Drug interactions
Aripiprazole + Diphenhydramine
Severity: Moderate
Aripiprazole and Diphenhydramine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Diphenhydramine is a strongly sedating, anticholinergic antihistamine that can add to aripiprazole sedation and cognitive impairment. It is sometimes used to treat antipsychotic extrapyramidal symptoms, but anticholinergic burden can be significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aripiprazole and Diphenhydramine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Aripiprazole belongs to Central Nervous System; Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects; diphenhydramine also weakly inhibits CYP2D6.
What to do
Monitor for oversedation, confusion, constipation and urinary retention, particularly in older adults, and use the lowest effective dose.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Aripiprazole + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Aripiprazole Major
- Aripiprazole + Arsenic trioxide Major
- Aripiprazole + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Major
- Aripiprazole + Carbamazepine Major
Other interactions of Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aripiprazole with Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aripiprazole and Diphenhydramine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Diphenhydramine is a strongly sedating, anticholinergic antihistamine that can add to aripiprazole sedation and cognitive impairment. It is sometimes used to treat antipsychotic extrapyramidal symptoms, but anticholinergic burden can be significant.
How serious is the interaction between Aripiprazole and Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for oversedation, confusion, constipation and urinary retention, particularly in older adults, and use the lowest effective dose.
What other medicines interact with Aripiprazole?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Aripiprazole with, for example, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Aripiprazole page.
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