Prescription

What is the maximum safe daily dosage of benadryl(capsule)when used to ease itch from other medications & any suggestions on what I might use when that amount is not effective or working!
Thank you!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Trick question:  The usual Bendadryl dose is 25 milligrams up to 4 times a day.  Some people take 50 mg at a time.  Of course, many people can't function when they take even one of the smaller pills, because it makes them too drowsy, but this doesn't happen to everyone.

The tricky part of your question is your reference to itch "from other medications."  If you're really having a drug allergy, nothing will help besides stopping the offending pill.  If not, you should find out what you do have, and treat it accordingly.  Benadryl is no more than a method to tide things over.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff