Relevant Findings**
Yes, according to Lexidrugs, the loss of memory and cognition along with difficulty urinating are both side effects caused by diphenhydramine. The mechanism of this drug is to compete with histamine at receptors throughout the body and will cause “anticholinergic and sedative effects.” The number one precaution of administering diphenhydramine is that it can cause CNS depression and prevent coherent cognitive function of the patient. The CNS depression effects could be the likely cause of the patient’s loss of memory and cognition. Diphenhydramine also can cause trouble in the flow of urine, the amount of times a patient urinates, and excess buildup of urine in the body. Another adverse effect of diphenhydramine to warn …show more content…
To evaluate if the patient it taking the medication properly before instituting a change, I would make sure he is taking the recommended dose of 50mg of diphenhydramine thirty minutes before bedtime, avoiding alcohol consumption because it can cause further CNS sedation, and also avoiding other drug products that contain diphenhydramine in them that can cause increased sedative effects. Since the patient is 61 years old and would most likely continue diphenhydramine treatment into his geriatric age, I would warn the patient and doctor that the side effects can further worsen with age and block even more cognitive function. Furthermore, due to the major side effects being caused by diphenhydramine and the risk factors with increased age, I would recommend that the patient does not continue this drug therapy for his insomnia. If the patient or doctor were to ask for other over-the-counter recommendations, I would begin with the natural supplement and sleep aid, melatonin based on the extensive research done on this …show more content…
Specifically, it has been noted that diphenhydramine can cause CNS depression, sedated-like feelings in the brain and outer extremities, obstruction of urine flow in the bladder, and in some cases insomnia, a counter reaction for the patient’s condition. Usually, the recommended dose of diphenhydramine for adults is 50mg by mouth at bedtime, but since the patient is older in age, a high dose like 50mg can cause increased side effects of the medication. It is recommended for elderly patients to take 25mg by mouth at bedtime. If the 25mg oral dose is still too much, there is a 12mg solution available, but it may not serve as an appropriate dose for the treatment of insomnia. The tapering in dosages need to be monitored by the physicians to ensure desired affects are still be met for insomnia while reducing the adverse effects portrayed in the patient. I would also like to further question the patient to determine when he is taking the medication, if he is consuming other sedative products, and if he has tried alternative medications for the treatment of his insomnia.
Yes, according to Lexidrugs, the loss of memory and cognition along with difficulty urinating are both side effects caused by diphenhydramine. The mechanism of this drug is to compete with histamine at receptors throughout the body and will cause “anticholinergic and sedative effects.” The number one precaution of administering diphenhydramine is that it can cause CNS depression and prevent coherent cognitive function of the patient. The CNS depression effects could be the likely cause of the patient’s loss of memory and cognition. Diphenhydramine also can cause trouble in the flow of urine, the amount of times a patient urinates, and excess buildup of urine in the body. Another adverse effect of diphenhydramine to warn …show more content…
To evaluate if the patient it taking the medication properly before instituting a change, I would make sure he is taking the recommended dose of 50mg of diphenhydramine thirty minutes before bedtime, avoiding alcohol consumption because it can cause further CNS sedation, and also avoiding other drug products that contain diphenhydramine in them that can cause increased sedative effects. Since the patient is 61 years old and would most likely continue diphenhydramine treatment into his geriatric age, I would warn the patient and doctor that the side effects can further worsen with age and block even more cognitive function. Furthermore, due to the major side effects being caused by diphenhydramine and the risk factors with increased age, I would recommend that the patient does not continue this drug therapy for his insomnia. If the patient or doctor were to ask for other over-the-counter recommendations, I would begin with the natural supplement and sleep aid, melatonin based on the extensive research done on this …show more content…
Specifically, it has been noted that diphenhydramine can cause CNS depression, sedated-like feelings in the brain and outer extremities, obstruction of urine flow in the bladder, and in some cases insomnia, a counter reaction for the patient’s condition. Usually, the recommended dose of diphenhydramine for adults is 50mg by mouth at bedtime, but since the patient is older in age, a high dose like 50mg can cause increased side effects of the medication. It is recommended for elderly patients to take 25mg by mouth at bedtime. If the 25mg oral dose is still too much, there is a 12mg solution available, but it may not serve as an appropriate dose for the treatment of insomnia. The tapering in dosages need to be monitored by the physicians to ensure desired affects are still be met for insomnia while reducing the adverse effects portrayed in the patient. I would also like to further question the patient to determine when he is taking the medication, if he is consuming other sedative products, and if he has tried alternative medications for the treatment of his insomnia.