Loading Page...

Can you take Benadryl for red-eye flight?

Only medicate if you must. It's common to pop some Benadryl or Ambien to knock you out so that you can sleep through a red-eye flight. But make sure you only resort to this if you absolutely need to.



People Also Ask

Medication is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to treat the symptoms of a flying phobia, such as anxiety and nausea. These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax).

MORE DETAILS

If you have any allergy or cold-related symptoms, make sure you take an antihistamine or decongestant spray at least 30-45 minutes before your flight. Following this method can help alleviate any additional sinus pressure.

MORE DETAILS

These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

MORE DETAILS

Should you sleep after you take a red-eye flight? If you've been able to sleep during your trip you are likely to feel slightly better than those who were awake overnight, but even those who slept may wake up feeling slightly disoriented.

MORE DETAILS

The general guidance - supposedly backed by NASA research - is to maintain your normal sleep schedule the night prior, try to nap in the afternoon/evening prior to flying, and get to bed right after landing. My general experience is that staying up all night is relatively easy.

MORE DETAILS

Does Benadryl Help Anxiety? Although some people say that Benadryl helps their anxiety, it is not approved by the FDA for anxiety symptoms. Therefore, do not take it for anxiety unless your healthcare provider specifically recommends it. The only FDA-approved antihistamine for anxiety is hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril).

MORE DETAILS

People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

MORE DETAILS

If you suffer from allergies, consider a non-sedating antihistamine instead, such as loratadine (Claritin®) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Claritin and Allegra do not have wait times (after the initial ground trial).

MORE DETAILS

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

MORE DETAILS