Can you take Allegra in the morning and Benadryl at night?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this article, we will discuss the use of Allegra (Fexofenadine) in the morning and Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) at night – both of which are antihistamines. We will also discuss the potential risks and benefits of this treatment approach.
Can you take Allegra in the morning and Benadryl at night?
It is not generally recommended to take Allegra (Fexofenadine) and Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) on the same day. Both Allegra and Benadryl are antihistamines, used to treat various allergy symptoms (1,2).
Allegra is a second-generation antihistamine which typically lasts an entire day (3). This means that Allegra would still be actively working in your body when you take Benadryl at night – even if you take them 8-10 hours apart.
This is why it is not recommended to take more than one antihistamine on the same day or at the same time. Generally, one medicine is enough to manage your symptoms.
Taking Allegra in the morning can control your allergies throughout the day and there’s no need to take Benadryl at night. However, if you are taking Benadryl to sleep well at night, you can skip Allgera.
Furthermore, Benadryl should not be used daily as a sleep aid. If you experience trouble sleeping, you need to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
When can you take Allegra and Benadryl on the same day?
The only time it’s appropriate to take Allegra and Benadryl together on the same day is when your doctor prescribes it, typically for severe allergies or specific medical reasons.
If your doctor believes that a combination of these medications could be beneficial for your condition, they will provide you with proper guidance and adjust the doses as needed.
It’s important to note that combining these medications should only be done under medical supervision, as they can have interactions and side effects. Your doctor will carefully assess your situation and make sure that any potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Potential risks of taking Allegra in the morning and Benadryl at night
Taking Allegra in the morning and Benadryl at night can lead to additive side effects. Both of these medications contain antihistamines, and taking them together may result in an excessive antihistamine effect.
This can increase the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and dizziness (4).
It’s important to be cautious when considering such a combination and to consult with a healthcare provider before doing so, as they can provide guidance on whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks and may adjust the doses accordingly.
What are the alternatives to taking Allegra and Benadryl on the same day?
There are effective alternatives to taking Allegra and Benadryl together. Nasal sprays can be a great complement to antihistamines like Allegra or Benadryl. These nasal sprays, such as Flonase (Fluticasone), work locally in the nasal passages to reduce inflammation and congestion (5).
They can provide relief from nasal symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and postnasal drip. The advantage of using nasal sprays is that they target symptoms directly where they occur, without the risk of additive side effects that can happen when combining different antihistamines.
It’s important to note that you should use either Allegra or Benadryl, not both, in combination with a nasal spray, as taking both antihistamines together can lead to excessive drowsiness and other side effects.
If you’re unsure about which nasal spray to choose or how to incorporate it into your allergy management, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the use of Allegra (Fexofenadine) in the morning and Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) at night. We have also talked about when it’s okay to take them this way and what potential risks should be considered.
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References
1.-
Craun KL, Schury MP. Fexofenadine. 2022 Dec 5. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32310564. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556104
2.-
Sicari V, Zabbo CP. Diphenhydramine. 2022 Jul 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30252266. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526010
3.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3348, Fexofenadine; [cited 2023 Aug. 26]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Fexofenadine
4.-
Borowy CS, Mukherji P. Antihistamine Toxicity. 2023 Apr 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493943. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482318
5.-
Kobayashi RH, Kiechel F 3rd, Kobayashi AL, Mellion MB. Topical nasal sprays: treatment of allergic rhinitis. Am Fam Physician. 1994 Jul;50(1):151-7, 161-2. Erratum in: Am Fam Physician 1994 Dec;50(8):1656-8. PMID: 7517094. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7517094/
