My dad is 66 years old and very active and young. An hour before he goes to bed he takes three Benadryl tablets totalling 75mg. He has been doing this every night for at least five years because he said if he doesn't he can't get to sleep. With them, he sleeps soundly.

 

I love him and I'm worried that long term usage might harm him.... Please let me know if I have to worry or not.

 

Bettina

Never mind

Benadryl = diphenhydramine in the US? (In the UK its acrivastine, a non sedating antihistamine). By itself shouldn't do much harm, but he'll need to be careful when he gets up in the morning, as diphenhydramine can cause a 'hangover' type effect. His doctor should really know about this, if for no other reason than he knows the whole picture. Personally I prefer zopiclone or zolpidem.

Benadryl is indeed diphenhydramine.

 

*flees away