Is diphenhydramine safe to take? Could they increase damage to the optic nerve?
Diphenhydramine, the active ingrediant in the antihistamine Benadryl, is safe for patients with open-angle glaucoma. Antihistamines should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. This class of medications can increase the risk of a narrow-angle attack in patients with occludable angles who have not undergone a preventive peripheral iridotomy procedure. Your eye doctor can provide you with more details about this topic.