Diphenhydramine (also known as Benadryl®) is a medicine used to treat allergic reactions, hives and allergies that affect the nose (called nasal allergies).

It is an “over-the-counter” medicine, meaning that you can get it without a doctor’s prescription. There are other medicines like diphenhydramine that might be safer for young children.

The table* below can help you figure out the right amount of diphenhydramine to give. Use your child’s weight to decide on the right amount. You can find the weight in the top row of the chart.