Drug interactions
Diphenhydramine + Papaverine
Severity: Minor
Diphenhydramine and Papaverine: minor 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 sedating antihistamine and papaverine can occasionally cause drowsiness or dizziness. Taken together, they may increase drowsiness and impair alertness, although the effect from papaverine is modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenhydramine and Papaverine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory; Papaverine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depression, with the sedating effect mainly from diphenhydramine.
What to do
Warn the patient about drowsiness and advise against driving or operating machinery until the response is known. Reduce the antihistamine dose or choose a non-sedating antihistamine if sedation is troublesome.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Papaverine
- Givinostat + Papaverine Major
- Bretylium + Papaverine Moderate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Papaverine Moderate
- Carbidopa + Papaverine Moderate
Other interactions of Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenhydramine with Papaverine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Diphenhydramine and Papaverine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine and papaverine can occasionally cause drowsiness or dizziness. Taken together, they may increase drowsiness and impair alertness, although the effect from papaverine is modest.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenhydramine and Papaverine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Warn the patient about drowsiness and advise against driving or operating machinery until the response is known. Reduce the antihistamine dose or choose a non-sedating antihistamine if sedation is troublesome.
What other medicines interact with Papaverine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Papaverine with, for example, Givinostat, Bretylium, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates. The full list is on the Papaverine page.
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