Benadryl and Advil PM and Weight Gain?

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.

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.

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

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.

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

jeeeeez really...how much is overuse?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!!!

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!

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.

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.