Does Benadryl interact with Zoloft?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Benadryl interact with Zoloft?
Yes, Benadryl does interact with Zoloft in terms of side effects. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine which is sedative in nature (1). Zoloft, on the other hand, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. (2)
Since both Zoloft and Benadryl can cause tiredness and drowsiness, concomitant use can increase the risk of these side effects. If we talk about the elderly population, the side effects are more prominent in them as their bodies eventually become slow in drug metabolism and excretion (1,2).
Additionally, combining these medications may cause other side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating. It’s crucial to avoid activities that require mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery while taking Benadryl and Zoloft together (1,2).
Benadryl may also cause nosebleeds in some people, which could be more pronounced if Zoloft is taken concomitantly, as this antidepressant can cause mild blood thinning.
Other sedative antihistamines, like Hydroxyzine, Chlorpheniramine, etc can also interact with Zoloft and other antidepressants, especially if these meds also make you drowsy.
If you are prescribed both medications, your healthcare provider should be aware of this potential interaction and will monitor your response to the medications closely. They may adjust the dosages or recommend alternative medications to avoid any adverse effects.
Alternatives to Benadryl while taking Zoloft
If you are taking Zoloft and need an alternative to Benadryl for allergy or cold relief, there are several options that are generally considered safe to use with Zoloft.
It’s essential to discuss these alternatives with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication. Here are some alternatives to Benadryl while taking Zoloft:
Second-generation antihistamines
Medications like Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Allegra (fexofenadine) are considered safer options to manage allergy symptoms without causing significant drowsiness. (3)
Nasal corticosteroids
Nasal sprays like Flonase (Fluticasone) or Nasacort (Triamcinolone) can be used for nasal allergy symptoms without interacting with Zoloft. These sprays don’t get absorbed in systemic circulation as oral medications do. This reduces the chances of adverse events.
Saline nasal rinses
Using the saline solution for nasal irrigation can help relieve congestion and nasal irritation without any drug interactions.
Decongestants
Over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) can help with nasal congestion, but it’s essential to use them cautiously and consult your healthcare provider, as they may increase blood pressure.
Natural remedies
Some people find relief from allergy symptoms with natural remedies like local honey, steam inhalation, or herbal supplements like butterbur or quercetin. However, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor before trying any herbal supplements to avoid potential interactions.
Remember, always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new medication or supplement, even if it is available over the counter.
They will consider your specific health needs and ensure that the chosen alternative is safe and effective for you, taking into account your current medications, including Zoloft.
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References
1.-
Singh HK, Saadabadi A. Sertraline. 2023 Feb 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613469. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689
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.-
Slater JW, Zechnich AD, Haxby DG. Second-generation antihistamines: a comparative review. Drugs. 1999 Jan;57(1):31-47. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199957010-00004. PMID: 9951950. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951950/
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