Benadryl and Advil PM and Weight Gain?

Avasmama2000

I just read some unfortunate news regarding Benadryl and Advil PM. I have been taking Benadryl for allergy issues occasionally and Advil PM for sleeping regularly and they both apparently are linked to WEIGHT GAIN! Yikes! They also are known to be apatite stimulants. I think it's time I cut both of them out of my system. Has anyone else heard of this?

AnnInTexas

Holy cow! I take Advil PM all the time... guess I better find something else!

mlewon

Never have.. But it makes sense. My mom just recently lost a bunch of weight but had steadily gained before that and was an avid before bed benedryl taker.

I wonder if that's one of the things she changed..

I've never had an issue with it being an athlete, but I know it makes me feel sluggish the next morning so that could also play into the fact that it increases weight gain.

wolfi622

Pretty much all antihistamines (which are also in the "PM" pain relievers) have that effect.

Susabelle64

I havent heard about that, but if you are looking for something other than benedryl try pseudofed. You have to ask the pharmacist for it, but I use it for my allergies and it works better and doesnt make me sleepy..

ETA: Also, if you are looking for something to help you sleep, I use melatonin.

manda1028

they always make me get the munchies once i get that tired feeling. how weird, i thought it was just me. and i do take them both pretty regularly.. one or the other.. to sleep and to sleep better w/o allergies.

PicNic00

diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in both products. Sometime weight gain can happen with overuse of this product.

BAMFMeredith

If you need help sleeping, try melatonin. It's a lot gentler on your system than Advil PM and is a natural supplement.

I used to have to take it every night, but since I cut processed food outta my diet and stuck to clean eating/working out regularly, I sleep like a rock almost every night without help. I notice I have lesser quality sleep when I eat crappy one day...

I take adderall for ADHD, so for me to be able to sleep through the night and sleep soundly without any kind of help is pretty amazing!

mlewon

Also- as an alternative:

Reset your sleeping schedule with melatonin!

It's something your body naturally creates to help you feel drowsy, but if you don't feel drowsy at night you might not be producing it correctly or enough!

By taking melatonin an hour to two hours before you want to fall asleep each day for two weeks, it can reset your internal sleep clock and you can fall asleep without an aid.

I've done it and it can be done twice a year to keep you on track. The only catch is that you really want to stick to going to bed around the same time each night (say between 930-11) because your body has to regulate itself.

Krushchev

Also- as an alternative:

Reset your sleeping schedule with melatonin!

It's something your body naturally creates to help you feel drowsy, but if you don't feel drowsy at night you might not be producing it correctly or enough!

By taking melatonin an hour to two hours before you want to fall asleep each day for two weeks, it can reset your internal sleep clock and you can fall asleep without an aid.

I've done it and it can be done twice a year to keep you on track. The only catch is that you really want to stick to going to bed around the same time each night (say between 930-11) because your body has to regulate itself.

So, taking my melatonin with all my other vitamins in the morning was probably a bad idea? /sigh...

SASSYJAX

CRIKEY im in shock...
I take 50mg of diphenhydramine most nights and cetrizine htdrochloride anti histamine....

jeeeeez really...how much is overuse?

saustin201

I've tried taking melatonin and it gives me horrible headaches, even when I take the 1mg tablet.

ShrinkinMel

Not sure if they do but both are VERY drying to your body so I don't see how it can be water weight at least. Not saying impossible though I've seen some crazy stuff with meds unfortunately, with all the reactions I've had with claritin. Advil to eliminate inflammation and pain. If you don't have either I'd try something else for sleeping like melatonin and or a valarian and chamomile tea or in pill form if you don't like the taste. I have done melatonin on many occasions and it relaxes me to sleep quite easily once I get in a dark or dim room.

Avasmama2000

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful feedback! I really appreciate your kindness.

sabinecbauer

To handle your allergies in a drug-free way, try acupuncture. My sister had severe hayfever and obviously couldn't take allergy medication during pregnancy. So she decided to give acupuncture a try. Her allergies were completely gone for about three years; when they reared their ugly head again she had an acupuncture 'refresher.' Works great for her.

Smuterella

Oh, not another drug I have to give up. Sigh.

LorinaLynn

I take Benadryl nightly and had no problem losing weight. I take it right before bed with chocolate milk, so I'm already asleep before any munchies might set in.

gymmgirl

I have never read that! But one thing I dd learn was that taking advil or excedrin pm to sleep (which I did too) isn't good because the advil or excedrin part of the drug is bad for the liver. so if you need something for sleep, the plain old sominex had just the sleep medicine. Also, if you take melatonin on a regular basis, your body will stop making its own, so that should only be used occasionally. I had years of sleep problems because of night sweats, and stress, and I've found breathing exercises (pranyama) and chakra chants (I have a cd that is perfect), and also progressive muscle relaxation.

lauralind5

Advil is an evil thing !! It makes me retain fluid and it also contributed to a blood clotting disorder ! (unable to clot)

missym357

I take benedryl pretty frequently and I do not have a weight problem. I'm just one person though so take it for what it's worth.

kaydensmom12

Antihistamines can cause weight gain because of its appetite stimulant activity and its sedation. If you are watching what you eat and watching your activity level then you will not gain weight. They do not change your metabolism, therefore can not make you magically gain weight. Anything that causes sedation will usually have weight gain as a side effect, antihistamines are often used as anxiety/sleeping aids.

Sarahbara76

I am very allergic to almost everything I live on Antihistamines ..ughhh no wonder I am hungry all the dang time!! I do take them at night and then have a hard time getting my heart rate up the next day when I go to work out!!

DreamsMadeUp

In the long run, yes, it is possible for Benadryl and Advil/Tylenol PM medicines to cause weight gain

Allergy drugs containing diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl) have a sedating effect that saps your energy if you take them regularly. You’re not as active, so you’re burning fewer calories. You’ll also find that common culprit, diphenhydramine, in over-the-counter sleep aids, such as Tylenol Simply Sleep, Sominex, or Nytol, or “nighttime” versions of cold and pain medicines, like Sudafed PE Nighttime Cold or Excedrin PM.

These drugs also contain Antihistamines which may increase appetite, resulting in weight gain. So you'll reach for more food before bed, packing on extra calories.

I wouldn't recommend Melatonin because it's a hormone and by taking too much it could eventually mess up the regular production of Melatonin your body produces, building a tolerance, thus causing you to take more, and getting you hooked to sleep.

I recommend Valerian Root. It smells awful, but not only is Valerian root extract a beneficial herb in a time of stress and anxiety, the herb also has a high content of calcium. Valerian root offers a natural way to help calm the nervous system. It will help you relax and fall asleep faster. However, after taking if for several months you should switch to something else or taper off because it could cause insomnia. ALWAYS follow the label regardless of what you're taking. Over dose may include irritability, excitement, headaches, and even hallucinations.

TyFit08

I take Benadryl regularly for allergies. I have read that the weight gain can result due to the lack of energy since it makes you sleepy. I don't think I eat more, because usually not long after I take it I'm knocked out. So no time for late night munchies. I would love to not have to take it, but for the last few months I have suffered from severe allergies and will rip my skin off if I don't take it.

dawnmitch50

Advil PM gives me the munchies at night. I get so hungry that I raid my frig and eat everything. I am going to try the melatonin to try and help myself get regulated on my sleep. I exercise all the time, but am not losing any weight because I eat at night. Hopefully this will work. I am getting desperate!!!

ShadowKat6047

Yes. Drugs such as diphenhydramine and melatonin raise corisol levels in your body. And that can lead to weight gain and a host of other issues. Unfortunately I have been taking both by the handfuls in the past 6 or 7 years. Now I know why I have gained weight despite no major diet changes.

sugar297

I am very happy to hear this since I have been taking Benedryl at least a few nights a week. And I have not been able to lose any weight!

Liftng4Lis

Wow, thanks for the wake up! Had no clue.

tempXT81

This is an older thread- but, it would help greatly for those making claims to include sources for their information. There's a lot of information here based on personal experiences of which, is helpful. However, the research I've found otherwise for some of the comments beyond personal experience were based on studies i.e., with only 14 people or apply only to postmenopausal women with prolonged use. So, the statements beyond personal experience were applied as a norm to a very small group and not an entire, statistically-based, general population. I suggest researching journal articles on some of these statements before taking some seriously.

wantoldme

I take Benadryl during the week but I don't think it increases my appetite. I don't take it on the weekend and I haven't noticed a difference. I just know Benadryl stops me getting sinus headaches better than Zyrtec or Allegra.

PaulaWallaDingDong

Let your results be your guide. Just because a headline says it doesn't make it true for every person.

ETA: And I've been baited into a necro thread once again.