HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy. Prescribed With Prednisone And Valtrex. Is It Safe To Give Diphenhydramine During Night?

default
Posted on Fri, 29 Nov 2013
Question: My 17 year daughter was just diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. She has been prescribed 10mg Prednisone, and Valtrex, which she took this evening at 8pm. It is now almost midnight and she is having a hard time sleeping-is it safe to give her a nighttime sleep aid such as diphenhydramine?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rakesh Karanwal (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Diphenhydramine can be given. Zolpidem preferred Detailed Answer: Hi Mrs. XXXXXXX Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX Forum. Firstly, you can give diphenhydramine as it does not interact with the medications your daughter is already taking. However, Zolpidem 5mg would be a better proposition for sleep. Further, if I had been your daughter's treating doctor, I would have followed the standard practice of prescribing Prednisone with starting dose of 1mg/kg body weight. For example, if your daughter's weight is say, 50kg, the initial dose of Prednisone should have been 50mg/day, which is then reduced by 5mg everyday. An initial high dose hastens recovery. It is is my personal opinion. You may however, re-consult your daughter's treating doctor, who may like to review his prescription. Hope you find my response helpful, informative and enlightening. I would be happy to answer further clarifications, if any. Fond regards, Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 1357 Questions

Ask a specialist now
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Neurologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy. Prescribed With Prednisone And Valtrex. Is It Safe To Give Diphenhydramine During Night?

Brief Answer: Diphenhydramine can be given. Zolpidem preferred Detailed Answer: Hi Mrs. XXXXXXX Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX Forum. Firstly, you can give diphenhydramine as it does not interact with the medications your daughter is already taking. However, Zolpidem 5mg would be a better proposition for sleep. Further, if I had been your daughter's treating doctor, I would have followed the standard practice of prescribing Prednisone with starting dose of 1mg/kg body weight. For example, if your daughter's weight is say, 50kg, the initial dose of Prednisone should have been 50mg/day, which is then reduced by 5mg everyday. An initial high dose hastens recovery. It is is my personal opinion. You may however, re-consult your daughter's treating doctor, who may like to review his prescription. Hope you find my response helpful, informative and enlightening. I would be happy to answer further clarifications, if any. Fond regards, Dr. Rakesh Karanwal