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Medically reviewed by Militian Inessa Mesropovna, PharmD. Last updated on 18.04.2022
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sleep disorders
Wal-Som is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and are sometimes used a sleep aids.
Wal-Som is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.
Wal-Som is also used as a short-term treatment for sleep problems (insomnia).
Wal-Som may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
Wal-Som 5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
10 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily.
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Wal-Som 5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
10 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily.
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia
12 years of age and older: 25 mg orally 30 minutes before bed
Maximum dose: Take once daily or as directed by physician
Comments: Do not use 25 mg Wal-Som in children under 12 years of age
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
Wal-Som 5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
12 years or older: 10 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily
6 years to under 12 years: 5 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Wal-Som 5 mg oral tablet, chewable:
12 years or older: 10 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily
6 years to under 12 years: 5 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 6 doses daily
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Dialysis
Data not available
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Wal-Som?
Severe liver disease; avoid alcohol; premature infants or full-term neonates.
Use Wal-Som as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Wal-Som by mouth with or without food.
- Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
- Use Wal-Som exactly as directed on the package, unless instructed differently by your doctor. If you are taking Wal-Som without a prescription, follow any warnings and precautions on the label.
- If you miss a dose of Wal-Som and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Wal-Som.
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Diphenhydramine can also be used to help you relax and fall asleep.
This medication works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Its drying effects on such symptoms as watery eyes and runny nose are caused by blocking another natural substance made by your body (acetylcholine).
Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Therefore, do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Some products (such as long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.
These products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Diphenhydramine is also used alone or with other medications to treat shaking (tremor) and muscle stiffness caused by Parkinson's disease. It may also be used to treat side effects of certain psychiatric drugs such as involuntary movements and muscle stiffness (such as EPS). It works by blocking acetylcholine.
How to use Wal-Som (diphenhydramine)
Follow all directions on the product package. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take the tablet, capsule, or liquid form by mouth with or without food. Measure liquid forms of this medication using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If you have a single-dose form of this medication (such as a single-use whistle), you do not need to measure the dose.
The rapidly-dissolving tablet or strip should be allowed to dissolve on the tongue and then swallowed, with or without water. The chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before being swallowed.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. There are many brands and forms of diphenhydramine available. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product because the amount of diphenhydramine may be different between products. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed.
To prevent motion sickness, take your dose 30 minutes before starting activity such as travel. To help you sleep, take your dose about 30 minutes before bedtime. If you continue to have difficulty sleeping for longer than 2 weeks, contact your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
See also:
What other drugs will affect Wal-Som?
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, other antihistamines (such as chlorpheniramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including allergy skin test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Wal-Som?
Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, stomach upset, blurred vision, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion), difficulty urinating, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Histamine H1 antagonist with pronounced sedative properties. It is used in allergies and as an antitussive, antiemetic, and hypnotic. Wal-Som has also been administered in veterinary applications and was formerly used in parkinsonism. [PubChem]