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Explain this to me Tylenol PM vs. Benadryl.

JulieandBenJulieandBen member
in 3rd Trimester

Why is it that even though the sleep agents are the same in both of these products they act very different? Tylenol PM makes me sleepy but very jumpy in bed. I fall asleep but jerk awake every couple minutes yet Benadryl works just fine with no issues? I only took the Tylenol because my body hurt so bad last night.

I don't really expect an answer. I just think it's weird. Regular Tylenol doesn't give me this weird effect, which makes me think it's the sleep agent in it. 

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Re: Explain this to me Tylenol PM vs. Benadryl.

  • ZacksBrideZacksBride
    not sure why this would be.  they are exactly the same thing.  tylenol pm is just benadryl with tylenol added. maybe its some of the inactive ingredients/preservatives that your body reacts differently to?
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  • JinglesChicJinglesChic member
    It's not the result of the sleep agents, but the active ingredients. I'm assuming the Tylenol is a pain reliever/cough/cold and the Benadryl is for allergies. I get jumpy every time I take Sudafed for a cold and Benadryl is known to make you drowsy (even the non-drowsy formula can do it) because of how it effects your body.




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  • JulieandBenJulieandBen member

    imageJinglesChic:
    It's not the result of the sleep agents, but the active ingredients. I'm assuming the Tylenol is a pain reliever/cough/cold and the Benadryl is for allergies. I get jumpy every time I take Sudafed for a cold and Benadryl is known to make you drowsy (even the non-drowsy formula can do it) because of how it effects your body.

    I'm not taking a Tylenol cold product. Just the Tylenol PM. I think the other poster is right. Perhaps my body is reacting to some inactive ingredient. 

    It's just so weird to me. 

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  • JoshandBeckyJoshandBecky
    I have to share my pharmacist knowledge on this one so no one gets confused. Tylenol PM is 500 mg of acetaminophen with 25 mg of diphenydramine (Benadryl). That's the only difference. Check the strength that you end up taking, because if you take 2 Tylenol PM, you will be taking 50 mg diphenhydramine which could be affecting you more than taking one plain Benadryl tab. Sleep
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  • Meg1031Meg1031

    imageJoshandBecky:
    I have to share my pharmacist knowledge on this one so no one gets confused. Tylenol PM is 500 mg of acetaminophen with 25 mg of diphenydramine (Benadryl). That's the only difference. Check the strength that you end up taking, because if you take 2 Tylenol PM, you will be taking 50 mg diphenhydramine which could be affecting you more than taking one plain Benadryl tab. Sleep

     

    I was going to say exactly this.  I have had many patients that I have had to educate about how much of what is in the meds they take.  It is not uncommon for people to get a little restless from higher dose benadryl- although some don't react.

    I have a coworker who cannot take it at all.  she had a bad reaction once where she had an almost psychotic episode, crawling on the ground, shaking, felt out of her mind.  She is a nurse, and her hubby a Pharm D.  She laughs about it now.  Poor thing. 

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  • JulieandBenJulieandBen member
    imageMeg1031:

    imageJoshandBecky:
    I have to share my pharmacist knowledge on this one so no one gets confused. Tylenol PM is 500 mg of acetaminophen with 25 mg of diphenydramine (Benadryl). That's the only difference. Check the strength that you end up taking, because if you take 2 Tylenol PM, you will be taking 50 mg diphenhydramine which could be affecting you more than taking one plain Benadryl tab. Sleep

     

    I was going to say exactly this.  I have had many patients that I have had to educate about how much of what is in the meds they take.  It is not uncommon for people to get a little restless from higher dose benadryl- although some don't react.

    I have a coworker who cannot take it at all.  she had a bad reaction once where she had an almost psychotic episode, crawling on the ground, shaking, felt out of her mind.  She is a nurse, and her hubby a Pharm D.  She laughs about it now.  Poor thing. 

    That's interesting and good to know. The thing is I can take two Benadryl without any problems. I usually do just take one though. I will try one Tylenol and see how that does next time. Thanks again to both of you! 

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