Question:
Can I take Benadryl one week before surgery?

I occasionally take Benadryl to sleep. The closer I get to my date the more trouble I have sleeping through the night. I tried to contact my surgeons office today to ask, but they were closed so I was wondering if anyone here knew the answer. Thanks    — Erin N. (posted on February 13, 2004)

February 13, 2004
Hi Erin. Congratulations and good luck on your big day! <g> I know exactly how you feel when you say you're unable to sleep..I went through that too. My surgeon gave me specific instructions as to what I could and could not take. Have you tried Tylenol PM? I couldn't take ibuprophen or anything that would thin my blood, but I could take acetamenophin(sp?). I ended up calling my PCP though and he called in a prescription for Ambien which was an absolute "dream" ..lol excuse the pun! Good luck dear..Christal
   — huggygrrl

February 13, 2004
Original poster here- I believe the sleep ingredient in Tylenol PM is the same ingredient in Benadryl so I guess that means Benadryl is o.k. Anybody know for sure? Thanks again
   — Erin N.

February 13, 2004
Ask your Dr of course before taking it. There is liquid benadryl that would be better than the pill form after surgery. Just watch out for the sugar content you could dump from it.
   — jenafwife

February 14, 2004
The best person to ask is your doctor or the Anesthesiologist. What drugs are in your system will matter to them as each person's medical and blood work is different, and can affect your bleeding time along with other variables.
   — Anna M.

February 14, 2004
They gave me some in the hospital right after surgery. I broke out from a medication. Worked great! ~Jennifer
   — Zankri