Chemicals and Drugs

Diphenhydramine

A histamine H1 antagonist used as an antiemetic, antitussive, for dermatoses and pruritus, for hypersensitivity reactions, as a hypnotic, an antiparkinson, and as an ingredient in common cold preparations. It has some undesired antimuscarinic and sedative effects.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A histamine H1 antagonist used as an antiemetic, antitussive, for dermatoses and pruritus, for hypersensitivity reactions, as a hypnotic, an antiparkinson, and as an ingredient in common cold preparations. It has some undesired antimuscarinic and sedative effects.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C17H21NO
Molecular Weight
255.35 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
58-73-1
IUPAC Name
2-benzhydryloxy-N,N-dimethylethanamine
InChIKey
ZZVUWRFHKOJYTH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
CN(C)CCOC(C1=CC=CC=C1)C2=CC=CC=C2
MeSH Unique ID
D004155
Source
PubChem CID 3100

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • 2-Diphenylmethoxy-N,N-dimethylethylamine
  • Benhydramin
  • Benzhydramine
  • Diphenylhydramin
  • Diphenylhydramine
  • Allerdryl
  • Benadryl
  • Benylin
  • Dimedrol
  • Diphenhydramine Citrate
  • Diphenhydramine Citrate (1:1)
  • Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
  • Dormin
  • Citrate, Diphenhydramine
  • Hydrochloride, Diphenhydramine

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D02w.092w.471.320w
  2. D02w.455w.426w.559w.389.115w.250w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 157

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Diphenhydramine. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004155. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004155
  2. Diphenhydramine. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphenhydramine
  3. Diphenhydramine. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q413486
  4. Diphenhydramine. In: PubChem Compound. CID 3100. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3100