Hello ! I have an allergic reaction probably to amoxicillin (hives and itchy hands the day after I last took it). I took a 24 hour reactin last night and I have some Benadryl for children with me. Should I take it and if so, how much?

Hello,

Yes, it would be appropriate to take Benadryl to relieve itching and hives. However, you should know that Benadryl can cause drowsiness and that you should not drive after taking the medication. The adult dose is 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours, I don't know what formulation you have but if it's the children's liquid (6.25 mg of diphenhydramine in 5 ml, validate by reading on the side of the box) you will need 40 ml to make the 50 mg dose

If your symptoms do not improve despite taking Benadryl and Reactin, it would be best to consult a doctor. Also, it would be appropriate to have an allergy test in the near future to confirm the cause of your allergy. Finally, as an extra tip, you can apply cold water compresses and unscented moisturizer to calm your itching. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me or your pharmacist. Sincerely,

Marie-Michèle Ghazal, pharmacist