Why has my veterinarian prescribed Diphenhydramine for cats and dogs?

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to prevent the symptoms of allergies. This medication may also be used for its sedative effect to calm an animal and prevent itching associated with an allergic response. This medication may be used for other conditions as determined by your veterinarian.

How do I give Diphenhydramine for cats and dogs?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed.
• DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.

What do I do if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.

How do I store Diphenhydramine for cats and dogs?

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
• Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not freeze the oral solution.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

What are the potential side effects?

"Your pet may be very tired or drowsy, have a dry mouth and develop urinary retention."

• Your pet may be very tired or drowsy, have a dry mouth and develop urinary retention. If these symptoms are troublesome, contact your veterinarian.
• Drowsiness may diminish over time.
• Less common side effects include diarrhea, vomiting and a lack of appetite.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

Are there any possible drug interactions?

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and sometimes a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• The following drugs can potentially interact with diphenhydramine: other CNS depressants, heparin, warfarin, and epinephrine.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

REMEMBER! READ THE LABEL.

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Generic) Antihistamine for Cats and Dogs

Trade Names:

Benadryl®

General Description:

What is Diphenhydramine hydrochloride antihistamine for Cats and Dogs?

An antihistamine

• Given by mouth

Reasons for prescribing:

• Used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as: snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee strings and insect bites, and the management of itchy skin
• Used in the treatment of mast cell tumors
• Useful in the treatment of motion sickness
• Causes drowsiness, so may be used as a mild tranquilizer
• Readily available and inexpensive

What pets should not take Diphenhydramine hydrochloride antihistamine for Cats and Dogs?

• Safety in pregnant or nursing pets is unknown
• Use with caution in pets with heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, asthma, urinary obstruction, prostate disease or those with an obstruction of the pylorus
• If your pet has had an allergic reaction to diphenhydramine or like products

Directions:

Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. It is usually given up to three times daily. Ideally, give the medication at the same time(s) daily.

Shake liquids before using and measure the dose carefully.

Slow-release capsules should not be mixed or dissolved in food.

Do not give sinus or cold medications containing diphenhydramine to your pet. They can be lethal to your pet.

What if a dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving Diphenhydramine hydrochloride antihistamine for Cats and Dogs?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• What are the risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Storage and Warnings:

Some oral liquids contain alcohol. Do not use these formulations in your pet.

Store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom as it is sensitive to moisture. Do not allow the liquids to freeze.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets.

Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects:

• Causes drowsiness. This effect lessens over time. Do not use in working dogs as it may cause too much sedation.
• Can cause dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and inability to urinate
• Cats may experience hyperexcitability or agitation
• Diphenhydramine tastes terrible. Getting cats to accept it can be quite a challenge.
• This medication interferes with allergic skin testing. Check with your veterinary dermatologist when to discontinue diphenhydramine in advance of allergy testing.
• If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian

Can Diphenhydramine hydrochloride antihistamine for Cats and Dogs be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur with epinephrine, MAOIs, metoclopramide, oral anticoagulants (ex. heparin, warfarin) and tranquillizers
• Human products containing antihistamines are often combined with pain relievers. These combination products should not be used in animals.
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet receives more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, diphenhydramine should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about diphenhydramine. If you have any questions or concerns about diphenhydramine or the condition it was prescribed for, contact your veterinarian.