Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:46:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2015 13:42:10 GMT
My daughter recently had an appointment with an allergist to identify what's triggering some issues. The doctor asked her what she currently does when she has a breakout of hives (her usual issue). My daughter replied that she uses Benadryl to deal with it. the doctored cautioned her to avoid using Benadryl for any purpose because if you're involved in an accident and Benadryl is found in your system you can be charged with DUI.
If she had any clinical reason for not using Benadryl she didn't mention it.
I found this odd as I hadn't heard of anything like this so I knew it was something to throw out to the RefuPeas for discussion.
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Post by melodyesch on Jul 10, 2015 13:46:01 GMT
I don't know about the DUI part, but I know I cannot safely do anything after taking a benadryl and most cold medicines. It puts me out like a light. Even if I take one at night and get up to go to the bathroom, it's definitely as bad as being drunk. So for safety reasons, if I ever feel I need to take one I make sure I drive myself home first. But it doesn't affect my DH at all.
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Post by kandie on Jul 10, 2015 13:46:15 GMT
I would think any medication that would affect your reaction time or make you sleepy, would be cause for concern if you are in an accident or if an office thought you were impaired driving
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Jul 10, 2015 13:46:21 GMT
Benedryl does cause drowsiness... I cannot do anything after I take it. Totally knocks me out.
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Post by hop2 on Jul 10, 2015 13:46:38 GMT
The warning on the box say not to drive. And I know machinery operators ( bull dozers etc ) can not use it when working ( drug tests )
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gsquaredmom
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jul 10, 2015 13:56:16 GMT
A DUI is driving under the influence of anything that can impair you, including medications. In fact, in some states you can be tried and convicted of DUI even if you only APPEAR to be DUI, without any actual testing done.
So yes, the doctor is right. Benadryl and many medications can trigger a DUI, accident or not (if pulled over for another reason, for example).
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stittsygirl
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Post by stittsygirl on Jul 10, 2015 13:56:59 GMT
Benadryl and Sominex (a sleep aid) have the same active ingredient.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jul 10, 2015 14:01:42 GMT
I never thought about it, but it makes sense.
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Post by peano on Jul 10, 2015 14:06:23 GMT
Benadryl is used as a sleep med in hospitals.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:46:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2015 14:21:26 GMT
I should clarify that she was talking that as much as 24 hours after taking the meds it can still show in your bloodwork. I know not to take Benadryl and drive but I can take one or two at 9:00pm at night and be able to drive at 9:00am the next day. But if I were in an accident at 3:00pm, the medicine could be in my system and show up in bloodwork. Thus the potential DUI.
I hadn't thought about how long it could be found in one's blood work long after you don't feel any effects.
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Post by hollymolly on Jul 10, 2015 14:37:04 GMT
I should clarify that she was talking that as much as 24 hours after taking the meds it can still show in your bloodwork. I know not to take Benadryl and drive but I can take one or two at 9:00pm at night and be able to drive at 9:00am the next day. But if I were in an accident at 3:00pm, the medicine could be in my system and show up in bloodwork. Thus the potential DUI. I hadn't thought about how long it could be found in one's blood work long after you don't feel any effects. My ex used to take benedryl every single night as a sleep aid. 20 years ago my GP actually advised me to take it as often as I needed for sleep. It did make me extremely sleepy the next morning, so I don't use it as a sleep aid myself, but it's interesting to think XH was technically DUI for our entire marriage. |
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Post by melanell on Jul 10, 2015 14:46:48 GMT
I know nothing about the DUI aspect of it, but even one Benedryl knocks me right out. And to take two, like the box says that you can? Forget it. Only if I know that I have nothing to do and nowhere to go for at least 24 hours. So in that case I know that it is still definitely having an effect on me for many hours after I have taken it.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 10, 2015 14:58:46 GMT
I can't go to work if I've taken my meds for my back because I can't drive and they make me too loopy to do my work.
We can't have stricter DUI laws but expect exceptions. Laws need to be black and white to be enforceable.
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 10, 2015 15:00:18 GMT
Benedryl does cause drowsiness... I cannot do anything after I take it. Totally knocks me out. This is me. And I can only take 1. If I take 2 I'll never get up the next day. |
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Post by scrappyoutlaw on Jul 10, 2015 16:00:20 GMT
Yep, it's driving while impaired, it can be drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication
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Post by epeanymous on Jul 10, 2015 16:09:46 GMT
A medication that impairs your driving absolutely can lead to a DUI.
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 10, 2015 16:13:20 GMT
I'd still take Benedryl to offset any severe allergic reaction but I wouldn't then drive. The warning given by the doctor seems a bit over the top.
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MizIndependent
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Post by MizIndependent on Jul 10, 2015 16:26:46 GMT
DUI = driving under the influence. Doesn't have to be alcohol.
Benadryl knocks me on my ass, lol. I would think driving is really not a great idea while using it.
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Post by Fidget on Jul 10, 2015 16:32:40 GMT
I should clarify that she was talking that as much as 24 hours after taking the meds it can still show in your bloodwork. I know not to take Benadryl and drive but I can take one or two at 9:00pm at night and be able to drive at 9:00am the next day. But if I were in an accident at 3:00pm, the medicine could be in my system and show up in bloodwork. Thus the potential DUI. I hadn't thought about how long it could be found in one's blood work long after you don't feel any effects. I don't think blood work is typical to determine DUI, I doubt Benedryl will show on a breathalyzer test 8 hours after you've taken it. I would think that the effects of the Benedryl would be worn off if you take it at 9:00 pm and then drive to work at 8:00 AM. |
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 10, 2015 16:33:22 GMT
I take benadryl and I drive. I wish benadryl would make me sleepy, but it doesn't. I've heard of certain cold medicines and cough with codeine and dwi, but not benadryl. May have to rethink taking it.
Wouldn't they need to do a blood test to determine if the benadryl was in your system? How long do the effects last?
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valleyview
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Post by valleyview on Jul 10, 2015 16:36:42 GMT
Many states have expanded DUI laws to include drugs that potentially cause impairment, but are commonly taken. As far as impairment, police decide that, and if a drug shows up in bloodwork, you can be charged. If a doctor told you DD, then your state has benedryl listed.
ETA - breathalyzer tests respond to alcohol. Laws require blood tests when police think there is impairment. It also determines blood alcohol levels. Blood tests are common in DUI.
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Post by scrapqueen01 on Jul 10, 2015 16:43:45 GMT
In my state any sleep med or cold/allergy med can trigger a DUI. A man at my church had just gotten his license back from having a DUI. His doctor prescribed Ambian for sleep. He was one of these who would go to bed after taking it but get up during the night and didn't know it. One night he went driving. He lived alone so no one to stop him. The police followed him then pulled him over and he was charged with DUI which meant he lost his license again.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Jul 10, 2015 16:45:03 GMT
Agree with the above. There is no way I would try to drive if I took Benadryl. My dh on the other hand, gets hyper when he takes it and can't sleep.
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momto4kiddos
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jul 10, 2015 17:25:22 GMT
I should clarify that she was talking that as much as 24 hours after taking the meds it can still show in your bloodwork. I know not to take Benadryl and drive but I can take one or two at 9:00pm at night and be able to drive at 9:00am the next day. But if I were in an accident at 3:00pm, the medicine could be in my system and show up in bloodwork. Thus the potential DUI. I hadn't thought about how long it could be found in one's blood work long after you don't feel any effects. Interesting, hadn't heard of that, but i'd think it would be true with a lot of meds if they did a blood test. Many medications state not to drive or operate heavy machinery, etc. My ds has taken benadryl all his life for his allergies. We've never hit upon a 24 hour one that can get rid of his symptoms that well. Benadryl has always worked very well for him and his pediatrician always said to just go with it since he did well on it. He's one of those rare people who doesn't experience sleepiness when taking it. |
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Post by alexa11 on Jul 10, 2015 19:38:09 GMT
Benadryl and Sominex (a sleep aid) have the same active ingredient. Do they still make Sominex? I haven't heard of that product in years- since I was a little girl -long time ago. |
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mallie
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Post by mallie on Jul 10, 2015 19:45:01 GMT
In my state any sleep med or cold/allergy med can trigger a DUI. A man at my church had just gotten his license back from having a DUI. His doctor prescribed Ambian for sleep. He was one of these who would go to bed after taking it but get up during the night and didn't know it. One night he went driving. He lived alone so no one to stop him. The police followed him then pulled him over and he was charged with DUI which meant he lost his license again. ANy cold or allergy med? Wow. Let me know what state you live in so I know to never drive in it. (I truly can't function without my Zyrtec because otherwise I'd have snot running down my face, post-nasal drip that makes me vomit, and cloudy vision from all of the gunk in my eyes.) FTR, no allergy med or Benadryl has makes me drowsy. |
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Post by krazykatlady on Jul 10, 2015 20:06:20 GMT
I took Benedryl every night for 15 years to help me sleep. It doesn't knock me out but helps me to go to sleep and actually stay asleep for more than three to four hours which is what I'm dealing with now that I've given it up. I stopped taking Benedryl because they're now saying that prolonged use can lead to early dementia. I may already be doomed because I've taken it so long ... who knows. Just wanted to say that I never felt drowsy or impaired after a full night's sleep but I guess if it stays in your bloodstream for 24 hours I could have technically been DUI. Sigh. Now I'm just sleep deprived.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2015 20:08:30 GMT
I take benadryl and I drive. I wish benadryl would make me sleepy, but it doesn't. I've heard of certain cold medicines and cough with codeine and dwi, but not benadryl. May have to rethink taking it. Wouldn't they need to do a blood test to determine if the benadryl was in your system? How long do the effects last? I'm glad you posted because as I'm scrolling through people saying they're out with 1 or 2, I'm thinking to myself that I take 3 daily on a pretty regular basis during allergy season and have never felt it knocked me out or that I was impaired in any way.
(and btw...I don't take them at night...by lunchtime at the latest)
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stittsygirl
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Post by stittsygirl on Jul 10, 2015 20:16:54 GMT
Benadryl and Sominex (a sleep aid) have the same active ingredient. Do they still make Sominex? I haven't heard of that product in years- since I was a little girl -long time ago. I don't know, to tell the truth. I just looked to see what I had in the cupboard, and it's actually Unisom. It's still the same active ingredient though. |
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River
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Post by River on Jul 10, 2015 20:38:34 GMT
Benadryl and Sominex (a sleep aid) have the same active ingredient. Do they still make Sominex? I haven't heard of that product in years- since I was a little girl -long time ago.
It's available at my pharmacies.
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