Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

DS was diagnosed with roseola this week, but the rash got so bad in some places he broke skin scratching, so one of the peds suggested benadryl. He's had it before, not a lot but small doses a handful of times. We gave it yesterday at noon and it helped him not scratch, so we figured ok we'll give a second dose before bed so he can be comfortable. We waited over 8 hours between doses and gave a bit less than recommended, just because it's a strong drug.

About 2 hour after going to bed DS started to get agitated in his sleep. After 45 min tossing/turning, he woke up in a FULL PANIC, like, the worst panic attack or a bad trip from a high you've ever seen. it lasted FOUR HOURS. We were on the phone with the on call service like 4 times, they said since his breathing was okay and no face swelling we didnt need to go to the ER (though I considered it multiple times and only decided not to because he was already panicking so much I couldn't begin to imagine what the ER would do to help.) It was AWFUL. The worst thing I've experienced with him, and he's had pneumonia and asthma attacks before. He finally calmed down and fell asleep after the med wore off, and he seems okay this morning (he remembers it happening and says "a bad thing happened last night.")

He's 3, and like I said he's had benadryl before, but not often and I guess we've never given back to back doses before? Anyone experienced anything like this?

Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

My ds has a reaction to Advil. I never give at night because it makes him hyper. So it may be something like that.

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

I have had similar experiences with Benedryl myself. I won't take it bc of the way it makes me feel- like I want to crawl out of my skin, super restless and jumpy and on edge.

The one and only time my daughter took Benedryl-for a big bite- she broke out in a rash all over. The ped said an actual allergic reaction to Benedryl was rare, but couldn't be ruled out, so he prescribed another medication to help with the itching from the bite. I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, it was Rx only, hydra-something? But there are alternatives worth asking about.

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

My boys both get hyped up on Benadryl. I can never give it without bracing for crazy hyper behavior.

Albuterol made my oldest get like you described...seeing things and all...crazy stuff.

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

It is actually really common in kids. My son was put on Nasonex in 2015, the dr warned me that it can cause some major behavior and sleep disturbances. Thankfully it didn't happen that badly. My son use to get severe night terrors and they came back for the first few weeks he was on the nasonex. Benadryl use to HYPE him up. Then I found the right dose... It is really scary when this happens..

Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Allegra I think made DD nuts. Bat shit crazy lol. Could have been Claritin. I can't remember

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Sending hus

That sounds awful :(

Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

That sounds so scary. I actually feel crazy when I take Sudafed. It cleared up my sinuses and then made me feel like my heart was going to explode with anxiety. I hope ur son is feeling much better today.

Re: Anyone's child had an adverse (not allergic) reaction to Benadryl? Last night was so scary....

Was his heart racing? I know for me it has a similar effect as too much caffeine.

Also that sounds terrible as the parent to have to see him like that. We had a very scary experience here where J was in the ER last weekend and I really think these things are harder on the parents than kids, on net.