Has anyone been told by their doctor not to use Benadryl in the case of Anaphylaxis? I carry both liquid and chewable along with the Epipen for my PA daughter at all times. I know several moms of PA kids who are not on the web, and one of them was advised by her doctor not to administer Benadryl, only the Epipen. Everything I have read (FAN) has said that Benadryl is necessary, and my doctor recommended I carry it. She asked me to post this note for her.
Is Benadryl necessary
Posted on: Mon, 11/01/1999 - 8:15am
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I have never heard not to give benadryl. The only explanation for that, in my opinion, would be if there were a loss of consciousness or difficulty swallowing. That's the only time I wouldn't give both.
As a PA sufferer, I have always been told to use Benadryl and the Ana-Kit (epinephrine injection). Benadryl's only draw back is that it makes the person incredibly drowsy. Whenever I go to the hospital, I always end up with prednisone and benadryl prescriptions.
My 5-year old son is severely PA. We ALWAYS carry Benadryl and an Epipen. I've always heard that Benadryl is a critical tool in treating allergies. Perhaps they meant that you should use the EpiPen FIRST? Time is critical when using the Epi. Incidentally (and you probably already know this) you should always use the liquid form of Benadryl in the case of an allergic reaction, as it hits the bloodstream quicker than a capsule.
My daughter's pediatric allergist recently told us to just use the epi-pen and not bother with the benadryl. This is because my daughter has always vomitted up the benadryl. We have not yet ever used the epi-pen. I still carry benadryl, and my own feeling is that I would use it before the epi-pen if the reaction did not seem severe enough to warrant the epi-pen.
I've heard that some parents of pa children do not give Benadryl because it may "mask" symptoms, hiding anaphylaxis-which must be treated with epinephrine. Personally, I carry around a bottle of Benadryl. My son's allergist never mentioned it, but it was suggested in most the of the medical literature that was given to me at the time of his diagnosis.
[This message has been edited by L&Mojoe (edited August 03, 2000).]
Renee, I started a thread in the Main Discussion part asking why Benadryl was the antihistamine of choice with PA. I know that when I asked my doctor last year if I should provide the school with Benadryl to follow-up after the Epi-pen shot, he said no. From what I read on that other thread, emergency personnel would give the Benadryl. I remember when my son had his 2nd anaphylactic reaction (his 3rd reaction), I was trying to tell the doctor in emerg that he had already had Claritin that day for his environmental allergies. But, from what I learned on that other thread I mentioned, they are totally different things with different uses. From what my doctor told me, I don't even have Benadryl in the house. I'm just to give the Epi-pen shot and dial 911. They will follow-up with Benadryl at the hospital. I was wondering if I should have it if my son should have a less severe reaction to say airborne peanut smell, which he hasn't so far. I think if you already know that your child's reaction is going to be anaphylactic (as I know with my son), then you don't need the Benadryl, but if there is a chance that they could simply break out in hives, etc. then Benadryl would do the trick. Does any of this make sense? Anyway, if you get a chance, please read the other thread as people have put down a lot of good information in that one too that they may not think to put in this one. I had been concerned about the school not having any, but I'm going to go by what the doctor said and what I read in the other thread and stay with the emergency plan I already have in place at the school. Best wishes!
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My daughter's only reaction (the one that alerted us to the fact that she had a peanut allergy) she got puffy face, swelled eyes and skin flushing. She was 13 months and I did not detect any breathing issues. My allergist said (1) If you know for sure that it is peanuts that she ate or put in her mouth..even if not swallowed, GIVE EPIPEN and (2) if she has a reaction to something, but you don't think it was peanuts or are NOT SURE, give Benedryl and watch for breathing difficulties. If breathing is compromised, GIVE EPIPEN...I carry both in my purse and both in the diaper bag and have both in a shelf in our medicine cabinet. To me they are a pair! I know that my friend's doctor advised her a bit differently on when to use what...Like everything, I think different doctors/allergists have different views...follow what your doc says!!