Is Benadryl and Robitussin the same?

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

Treats allergy symptoms and helps you sleep.

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is great for allergies, but curl up on the couch after taking it and get ready for a nap.

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4.1/ 5 average rating with 294 reviewsforBenadryl

Breaks up mucus and relieves cough.

Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan) is okay for loosening congestion in your chest and throat, but it could prevent you from coughing the mucus up. You have to take it more often than other guaifenesin products.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 724 reviewsforRobitussin DM

Upsides

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is often better than other antihistamines at treating allergy symptoms and hives.
It can provide quick relief of allergy symptoms for both kids and adults.
It makes you sleepy, so it'll help if your allergies are bothering you at night.
The effects wear off in 4 to 6 hours, so side effects don't last that long.
It comes as a tablet, capsule, liquid, and quick dissolving tablet.

Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan) is a combination medicine that relieves multiple cold symptoms. It's good to use if you have chest congestion and a cough.
Helps loosen the mucus and phlegm that builds up and causes productive, wet coughs.

Downsides

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) makes you more tired than Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec.
You shouldn't drive after taking Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) until you know how it affects you.
Talk to a pediatrician before giving Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) to a child.
It can increase the risk of falls, so elderly people shouldn't use Benadryl (Diphenhydramine).
Don't use Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) if you are breastfeeding.

Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan) isn’t useful if you have a dry cough without mucus or phlegm.
The two medications in this product could potentially work against each other. Guaifenesin makes mucus easier to cough up, while dextromethorphan (the "DM" in Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan)) stops you from coughing.
Needs to be taken more often during the day than other products with guaifenesin, like Mucinex.
Can cause sleepiness, dizziness, and an upset stomach.

Used for

Seasonal allergies
Year-round allergies
Itchy skin
Anaphylaxis
Common cold
Insomnia
Motion sickness
Parkinsonism
Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Extrapyramidal disease (movement disorder) from antipsychotic medicine

Cough
Expectoration (clearing) of mucus

Dosage forms

Pill
Oral solution
Cream, gel, or ointment

Liquid

Price

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Reviews

Side effects

The Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.

The Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.

Risks and risk factors

Overdose
- Using other drugs with the same ingredients
Increased side effects
- Age 65 years or older
Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
Hyperactivity
- Children age 6 years and younger
Trouble urinating
- Enlarged prostate
- History of bladder problems
Vision changes
- Glaucoma
Breastfeeding
- Nursing mothers

See more detailed risks and warnings

Nausea and vomiting
Serotonin syndrome
- Using other medications that affect serotonin
Cough warning

See more detailed risks and warnings

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can be safely taken with Robitussin (dextromethorphan) as there is no interaction between the two drugs.

I do want to point out that although "Robitussin" is generally associated with the drug dextromethorphan, Robitussin is itself a brand name.

A variety of over-the-counter cough/cold products use that name, many of which contain different ingredients.

Below, I list the most common Robitussin products, their ingredients, and whether or not they can be used with Benadryl.

Robitussin Family Of Products With Benadryl

Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion DM

Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
Guaifenesin (expectorant)

Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion DM is safe to take with Benadryl and there is no interaction between the two.

Robitussin Night Time Cough DM

Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
Doxylamine (sedating antihistamine)

Benadryl should not be taken with Robitussin Night Time Cough DM.

This Robitussin product already contains a sedating, first-generation antihistamine (doxylamine) and therefore Benadryl should not be needed.

Taking both together may cause excess sedation and side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, etc...

Robitussin 12 Hour Cough Relief

Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)

Benadryl is safe to take with Robitussin 12 Hour Cough Relief

Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu

Acetaminophen (analgesic)
Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
Guaifenesin (expectorant)
Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)

Benadryl is safe to take with Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu.

Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu Nighttime

Acetaminophen (analgesic)
Diphenhydramine (sedating antihistamine)
Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)

Benadryl should not be taken with Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu Nighttime. The product already contains Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

Robitussin Severe Cough & Sore Throat

Acetaminophen (analgesic)
Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)

Benadryl is safe to take with Robitussin Severe Cough & Sore Throat

Robitussin Multi-Symptom Cold CF

Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
Guaifenesin (expectorant)
Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)

Benadryl is safe to take Robitussin Multi-Symptom Cold CF.

Summary

As shown above, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is safe to take with most Robitussin products. Benadryl should only be avoided with Robitussin products that already contain an antihistamine. Robitussin products that contain an antihistamine include:

Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu Nighttime
Robitussin Night Time Cough DM

Benadryl is safe to take with all other Robitussin products.

Can I have Benadryl and Robitussin?

Interactions between your drugs Using dextromethorphan together with diphenhydrAMINE may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

Is Benadryl used to treat a cough?

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Is Robitussin an antihistamine?

Generic Name: pseudoephedrine-DM It affects a certain part of the brain (cough center) to help you stop coughing. This product also contains an antihistamine (such as triprolidine, chlorpheniramine, doxylamine) that works by blocking the effects of a certain natural substance (histamine), which causes allergy symptoms.