diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol at a glance
Medicine class
Sedating antihistamine and antitussive combined with levomenthol.
Licensed roles
Relief of cough and congestion; the children's product also covers runny nose, sneezing, hay fever and other upper-airway allergic conditions.
Drowsiness
May impair alertness, coordination and driving. Never use it to make a child sleepy.
What is diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol used for?
Licensed uses depend on the syrup.
The adult and older-child product relieves cough and associated congestion and is licensed from age 12.
The children's night-cough product relieves cough, congestion, runny nose and sneezing, including symptoms associated with hay fever and other allergic upper-respiratory conditions. It is licensed for ages 6 to 12.
Neither product should be used to sedate a child.
How does diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol work?
Diphenhydramine blocks histamine H1 receptors and has anticholinergic effects that reduce watery secretions. Its cough-suppressing action is thought to occur separately in the brainstem. Levomenthol produces a cooling sensation and has mild local anaesthetic and decongestant properties.
How to take diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol
Take by mouth, measuring the syrup with the supplied device rather than a household spoon. Follow the leaflet for the exact product because age restrictions and instructions differ.
Do not combine with another diphenhydramine-containing product, including topical diphenhydramine used over a large area.
Avoid alcohol. Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if sleepy, dizzy, unsteady or unable to concentrate.
Seek advice before use for persistent cough, asthma, excessive phlegm, glaucoma risk, urinary retention, or liver or kidney disease.
diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Dizziness, headache, weakness, or impaired coordination and concentration
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Thickened respiratory secretions
- Unexpected stimulation, particularly in children
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Seizure
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations or faintness
- Confusion, hallucinations or marked agitation
- Difficulty passing urine
diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol in pregnancy
Do not self-treat with this combination during pregnancy. Product information limits use to when a clinician considers the potential maternal benefit to outweigh possible fetal risk. Diphenhydramine crosses the placenta and is not normally recommended because drowsiness and dizziness may be more troublesome.
diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol while breastfeeding
Ask a pharmacist or clinician before use. Product information does not recommend it unless expected benefit outweighs possible risk. Diphenhydramine enters milk in small amounts and may make an infant sleepy. Seek advice for poor feeding, unusual sleepiness or irritability, and avoid bed-sharing after taking oral diphenhydramine.
diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol interactions
Diphenhydramine's sedative and anticholinergic effects can be increased by other substances and medicines.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Contraindicated during treatment and for 14 days after stopping because of a serious interaction risk, including serotonin syndrome.
Alcohol and central nervous system depressants
Alcohol, sleeping medicines, benzodiazepines, opioid analgesics, antipsychotics and other sedatives can increase drowsiness and impairment.
Common questions about diphenhydramine hydrochloride + levomenthol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does it make you sleepy?
Yes. It can cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired concentration. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery if affected.
Can it be given to a child?
Only use an age-appropriate licensed product. The adult product is not for children under 12; the children's product is licensed only for ages 6 to 12. Never use it to cause sleepiness.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.