Benadryl vs. Vistaril

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) are antihistamines used to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Benadryl is also used to treat insomnia, motion sickness, and mild cases of Parkinsonism.

Vistaril is also used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension, or to control nausea and vomiting. Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia.

Benadryl is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC) while Vistaril is available by prescription.

Side effects of Benadryl include:

• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• tiredness,
• sleepiness,
• dizziness,
• disturbed coordination,
• constipation,
• dry mouth/nose/throat,
• difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate,
• upset stomach,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• tremor,
• loss of appetite,
• headache, or
• nausea.

Common side effects of Vistaril include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• stomach upset,
• or headache.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Vistaril including:

• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck,
• tremors (uncontrolled shaking),
• confusion,
• or seizures (convulsions).

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used to treat allergies, hives, insomnia, motion sickness, and mild cases of Parkinsonism.

What is Vistaril?

Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties used as a sedative to treat anxiety and tension. Vistaril is also used together with other medications given for anesthesia. Vistaril may also be used to control nausea and vomiting, or to treat allergic skin reactions such as hives or contact dermatitis.

Benadryl may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

Benadryl may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Vistaril may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

A typical dose of Benadryl is 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours. Benadryl may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications, anxiety or sleep medicines, antidepressants, or any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Benadryl has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Benadryl is secreted in breast milk. Because of the risk of stimulation and seizures in infants, especially newborns and premature infants, antihistamines should not be used by nursing mothers.

The recommended dose of Vistaril for treating itch (pruritus) is 25 mg, 3 or 4 times daily. For sedation, the recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg. The dose to treat anxiety and tension is 50 to 100 mg 4 times daily.