A recent European report reitirates an important fact about over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Benadryl. It warns that the older antihistamines in over-the-counter allergy medications -- the most common form of self-medication in allergic rhinitis -- may be hazardous to our health.

The findings suggest that first-generation H1-antihistamines not only make patients drowsy, but also reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, impair learning, and reduce efficiency at work the next day. In addition, first-generation H1-antihistamines have been implicated in numerous civil aviation, motor vehicle, and boating accidents, and even deaths as a result of accidental or intentional overdosing in infants and young children. First-generation H1-antihistamines have also been linked to suicide cases in both teenagers and adults.

New generation antihistamines on the contrary have shown an equivalent efficacy to treat symptoms while clinical studies and patients report fewer adverse effects. The review ultimately questions whether, for consumer protection reasons, first generation H1-antihistamines should still be available as over-the-counter self-medication.

Antihistamines are most frequently used drugs for treating seasonal and chronic allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis. More than 30% of the EU and US population are potential users, safety is thus paramount.

Patients, parents, physicians and consumers should remember that some medications may do more harm than good in certain situations.