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Safety Alert: Diphenhydramine
Medication Error: Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel Mistaken for Benadryl Oral Liquid
What does this mean?
Most Benadryl products are available in a pill or oral liquid form and are widely used for allergies or cold symptoms. If you are using an oral liquid form of Benadryl, please read the label carefully to make sure you have purchased the intended product and are using it correctly. If you have any questions about the label information or are still unsure about how to use the product, please be sure to ask your pharmacist.
The Institute for Safe Medicine Practices (ISMP) warns about BENADRYL ITCH STOPPING GEL being swallowed instead of used as intended by spreading on the skin to treat itching caused by a rash or hives. Reports suggest that the over-the-counter product Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel is being mistaken for Oral Liquid Benadryl because it is provided in a 4 ounce bottle that is the same shape and size as the oral liquid, and the liquid gel has a thickness that is similar to an oral liquid.
Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel contains both diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) and camphor. When swallowed, camphor can cause throat and stomach symptoms including burning of the mouth and throat, nausea, and vomiting. More serious symptoms include irritability, confusion, seizures, coma, and difficulty breathing. According to reports sent to the FDA, people swallowing Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel have had serious reactions that required hospitalization or an emergency-room visit. It is not clear whether the symptoms were due to the camphor component or to Benadryl itself since the symptoms can be similar.
For more information about this alert, please visit ISMP ConsumerMedSafety:
