Skin rash or irritation after Diphenhydramine in dogs

190 reports to the FDA describe skin rash or irritation in dogs given Diphenhydramine. That is 4.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

190Reports

56%Marked serious

17%Recovered

8.9%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

39 25%

1–2 days

21 14%

3–7 days

19 12%

1–4 weeks

29 19%

Over a month

46 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

32 17%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

93 49%

Died

8 4.2%

Euthanised

9 4.7%

Not known

47 25%

Problems reported at the same time

69 36%

56 29%

56 29%

55 29%

53 28%

49 26%

45 24%

42 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Diphenhydramine cause skin rash or irritation in dogs?: 190 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 7 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

Skin rash or irritation after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 180 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 71 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Butorphanol 74 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Cefpodoxime 299 reports · 7.4% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Tramadol 108 reports · 2.9% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 66 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 66 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Propofol 49 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Dirlotapide 41 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Isoflurane 36 reports · 1.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation