In this blog post, we are going to talk about the concomitant use of celexa and benadryl. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. This antidepressant can react with other medications and produce terrible side effects.

This blog will cover the possible interactions between celexa and benadryl.

Can you use Celexa and Benadryl together?

No, it is not recommended to use Celexa and Benadryl together. The concomitant use can severely increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, low mental alertness, impaired motor functions, confusion, forgetfulness etc. It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval.

What is Celexa and how does it work?

Celexa, brand name for Citalopram, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft back to the presynaptic neuron, which released this excitatory neurotransmitter in the first place.

Celexa does that by blocking serotonin transporters (SERT) which are responsible to move serotonin back into the neuron. This results in increased amounts of active serotonin in your body which binds to its respective receptors present throughout the body.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Celexa is not just used for the treatment of anxiety and depression, but it is also used to treat several other mental health conditions including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

What is Benadryl and how does it work?

Benadryl, brand name for diphenhydramine, is basically an anti-allergic medication. It is used to help relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction generated by your body in response to different stimuli including virus, bacteria, dust and pollen.

It works by inhibiting histamine, which is an allergy mediator released from mast cells in response to an allergen. It also blocks acetylcholine which is responsible for increasing lacrimation (excess tear formation in response to an allergy), salivation and runny dose.

Benadryl blocks histamine H1 receptors which is the biggest reason why this medicine causes sedation, drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness. Make sure you do not use this medication during the day time as it may hinder your daytime activities.

What are the side effects associated with the use of celexa and benadryl?

Both celexa and benadryl are associated with some side effects that can range from mild to severe depending on the tolerability of the person taking it.

Experts suggest that side effects have a close relationship with the way your body responds when it gets exposed to one or the combination of meds. Preexisting health conditions can also play a huge role in determining the kind of side effects the meds will cause in you.

Make sure you inform your healthcare provider if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any other unusual side effect. The most common side effects of celexa include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea or Constipation
Acid reflux or heartburn
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Weight gain or loss
Excessive sweating or night sweating (nocturnal/night hyperhidrosis)
Frequent urination
Polydipsia or excessive thirst
Tremors
Muscle twitching and pain
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Excessive tiredness or fatigue
Insomnia or inability to fall asleep
Xerostomia or dry mouth
Dysmenorrhea or heavy periods
Flu like symptoms including irritation in eyes and runny nose
Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to release, while females may suffer from inability to have a climactic experience.

Celexa (Citalopram) is also associated with some serious side effects, which may include:

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
Auditory or visual hallucinations
Nose bleeds
Severe headache
Arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeats
Impaired memory and concentration
Convulsions
Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

Benadryl is also associated with some side effects, which may include:

Xerostomia or dry mouth
Dryness of nose and throat
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fatigue or excessive tiredness
Loss of appetite
Chest congestion
Constipation
Nervousness
Forgetfulness

Serious side effects include:

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
Painful urination
Blurred vision with or without pain and irritation in eyes.

How to ensure the proper use of Celexa and Benadryl?

Immediately talk to your healthcare provider if you experience unusual side effects while taking celexa and benadryl together.

Do not recommend this combination to someone else and use it as long as your doctor has advised.

Inform your doctor if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive. Benadryl should be used by pregnant women only if advised by the healthcare provider. Celexa can also be dangerous for the fetus, especially when used in the third trimester.

Inform your doctor if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Both of these drugs are capable of passing into the breastmilk and may cause side effects in newborns.

Celexa may induce suicidal behavior in users younger than 24 years of age. If you have someone who shows suicidal behavior or you see hopelessness in them, make sure you keep an eye on them and get medical attention as soon as you can.

Do not stop celexa and benadryl abruptly. If it’s time for you to stop one or both of these meds, your doctor will simply recommend a taper schedule for you, which should be followed vigilantly if you wish to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.

Report any problems with bleeding or bruising to your doctor. If you see any unexplained blisters or rashes on your body, or experience any problems with urination, or if you feel changes in your vision, immediately report to your healthcare provider.

Make sure you avoid certain activities when the concomitant use of these two meds make you feel sleepy or tired during the day time. These activities include:

Do not drive when you’re feeling tired or drowsy. Driving requires your full physical and mental alertness and it’s in your best interest to avoid it when you’re tired and have low energy levels. If there’s somewhere you need to be, just ask a friend to drop you or book a ride.

If you’re an employee in some factory where you are supposed to operate heavy machinery, don’t! Your drowsiness might cause an accident and can make you or others around you severely injured.

Make sure you’re not taking any other medication that might be contributing to your drowsiness. Do not drink alcohol, or you’ll end up dulling your senses even more. Alcohol itself is responsible for causing fatigue and drowsiness.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed the concomitant use of celexa and benadryl. Celexa is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. This antidepressant can react with other medications and produce terrible side effects.

It is not recommended to use Celexa and Benadryl together. The concomitant use can severely increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, low mental alertness, impaired motor functions, confusion, forgetfulness etc.

It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval. Both celexa and benadryl are associated with some side effects that can range from mild to severe depending on the tolerability of the person taking it.

Make sure you inform your healthcare provider if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any other unusual side effect.

FAQs: celexa and benadryl

Can you take Benadryl on antidepressants?

No, It is not recommended to use antidepressants and Benadryl together. The concomitant use can severely increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, low mental alertness, impaired motor functions, confusion, forgetfulness etc. It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval.

What should you not take with Celexa?

Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The combination use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The combination use can increase the risk of bleeding.
Pimozide. The concomitant use can increase the plasma concentration(availability of a drug in the blood) of pimozide to much higher levels. It can result in life-threatening arrhythmia.
Controlled substances, including all narcotic analgesics. The concomitant use can cause severe psychological side effects.
Mood stabilisers
Alcohol

Do antidepressants interact with antihistamines?

Yes, antidepressants can interact with Antihistamines and it is recommended to not use these meds together. The concomitant use can severely increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, low mental alertness, impaired motor functions, confusion, forgetfulness etc. It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval.

Does Benadryl increase serotonin?

No. Benadryl, brand name for diphenhydramine, is basically an anti-allergic medication. It is used to help relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction generated by your body in response to different stimuli including virus, bacteria, dust and pollens.

What should you not take with Benadryl?

Antifungals and antivirals. They may inhibit the metabolism of clonazepam and cause toxicity.
Antiepileptics. The concomitant use may decrease the beneficial effects of clonazepam.
Anti-allergy medications. The concomitant use increases the risk of sedation
Narcotic analgesics or any other controlled substance. The concomitant use can cause serious CNS side effects.
Sleeping pills
Anxiolytics and antidepressants.

What are the side effects of benadryl?

Benadryl is associated with some side effects, which may include:

Xerostomia or dry mouth
Dryness of nose and throat
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fatigue or excessive tiredness
Loss of appetite
Chest congestion
Constipation
Nervousness
Forgetfulness

Serious side effects include:

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
Painful urination
Blurred vision with or without pain and irritation in eyes.

References

Drug Interactions between Benadryl and Celexa https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/benadryl-with-celexa-896-1617-679-335.html#:~:text=Interactions%20between%20your%20drugs&text=Using%20diphenhydrAMINE%20together%20with%20citalopram,%2C%20judgment%2C%20and%20motor%20coordination
Celexa and Benadryl drug interactions – a phase IV clinical study of FDA data https://www.ehealthme.com/drug-interaction/celexa/benadryl/
Diphenhydramine https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5680/benadryl-oral/details
Sicari V, Zabbo CP. (2021) – Diphenhydramine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526010/#_NBK526010_pubdet_
James M. Ferguson, M.D. – SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
Celexa – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8603/celexa-oral/details
Citalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/citalopram-oral-route/description/drg-20062980

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