From the Guidelines
Benadryl is not recommended as a first-line treatment for headaches, and its use should be approached with caution due to its limited pain-relieving properties and potential side effects. According to the American College of Physicians guideline on pharmacologic treatments of acute episodic migraine headache in outpatient settings 1, the preferred treatments for mild episodic migraine headache include NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or the combination of an NSAID and acetaminophen. For moderate to severe acute episodic migraine headache, options such as CGRP antagonists-gepants, ergot alkaloid, or the ditan lasmiditan may be considered.
Some key points to consider when treating headaches include:
- Using combination therapy, such as a triptan with an NSAID or acetaminophen, to improve efficacy 1
- Counseling patients to begin treatment as soon as possible after the onset of headache symptoms 1
- Avoiding the use of opioids or butalbital for the treatment of acute episodic migraine 1
- Being aware of medication overuse headache, a potential complication of migraine treatment 1
In general, it's best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of a headache and the most appropriate treatment. While Benadryl may be helpful for headaches with an allergic component or those associated with sinus congestion, its use should be individualized and carefully considered due to its potential side effects, such as significant drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision.
From the Research
Benadryl for Headache
- There is no mention of Benadryl in the provided studies as a treatment for headache 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies suggest that over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen are effective in treating tension-type and migraine headaches 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Triptans are also recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe migraines 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Antiemetics can be used as a supplement to alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with migraines 5.
- It is essential to note that the use of acute treatment should be limited to a maximum of ten days a month to prevent medication-overuse headache 5.
Alternative Treatments
- Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and combination products that include caffeine are recommended for acute migraine treatment 6.
- Migraine-specific treatments, including triptans, gepants, and lasmiditan, can be used for acute migraine treatment, but may have adverse effects and are not suitable for all patients 6.
- Preventive treatments, such as antihypertensives, antiepileptics, antidepressants, calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies, and onabotulinumtoxinA, can reduce migraine frequency 6.