How is benadryl and sleeping pills the same thing?

[Tammyhiles]

I read that sleeping pills (diphenhydramine) is the exact same thing as bendadryl? How is this possible? Benadryl obviously treats allergy symptoms, but all the diphenhydramine does is make people sleep.

I think it's the antihistamine as the active sleepy ingredient, I used to use Piraton on holiday and fell asleep all over the place, then I discovered Piriteze which treats allergy symptoms but is non drowsy. The lady in the chemist told me that Nytol contains a big antihistamine dose as the active sleepy ingredient, hopefully someone who knows what their talking about will post

Yeah that type of antihistamine also makes you drowsy. Drugs can have more than one action on the body (not sure of the details in this case) - interesting isn't it.

For example the tablets I've been prescribed today for vertigo are also used in the treatment of schizophrenia... (Eeeak) guess DH won't need to worry about mood swings while I'm on them.

I found this thread at random and I have to say I'm happy I did. Hayfever has kicked in this week and the supermarket anti-histamine wasn't up to much; and dp is on nights this week so I will have to take my nytol to get to sleep. Hopefully now I know this ill be able to breath as well!