MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Department of Pharmacy
Department of Nursing
Critical Care
| Generic Name: | Diphenhydramine |
| Trade Name: | Benadryl |
| Action: | Antihistamine |
| Indications: | Urticaria Dystonias Nausea / Vomiting Anxiety, Insomnia Anaphylaxis |
| Administration Guidelines: | |
| Usual Dosage Range and Route: | Single dose: 25 - 50 mg IVP repeated every
4 - 6 hours 24 hour cumulative dose: 400 mg |
| Special Considerations: | - Diphenhydramine cannot be given
subcutaneously; give either iv or deep intramuscular injection - For extravasation, refer to MGH nursing procedure manual - Caution: will potentiate actions and side effects of narcotics and other cns depressants |
| Precautions and Side Effects: |
- CNS depression - Use with caution in the elderly: - Tachycardia - Hallucinations, blurred vision - Nasal congestion, dry mouth |
revised 09/03