Active ingredient(s):
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and Ammonium chloride
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using BENADRYL Original. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using BENADRYL Original.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using BENADRYL Original?
BENADRYL Original contains the active ingredients Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and
Ammonium chloride. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines.
It works by reducing common cold symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing and watery
eyes. It also helps suppress dry, raspy coughs by its action in the brain. Ammonium
chloride is an expectorant.
BENADRYL Original is used to relieve the symptoms of dry raspy coughs due to a cold.
2. What should I know before I use BENADRYL Original?
Warnings
Do not use BENADRYL Original if:
you are allergic to Diphenhydramine hydrochloride or other antihistamines, Ammonium
chloride, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness or breath, wheezing
or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips tongue or other parts of the body,
rash, itching or hives on the skin
you are younger than 6 years
you are having an asthma attack
have narrow-angle glaucoma
have duodenal or stomach ulcers or other stomach problems
have prostate problems
have bladder problems
have severe liver failure
have severe renal impairment
have taken other products containing sedating antihistamines.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist:
before using in children 6 years and over
if you have any other medical conditions
breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis
chronic obstructive airways disease
pneumonia
asthma
persistent or chronic coughs or coughs that produce a lot of mucus
liver or kidney disease
epilepsy
glaucoma.
if you take sedatives
if you take any medicines for any other condition
if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your pharmacist or doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking
the medicine if you are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with BENADRYL Original and affect how it works.
These include
medicines used to treat depression such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (especially
if taken within the last 14 days) and tricyclic antidepressants
medicines used to help you relax, sleep or relieve anxiety, such as tranquillizers,
sedatives and hypnotics
medicines with strong anticholinergic effects such as some travel sickness medicines,
medicines to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, and medicines used in Parkinson's disease
opioid analgesics used to treat pain
alcohol
betablockers (metroprolol), medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions
and prevent migraines.
You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect BENADRYL Original.
4. How do I use BENADRYL Original?
How much to take
The recommended dose of BENADRYL Original for children 6 years to 12 years is 5mL
every 4 hours as necessary. The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 years
is every 4 hours as necessary
Follow the instructions provided with the medicine.
Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how much
to take.
When to take BENADRYL Original
BENADRYL Original should be used every 4 hours as necessary.
How to take BENADRYL Original
Measure the recommended dose in a medicine measure and swallow.
Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist or doctor carefully. This may
differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you forget to take it and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, you may take a dose
as soon as you remember if you think you need it. Do not take a double dose to make
up for the dose that you missed.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your pharmacist or doctor
for help.
If you use too much BENADRYL Original
If you think that you have used too much BENADRYL Original, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using BENADRYL Original?
Things you should do
Stop use an talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms persist, worsen, or
if new symptoms occur. Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your condition and decide
if you should continue to take the medicine.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using BENADRYL Original.
Things you should not do
Do not take BENADRYL Original to treat any other complaints unless your pharmacist
or doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your pharmacist or doctor tells
you to.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how BENADRYL
Original affects you.
BENADRYL Original may cause dizziness in some people .
If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol.
Do not take alcohol while using BENADRYL Original. The sedative effects of alcohol
may be increased.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your medicine in the original pack until it is time to take.
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people. Children and people over
65 years if age may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
7. Product details
This medicine is available over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription.
What BENADRYL Original contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Ammonium chloride
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
Sucrose
Glucose-liquid
Glycerol
Sodium citrate
Raspberry flavour
Citric acid monohydrate
Saccharin sodium
Menthol
Allura Red FC
Brilliant Blue FCF
Sodium benzoate
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What BENADRYL Original looks like
BENADRYL Original is a clear slightly opalescent dark red liquid with raspberry flavour.
(Aust R 199371).
Who distributes BENADRYL Original
Johnson & Johnson Pacific
45 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
Australia
Phone: 1800 029979
This leaflet was prepared in Dec 2023.