Introduction

Name

• Diphenhydramine.

Class of drug

• Ethanolamine antihistamine.

Description

Chemical name

• 2-diphenylmethoxy-N,N-dimethylethylethanamine.

Molecular formula

• C17H21NO.

Physical properties

• Powder that darkens with light exposure.
• Bitter tasting.

Storage requirements

• Room temperature.

Uses

Indications

• A component of some cough suppressants and is used in the management of coughing.
• Reduces pruritus and vomiting (antihistaminic (H1) effects); effective in preventing motion sickness.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• CNS depressant drugs.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Hofmeister E H & Egger C M (2005) Evaluation of diphenhydramine as a sedative for dogs. JAVMA 226 (7), 1092-1094 PubMed.
• Scott D W & Miller W H Jr. (1993) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the management of canine allergic pruritus. J S Afr Vet Assoc 64 (1), 52-56 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Based on Small Animal Formulary. Tennant, Bryn (1999) 3rd edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.