My Doctor said benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is a popular abused substance. Is he crazy or am I?

I had the pharmacy fax a refill and he called me in. What up?

When dr's prescribe medicine that will need a refill, some dr's ask the patient to come back in to see if the medicine has helped before they refill.

As far as Benadryl being abused, I myself have never heard of that and I used to work in a pharmacy.

I believe your dr is just seeing how your doing since being on the medicine. You should be fine.

If you need a refill, that's absolutely fine and your doctor is being a tad paranoid. Regardless, diphenhydramine really is a commonly abused substance; he's right. Tell him that you need more for medical reasons and you're not going to get hooked. People enjoy the drowsy feeling it causes. Allergies are a more prominent reason to take benadryl, so you're absolutely fine.

I wouldn't call it popular, but recreational abuse is not unheard of. Perhaps millions of people take it more than they're supposed to because they develop a tolerance, which is probably what he was talking about.

In any case, OTC diphenhydramine is just as good. You're probably overpaying for the prescription.

Benadryl does not require a prescription.

I have never heard of anyone abusing Benadryl. I have heard of Sudafed and dextromorphan being abused. I have also heard of laxatives being abused. I don't see how that drug is being abused.

I've never heard of people using benadryl as a recreational drug, but I'm sure someone out there does. I don't think it's common, though. If it was such a big issue, why do they still have benadryl that you can get without a prescription? I think your doctor may be a bit too paranoid.

switch doctors he is crazy!