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Benadryl Research Paper

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One in five people in the United States suffered from allergies or asthma symptoms (Allergy Statistics and Facts, webmd.com) . Most people at some point have taken or bought Benadryl to relieve an allergic reaction, itchiness, or for the common cold. In 1943, George Rieveschl discovered diphenhydramine while researching muscle relaxers. Eventually, Rieveschl changed the name of the antihistamine relief drug from diphenhydramine into Benadryl. Benadryl is now a common household name, that has various uses, ways to be taken, and side effects. Rieveschl discovered diphenhydramine while doing a study on muscles relaxers as a professor at the University of Cincinnati. Diphenhydramine has the ability to block the receptors in the capillaries that are affected by histamines. Rieveschl found that Benadryl is a perfect drug to relieve allergies because when taking the drug it reduces the amount of histamines in the body that are released. Histamines causes the body to undergo runny noses, watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. In 1943 …show more content…

Some of the acute side effects of diphenhydramine are dry eyes, day-time drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, or constipation. Diphenhydramine can also cause increased chest congestion, nervousness, loss of appetite, vomiting, headache, muscle weakness, and excitement(mostly in children (Diphenhydramine, nih.gov). Some of the chronic side effects of diphenhydramine are vision loss, difficulty urinating or painful urination, and thickening of bronchial secretions. If any of the acute side effects became too severe or did not go away, a doctor would need to be contacted because that could lead to hypersensitivity, nervous system, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal problems. Once any of the chronic side effects became present after or during the use of diphenhydramine a doctor should be contacted immediately to prevent anymore damage to the individual’s

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