Banophen is an over-the-counter medicine that contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine. It is commonly used to temporarily relieve symptoms caused by hay fever, upper respiratory allergies or the common cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes and itching of the nose or throat.
Banophen can cause marked drowsiness and should be used carefully. Do not use it with other products that contain diphenhydramine, including products used on the skin, unless a healthcare professional says it is safe. Do not use Banophen or any diphenhydramine product to make a child sleepy.
What is Banophen?
Banophen is a brand of diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a chemical involved in allergy symptoms, but it can also enter the brain and cause sedation, drowsiness and impaired coordination.
Banophen may be sold in different strengths, including 25 mg and 50 mg capsules. Always check the label on your specific package because directions can vary by strength, age and product type.
What is Banophen used for?
Banophen may be used to temporarily relieve symptoms due to hay fever, upper respiratory allergies or the common cold, including:
- Runny nose.
- Sneezing.
- Itchy, watery eyes.
- Itching of the nose or throat.
Some diphenhydramine products are also marketed as nighttime sleep aids, but not every Banophen product is labeled for sleep. Use the product only for the purpose listed on your package label or recommended by a healthcare professional.
What is the active ingredient in Banophen?
The active ingredient in Banophen capsules is usually diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Diphenhydramine belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines.
| Feature | Banophen information |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Diphenhydramine hydrochloride |
| Drug class | Antihistamine |
| Common strengths | 25 mg or 50 mg capsules, depending on product |
| Availability | Over the counter |
| Main concern | Drowsiness, duplicate ingredients, overdose risk and anticholinergic side effects |
How does Banophen work?
Banophen works by blocking histamine. Histamine is released during allergic reactions and contributes to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching and watery eyes.
Diphenhydramine also has sedating and anticholinergic effects. This means it can cause sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, difficulty urinating and confusion in some people, especially older adults or people taking other sedating medicines.
Banophen dosage basics
Always follow the Drug Facts label on your specific Banophen package. The dose depends on the strength of the capsule and the age of the person taking it.
| Product strength | Common label directions | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Banophen 25 mg | Adults and children 12 years and over may be directed to take 1 to 2 capsules every 4 to 6 hours. | Do not take more than 6 doses in 24 hours. Children 6 to under 12 may have different directions. Do not use in children under 6 unless directed. |
| Banophen 50 mg | Adults and children 12 years and over may be directed to take 1 capsule every 4 to 6 hours. | Children under 12 should ask a doctor because the proper dosage strength may not be available in that package. |
Do not take more than directed. Taking extra diphenhydramine can be dangerous and may cause severe drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, heart rhythm problems, breathing problems or collapse.
Can you take Banophen every day?
Banophen is usually intended for short-term symptom relief. If you feel you need diphenhydramine every day for allergies, sleep, itching or cold symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional.
Long-term or frequent use may not be appropriate for everyone, especially older adults, people with glaucoma, urinary problems, breathing conditions, heart disease, liver disease or people taking other sedating medicines.
Common side effects of Banophen
Banophen can cause side effects. Some are common and may improve as the medicine wears off, while others may need medical attention.
Possible side effects include:
- Drowsiness or sleepiness.
- Dizziness.
- Dry mouth, nose or throat.
- Blurred vision.
- Constipation.
- Nausea or stomach discomfort.
- Headache.
- Thickened mucus or bronchial secretions.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Problems with coordination.
- Restlessness or excitement, especially in children.
Do not drive, use machinery or do activities requiring alertness until you know how Banophen affects you.
Serious side effects and warning signs
Stop using Banophen and seek medical help if you develop serious symptoms such as:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Hives or severe rash.
- Severe dizziness or fainting.
- Confusion or hallucinations.
- Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat.
- Seizure.
- Severe sleepiness or being difficult to wake.
- Trouble urinating.
- Sudden eye pain or vision changes.
Severe symptoms, overdose concerns or breathing problems should be treated as urgent.
Banophen and drowsiness
Drowsiness is one of the most important safety concerns with Banophen. Diphenhydramine can impair thinking, reaction time and coordination. This effect may be stronger if Banophen is taken with alcohol, sleep medicines, anxiety medicines, opioid pain medicines, muscle relaxants or other sedating drugs.
Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking Banophen. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining it with any medicine that can cause sleepiness.
Do not combine Banophen with other diphenhydramine products
Many products contain diphenhydramine. Some are used for allergies, colds, itching, motion sickness or sleep. Some topical creams and gels may also contain diphenhydramine.
Do not use Banophen with any other product containing diphenhydramine, even one used on the skin, unless a healthcare professional tells you to. Combining products can lead to accidentally taking too much.
Who should ask a doctor before using Banophen?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Banophen if you:
- Have glaucoma.
- Have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate or another condition.
- Have a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
- Have asthma, COPD or other lung disease.
- Have heart disease or abnormal heart rhythm.
- Have liver disease.
- Are pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Are 65 years or older.
- Take sedatives, tranquilizers, sleep medicines, opioids, muscle relaxants or anxiety medicines.
- Take other allergy, cold, flu or sleep products.
Children may react differently to diphenhydramine. It can sometimes cause excitability rather than sleepiness. Do not use Banophen to make a child sleepy.
Banophen in older adults
Older adults may be more sensitive to diphenhydramine side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention.
These effects may increase the risk of falls, accidents or confusion. Older adults should ask a healthcare professional before using Banophen, especially if they take other medicines or have memory problems, glaucoma, urinary problems or heart conditions.
Banophen interactions
Banophen can interact with other medicines and substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal products.
Important interaction concerns include:
- Alcohol: can increase drowsiness and impaired coordination.
- Sleep medicines: may cause excessive sedation.
- Anxiety medicines or benzodiazepines: can increase sedation and fall risk.
- Opioid pain medicines: may increase sedation and breathing risk.
- Muscle relaxants: can worsen drowsiness and coordination problems.
- Other antihistamines: can increase anticholinergic side effects.
- Cold, flu or sleep products: may contain duplicate diphenhydramine.
- Anticholinergic medicines: can increase dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and urinary problems.
Ask a pharmacist before using Banophen with any multi-symptom cold, flu or nighttime product.
Can Banophen be used as a sleep aid?
Some diphenhydramine products are marketed for occasional sleeplessness, but Banophen products may be labeled primarily for allergy or cold symptoms. Use the medicine only according to the label on your package.
If sleep problems continue, do not keep increasing the dose or using diphenhydramine long term without medical advice. Ongoing insomnia may need evaluation for stress, sleep apnea, medicines, pain, depression, caffeine use or other causes.
Can children take Banophen?
Children should use Banophen only according to the package label or a doctor’s instructions. Some 25 mg diphenhydramine labels include directions for children 6 to under 12 years, while 50 mg capsules may not provide the proper dosage strength for children under 12.
Do not use Banophen in children under 6 years of age unless a doctor specifically tells you to. Do not give diphenhydramine to make a child sleepy.
What happens if you take too much Banophen?
Taking too much Banophen can be dangerous. Diphenhydramine overdose may cause severe sleepiness, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, seizures, trouble breathing, coma or death.
High doses of diphenhydramine have been associated with serious heart problems, seizures, coma and death. If someone took too much Banophen, contact Poison Control or emergency services right away.
What to do in a possible Banophen overdose
If you think someone took too much Banophen or another diphenhydramine product:
- Call Poison Control or your local poison center right away.
- Call emergency services if the person is hard to wake, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, collapses, has chest pain or is severely confused.
- Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
- Do not try to make the person vomit unless Poison Control or emergency services tells you to.
- Have the medicine bottle available so you can report the strength and amount taken.
In the United States, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. If you are outside the United States, use your local poison center or emergency number.
Can Banophen be taken with other allergy medicines?
Do not combine Banophen with other antihistamines unless a doctor or pharmacist says it is safe. Combining allergy medicines can increase side effects and may lead to accidental overdose if ingredients overlap.
If Banophen does not control your allergy symptoms, ask a pharmacist about non-sedating antihistamines or other options rather than taking extra doses.
Can Banophen be taken with cold or flu medicine?
Be very careful. Many cold and flu products contain antihistamines, sleep aids, pain relievers, decongestants or cough suppressants. Some may contain diphenhydramine or another sedating antihistamine.
Read all labels carefully and ask a pharmacist before combining Banophen with a cold, flu, nighttime or sleep product.
When to stop using Banophen and ask a doctor
Stop using Banophen and ask a doctor if:
- Symptoms do not improve.
- Symptoms get worse.
- New symptoms appear.
- You develop a rash, swelling or trouble breathing.
- You feel very drowsy, confused or unsteady.
- You have trouble urinating.
- You develop fast heartbeat or chest discomfort.
- You may have taken too much.
For severe symptoms, use emergency services.
Questions to ask your pharmacist
Before using Banophen, you may want to ask:
- Which strength do I have: 25 mg or 50 mg?
- Is this product safe with my current medicines?
- Could any of my other products contain diphenhydramine?
- Is Banophen appropriate for my age and health conditions?
- Should I avoid driving after taking it?
- Can I take it with my cold or flu medicine?
- Is there a less-drowsy option for allergies?
- When should I call a doctor?
Quick summary
- Banophen contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
- It is an antihistamine used for allergy and cold symptoms.
- It can cause significant drowsiness and impaired coordination.
- Do not combine it with other diphenhydramine products, including topical products.
- Do not use Banophen to make a child sleepy.
- Ask a doctor before use if you have glaucoma, breathing problems, urinary problems or take sedatives.
- Overdose can be dangerous and may require Poison Control or emergency care.
Frequently asked questions
What is Banophen used for?
Banophen is used to temporarily relieve symptoms caused by hay fever, upper respiratory allergies or the common cold, such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and itching of the nose or throat.
Is Banophen the same as Benadryl?
Banophen and Benadryl can contain the same active ingredient, diphenhydramine hydrochloride. However, product strength, inactive ingredients, labeling and directions may differ, so always read your specific package label.
Does Banophen make you sleepy?
Yes. Banophen can cause marked drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. Avoid alcohol and be careful with driving, machinery or other tasks requiring alertness.
How often can I take Banophen?
Follow your package label. Many diphenhydramine labels say to take it every 4 to 6 hours and not to take more than 6 doses in 24 hours. Directions depend on the product strength and the person’s age.
Can children take Banophen?
Children should take Banophen only according to the label or a doctor’s instructions. Do not use diphenhydramine to make a child sleepy. Some strengths may not be appropriate for younger children.
Can I take Banophen with alcohol?
No, it is best to avoid alcohol. Alcohol can increase drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination caused by diphenhydramine.
What should I do if I took too much Banophen?
Contact Poison Control or emergency services right away. Seek emergency help if there is severe drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizure, trouble breathing, chest pain, collapse or inability to wake.