Are you or someone you know allergic to something? Are hives, rashes, breathing difficulty, itchiness, runny noses, sneezing, or red, itchy, watery eyes a few of the things that play an unwanted role? These are only some symptoms of an allergic reaction, that can get extremely serious extremely fast if you're not careful. Are you not thankful for things such as medications, epi-pens, and hospitals for your relief if you were to have an emergency allergic reaction? The idea of allergic reactions has an aid somewhere along the line, did you ever think of what that was? Most of you would probably say, "yeah, my benadryl", but have you ever thought about the other things associated with benadryl besides that it aids your reaction?

Summary and Reasons for Use
Benadryl, which is a trade name of a medicine produced by J&J is a drug that you can buy in pharmacies over the counter, with no prescription (web 9, 2007). It is otherwise known scientifically as diphenhydramine hydrochloride and it acts as an antihistamine, hypnotic, and sedative. In some cases, doctors have used Benadryl for treating typical antipsychotic patients for their extrapyramidal side effects.

How It Works
Antihistamines are used to treat symptoms caused by allergies, including itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and skin rash and irritations (web 1, 2007). Histamines are chemicals made in some cells that can damage the tiny blood vessels called capillaries, allowing blood plasma to leak into body tissues and cause swelling, itching and redness. Antihistamines are manufactured compounds that block receptors in the capillaries, preventing those irritating and sometimes even fatal effects, which is exactly what Benadryl does, very effectively (web 2, 2007).

In other words, Benadryl competitively blocks the bodies H1 receptors, preventing the actions of histamine (on bronchial smooth muscle, capillaries, and gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle). Doing this prevents and controls allergic reactions (by preventing histamine-induced bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and GI smooth muscle spasms) (web 3, 2007).

Basically, it is used because it is beneficial to people with allergies.

History
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride was one of the first known antihistamines, invented in 1943 by Dr. George Rieveschl, who had a Ph.D. in chemistry.(web 2, 2007). It is a first-generation antihistamine drug, that became the first FDA-approved prescription antihistamine in 1946, (web 2, 2007). Even though it is one of the few oldest antihistamines that is still on the market and being sold in drug stores, it is proven to be the most effective antihistamine available, and it is so easy to get a hold of. Benadryl, has been shown to surpass the effectiveness of even the newest prescription drugs (Raphael GD, Angello JT, Wu MM, Druce HM, 2006).
The discovery of Benadryl was significant because it was the first finding that specific receptors in capillaries can be affected by different compounds. "So there are now a whole series of antihistamines that will counter these different histamine receptors," Dr. Bernstein said. "It was a key discovery." (web 2, 2007).


Chemical reactions involved in use
Systematic - IUPAC Chemical Name: 2-(Diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethylamine hydrochloride.

Molecular Formula: C17H21NO , HCl

It occurs as a white, crystalline powder, is freely soluble in water and alcohol and has a molecular mass of 291.82g/mol.

The solutions for parenteral use have been adjusted to a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 with either sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid (web 4, 2007).

Ingredients Per Caplet:
Medicinal Ingredient: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Antihistamine)
Non-medicinal Ingredients (alphabetically): Celluloses, dicalcium phosphate, D&C red No. 27, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, starch, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, wax, zinc stearate
(web 5, 2006).

Benefits
Benadryl is a fast and effective allergy controller, stopping the reactions that you may receive from your allergies. It is a very cost-effective medicine, that does a lot for mankind. Being an antihistamine, it controls the reaction that your body has to the allergy, bringing hives, rashes, itchiness, runny noses, sneezing, and/or red, itchy, watery eyes under control for the convenience of allergenic people. Benadryl brings a lot of beneficial things to humans, think of it this way - say you were on your way to work and a bee flies in your window, stinging you right on the arm. You're allergic to bees, immediately you start breaking out in hives and your eyes are becoming very watery and itchy. You need to pull over to the side of the road. Luckily, you have your benadryl in your glovebox, and you quickly pop our a pill and drink some water, within ten minutes your symptoms are very much decreased, and you're off on your way again. Without this benadryl, what would you have done? Called 911? Kept driving and possibly got in an accident? It saves lives.

It is very easy to ingest, it comes most commonly in caplet form, each caplet containing 25 mg of Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, the Antihistamine. It also comes in many other forms that are very accessable and convenient, as well as a variety of selections from Benadryl Allergy Regular Strength (25mg caplets), to Bednadryl Nightime Allergy Extra Strength, to Benadryl Allergy, Sinus & Headache. Other products include Elixir Syrup, Children's Liquid Allergy Syrup (which is good for children, not having to ingest a pill), and Itch Relief Cream(web 6, 2006).

Overall benadryl is a very effective, convienent, and practical medicine for people everywhere. It is easy to take, fast, alleviates discomfort, and allows you to keep on going with your day. It truly has potential to save lives.


Disadvantages
Although there are disadvantages to this medication, I think overall that they good outweighs the bad, because these disadvantages are something you can look out for and prevent yourself. It does not waste any resources, as it is made from chemicals that we have no shortage of to present day, and it does not pollute the earth in any way because it is being injested by humans and you can recycle the plastic containers or pill sheet as well as the cardboard box it comes in. These are two huge issues that make a big difference on the opinion given to this drug. There are safety precautions and side effects that everyone involved or even familiar with this drug need to be fully aware of.

Here are some of the precautions listed by the manufacturer, as well as on the actual products that I've located in my home: may cause excitability especially in children or the elderly, avoid alcohol (it has an additive effect with alcohol), use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery, talk to a doctor before using this product if you have chronic lung disease, glaucoma or difficulty urinating due to enlargement of the prostate gland or are pregnant or nursing, or taking other antihistamines or sedating drugs. Do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage. Keep out of children's reach.

Drug Interactions: Diphenhydramine adds to (exaggerates) the sedating effects of alcohol and other drugs than can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax), the narcotic class of pain medications and its derivatives (e.g., Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Codeine, Darvon), the tricyclic class of antidepressants (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), and certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres, Inderal). Diphenhydramine can also intensify the drying effects of other medications with anticholinergic properties (e.g., Bentyl, Urecholine, Probanthine)(web 7, 2007).

Adverse effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, dryness of mouth, nausea and nervousness may occur. Other infrequently reported effects are vertigo, palpitation, blurring of vision, headache, restlessness, insomnia and thickening of bronchial secretions. Allergic reactions, diarrhea, vomiting and excitation may also occur(web 8, 2007).


Social Responsibility and Supervision use of Manufacturer
Commercially, Benadryl is a brand trademarked by a drug store chain and retail outlet in the United States called Pfizer. But there are plenty of other medications under their own store brands that are cheaper generic versions.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphenhydramine#Pharmacological_action) Benadryl has been on the market in Canada for over 50 years (web 6, 2006).

Benadryl specifically is manufactured by J&J, and distributed by Pfizer. It is their responsibility to inform people everywhere of the way it works and what it does, instructions on how to take it, side effects, other precautions and drug interactions (hazards - such as do not take if you have high blood pressure, are nursing or pregnant, or on other medications, etc), as well as dosages.

The dosages are clearly listed on their website, as well as on their drug packages;

example from an actual package:
Dosage: Adults and Children 12 years and over: 1 to 2 caplets every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed 8 caplets per day.

The Pfizer company states, "BENADRYL is proven to begin delivering effective relief from allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing) in less than 30 minutes and to sustain relief for up to 6 hours" (web 6, 2006). Pfizer informs their customers and people across America about Benadryl in other formulations, as well as formulations for people of all ages, from toddlers to adults. They quote "BENADRYL is effective against seasonal allergies (such as hay fever), perennial allergies (such as allergies to dust and mould in the home) and allergic skin reactions (such as bee stings)," encouraging people all around of the benefits and advancements of Benadryl (web 6, 2006).

It is the responsibility of Pfizer to provide to their customers everything they need to know about the medication that they will be taking. On the package they must include a specific list of things including ingredients, side effects, warnings, medical conditions, instructions and dosages, as well as hazards and purpose of the medication. They also have to make sure that they are able to be contacted, with phone numbers, websites, or mailing addresses.
Pfizer has a product questions page on their webiste, on top of a phone number in which i located, "l 1-800-661-4659, weekdays 9am to 5pm (EST)" (web 6, 2006).

Pfizer is also in charge of distribution to drug stores and pharmacies, where it is sold and where it is located. They have to be responsible in quality control, making sure that they do not over distribute this medication and people abuse it. The availability to public is a little bit dangerous with this medication, because it is over the counter without any prescription necessary, but it does not contain ingredients that would give any sort of ''high'' for substance abuse. It is a generally safe medication in recommended doses, the danger is overdosing especially in children because it can seriously harm one. It is the responsibility of Pfizer to provide to their customers everything they need to know about the medication that they will be taking. On the package they must include a specific list of things including ingredients, side effects, warnings, medical conditions, instructions and dosages, as well as hazards and purpose of the medication.

Pfizer is also in charge of distribution to drug stores and pharmacies, where it is sold and where it is located. They have to be responsible in quality control, making sure that they do not over distribute this medication and people abuse it. The availability to public is a little bit dangerous with this medication, because it is over the counter without any prescription necessary, but it does not contain ingredients that would give any sort of ''high'' for substance abuse. It is a generally safe medication in recommended doses, the danger is overdosing especially in children because it can seriously harm one.

In conclusion, as a citizen in a technological society, I think benadryl is a very effective product. There are many ups and downs, goods and bads to Benadryl... but what in life doesn't have up's and downs?























References
1. CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. (2007). Retrieved Dec, 14th/2007, from http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=1874.

2. Dennis Hevesi. (2007). Retrieved Dec, 14th/2007, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/business/29rieveschl.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin.

3. US National Institutes of Health. (2007). Retrieved Dec, 14th/2007, from http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=39163.

4. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. (2007). Retrieved Dec 17th/2007, from http://www.blogger.com/www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphenhydramine#_note-0.

5. Pfizer Canada Inc. (2006). Retrieved Dec 19th/2007, from http://www.pfizer.ca/english/our%20products/consumer%20healthcare/allergy%20and%20sinus%20relief/benadryl/BENADRYL%20Allergy%20Regular%20Strength%20caplets/default.asp?s=1.

6. Pfizer Canada Inc. (2006). Retrieved Dec 19th/2007, from http://www.pfizer.ca/english/our%20products/consumer%20healthcare/allergy%20and%20sinus%20relief/benadryl/default.asp?s=1.

7. MedicineNet, Inc. (2007). Retrieved Dec 19th/2007, from http://www.medicinenet.com/diphenhydramine/article.htm.

8. Phillip W. Long, M.D. (2005). Retrieved Dec 19th/07, from http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-b01.html.

9. RxCC Rx Care Canada Inc. (2007). Retrieved Dec 19th/07, from http://www.rxcarecanada.com/Benadryl%20(Allergy).asp?prodid=378859.

10. Raphael GD, Angello JT, Wu MM, Druce HM (2006). "Efficacy of diphenhydramine vs desloratadine and placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis". pg. 606-614 Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.

PICTURE REFERENCE
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/c/cd/220px-Diphenhydramine_Structure.png, retrieved on Dec 20/07.

Others:
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=1029
http://www.benadrylusa.com/index.asp?sec=0&page=0&from=100
Kerry Kingston, 2007. Personal communication, December 17, 2007.