PlainPill
MedicationSleepAnxietyFocus

Benadryl

People mainly take Benadryl for sleep, anxiety, focus. Based on 25 first-hand reports and 1 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #433 of 1,974 overall.

Compare with…Alternatives for sleep
28
User score
Mixed
24% positive24% mixed28% negative24% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 32% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
1
meta-analyses
13
RCTs
448
papers

What Benadryl does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

Sleep92% of 12Anxiety50% of 4
2 more with fewer than 3 reports
Focus0% of 2Recovery100% of 1
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2015 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Haloperidol for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in palliative care patients

Conclusion: Since the last version of this review, we found one new study for inclusion but the conclusion remains unchanged. There is incomplete evidence from published RCTs to determine the effectiveness of haloperidol for nausea and vomiting in palliative care. Other than the trial of ABH gel vs placebo, we did not identify any fully published RCTs exploring the effectiveness of haloperidol for nausea and vomiting in palliative care patients for this update, but two trials are underway.

PubMed 26524474 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

occasionallyas reported
10 mgas reported
occasionalas reported
every 6 hoursas reported
2-4 pills2-3x daily
2 tabsas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

brain fog ×2drowsiness ×2anticholinergic ×1oversleep ×1hangover ×1daytime fatigue ×1sinus issues ×1vivid dreams ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“I hate to rely on it, but our old friend Benadryl works pretty well.”
Source discussion ↗
“I'll also take a Benedryll on occasion as a sleep aid if need be”
Source discussion ↗
“Benadryl isn't bad to take.”
Source discussion ↗
“Benadryl messed it up mainly.”
Source discussion ↗
“benadryl or a GABA booster would be fine while adjusting”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

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User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate