarelix
• Dextromethorphan
• Disopyramide
• dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Donepezil
• Doxorubicin
• dronabinol
• Dronedarone
• efavirenz
• Flavoxate
• Flecainide
• Galantamine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• glycopyrrolate
• hyaluronidase
• ipratropium
• ketotifen
• lopinavir
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• magnesium sulfate
• Methadone
• methamphetamine
• Metoprolol
• Mexiletine
• mifepristone
• Minocycline
• Mirabegron
• Mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nefazodone
• Olopatadine
• other antihistamines (e.g,. cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• Oxybutynin
• Perampanel
• Pimozide
• potassium chloride
• Pramipexole
• procainamide
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, sparfloxacin)
• rilpivirine
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• Rufinamide
• scopolamine
• secretin
• seizure medications (e.g., Clobazam, Ethosuximide, felbamate, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin agonists (e.g., Dolasetron, Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• Sotalol
• Tamoxifen
• Tapentadol
• thalidomide
• Timolol
• tiotropium
• Tolterodine
• topiramate
• Tramadol
• tranylcypromine
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Imipramine, Nortriptyline)
• tyrosine kinase inhbitors (e.g., Lapatinib, Pazopanib, Sunitinib)
• umeclidinium
• Venlafaxine
• Voriconazole
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Sleep Eze D. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Sleep Eze D.

Bladder or urinary problems: Diphenhydramine can worsen symptoms of bladder problems. If you have a history of bladder problems, discuss with your doctor how Sleep Eze D may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sleep Eze D, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Avoid driving or operating machinery until you have determined that you do not become drowsy during the day or experience impaired mental or physical abilities while taking Sleep Eze D. Alcohol, sedatives, and pain medications can increase the side effects (e.g., drowsiness, inability to concentrate) of Sleep Eze D. Do not undertake any activities that require alertness until you know how Sleep Eze D affects you.

High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Sleep Eze D may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sleep Eze D, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Lung problems: Sleep Eze D can make breathing problems worse. If you have lung problems such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (COPD), discuss with your doctor how Sleep Eze D may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sleep Eze D, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical conditions: For some people, insomnia is caused by other medical conditions. If you have trouble sleeping for longer than 2 weeks, contact your doctor before taking Sleep Eze D.

Thyroid disease: People with thyroid disease should discuss with their doctor how Sleep Eze D may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sleep Eze D, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Sleep Eze D should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Sleep Eze D may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking diphenhydramine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Diphenhydramine is not recommended for use as a Sleep Aid for children less than 12 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors may experience more side effects with Sleep Eze D. Talk to your doctor before taking Sleep Eze D.