Compare Benadryl vs. Lunesta
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats allergy symptoms and helps you sleep.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is great for allergies, but curl up on the couch after taking it and get ready for a nap.
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4.1/ 5 average rating with 294 reviewsforBenadryl
Helps you sleep.
Lunesta (Eszopiclone) is good for falling asleep and staying asleep. Not as habit-forming as some sleep medicines, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 592 reviewsforLunesta
Upsides
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is often better than other antihistamines at treating allergy symptoms and hives.
- It can provide quick relief of allergy symptoms for both kids and adults.
- It makes you sleepy, so it'll help if your allergies are bothering you at night.
- The effects wear off in 4 to 6 hours, so side effects don't last that long.
- It comes as a tablet, capsule, liquid, and quick dissolving tablet.
- Effective at helping people fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
- Not as habit-forming, so you can use it for longer than most other sleep medicines.
Downsides
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) makes you more tired than Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec.
- You shouldn't drive after taking Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) until you know how it affects you.
- Talk to a pediatrician before giving Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) to a child.
- It can increase the risk of falls, so elderly people shouldn't use Benadryl (Diphenhydramine).
- Don't use Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) if you are breastfeeding.
- More likely to cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
- Might not be safe if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease, or a condition that affects metabolism.
- It's easy to become reliant on sleep medicines. In the long run, it's better to learn good sleeping habits and behavior so that you can sleep better naturally.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Oral solution
- Cream, gel, or ointment
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$2.20
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$12.67
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Reviews
294 reviews so far
86%
saidit'sworth it
59%
saiditworked well
8%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)?
Leave a review592 reviews so far
55%
saidit'sworth it
36%
saiditworked well
17%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lunesta (Eszopiclone)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
10possible side effects
- Headache15%
- Unpleasant Taste8%
- Dyspepsia6%
- Pain4%
- Diarrhea4%
- Pruritus4%
- Dry Mouth3%
- Abnormal Dreams3%
- Neuralgia3%
- Urinary Tract Infection3%
Risks and risk factors
- Overdose
- Using other drugs with the same ingredients
- Increased side effects
- Age 65 years or older
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Hyperactivity
- Children age 6 years and younger
- Trouble urinating
- Enlarged prostate
- History of bladder problems
- Vision changes
- Glaucoma
- Breastfeeding
- Nursing mothers
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Continuous use for 2 weeks or more
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Less than 7 hours of sleep.
- Abnormal thoughts
- Undiagnosed psychiatric conditions
- Sleep driving
- Taking with alcohol or drugs that acts in the brain
- Serious allergic reactions
- Risk of falls and injury
- Elderly
- Higher dose
- Liver problems
- Taking Lunesta (Eszopiclone) with other nervous system depressants
- Long-term use
- Risk to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Breast-feeding