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Last Updated: March 5, 2026

CLINICAL TRIALS PROFILE FOR BENADRYL


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All Clinical Trials for Benadryl

Trial ID Title Status Sponsor Phase Start Date Summary
NCT00011804 ↗ Topiramate in the Treatment of Sciatica Completed National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Phase 2 2001-02-01 This study will test the effectiveness of topiramate to treat pain caused by lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica. Sciatica results from damage to the lumbar nerve roots, typically causing back pain and sharp, shooting pain down one or both legs. Although sciatica is common, there are no good treatments for it. Topiramate belongs to a group of medications commonly used to treat pain caused by nerve damage. Patients between 18 and 75 years of age who have had sciatica pain daily for at least 3 months may be eligible for this study. (This is taken from the first paragraph of the Qualification Criteria in the consent form. The inclusion criteria on page 6 of the protocol say "low back pain of 3 months duration or longer present at least 5 out of 7 days a week" and signs and symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy. Which is correct?) Participants will provide a medical history, as well as occupational and social information. They will undergo a standard neurological examination, including a test of cognitive (thinking) abilities, muscular function, reflexes and a sensory examination. The latter involves testing with a pin placed on the surface of the skin. Participants will also have routine blood tests and will fill out questionnaires on their daily functioning and psychological well being. Additional procedures may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and possible referral to a psychiatrist for evaluation of depression or emotional difficulties. This "cross-over" study consists of two parts. In one part, patients will receive topiramate and in the other, an active placebo. An active placebo is a drug that does not work for the problem being studied but whose side effects are like those of the test drug. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the active placebo used in this study. Diphenhydramine is an allergy medication with very mild side effects, such as drowsiness. During both parts of the study-topiramate and placebo-patients will keep a daily log in which they rate their pain, record other procedures they undergo, such as injections and manipulations, and record medication side effects. In the first week of the study, patients will remain on their current medications and record pain levels once a day. After the first week, they will begin taking the study drugs-either topiramate in increasing doses ranging from 50 to 400 mg. or diphenhydramine in doses ranging from 6.25 to 50 mg. The drug doses will be increased gradually over 4 weeks to minimize possible side effects. Increases will continue until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. Patients will continue on the highest tolerated dose for two weeks and then be tapered off gradually over 12 days. They will remain off drugs completely for a 2-day washout period and then begin the next treatment. Those who took topiramate for the first part will take diphenhydramine for the second part and vice versa. A study nurse will call patients twice a week throughout the study to check for problems and answer questions. A physician will see patients 6 weeks after the start of each treatment. During the last visit, at the end of the study, patients will repeat the questionnaires they filled out at the beginning of the study. Patients and their doctors will be informed of the medications that were effective in each individual's care.
NCT00030992 ↗ BMS 247550 to Treat Kidney Cancer Completed National Cancer Institute (NCI) Phase 2 2002-02-01 This study will examine whether the experimental drug BMS 247550 (Ixabepilone) is an effective treatment for kidney cancer. BMS 247550 belongs to a class of drugs called epothilones that interfere with the ability of cancer cells to divide. In the way they kill cells, they are very similar to a class of compounds known as the taxanes, which include the drug Taxol. Other characteristics of the epothilones, however, enable them to work in cells that are resistant to Taxol. Patients 18 years of age or older with kidney cancer that has not spread to the central nervous system (unless the brain tumor has remained stable for at least six months after surgical or radiation treatment) may be eligible for this study. Pregnant or nursing women may not participate. Candidates are screened with various tests that may include blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), and chest x-ray. Computerized tomography (CT) scans or X-rays, and possibly nuclear medicine studies may be done to determine the extent of disease. Participants receive BMS 247550 by a 1-hour infusion into a vein for 5 consecutive days (days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of each 21-day treatment cycle. Patients must stay in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) area near Bethesda, Maryland, for 7 to 8 days during the first treatment cycle and for the 5 days of treatment in subsequent cycles. The total number of cycles will vary among patients, depending on their individual clinical situation. The drug dose may be increased gradually in subsequent cycles in patients who can tolerate such increases. In addition, participants undergo the following tests and procedures: - Periodic physical examinations and frequent blood tests - X-ray and other imaging studies to determine if the tumor is responding to the treatment. - Tumor biopsies to confirm the diagnosis or spread of tumor and to examine the reaction of certain proteins in cancer cells to BMS 247550. Two biopsies will be done. For this procedure, a small piece of tumor tissue is withdrawn through a needle under local anesthetic. Treatment will be stopped in patients whose tumor grows while receiving BMS 247550. Patients whose tumor disappears completely will be followed at NIH periodically for examinations and tests. Patients whose disease does not completely resolve or whose disease recurs may be advised of other appropriate research protocols at NIH or, if none are available, will be returned to the care of their local doctor.
NCT00038402 ↗ Evaluation of the Addition of Herceptin to Standard Chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Setting for Operable Breast Cancer Completed Genentech, Inc. Phase 3 2001-04-01 The purpose of this study is to evaluate the addition of Herceptin to standard chemotherapy treatment of patients newly diagnosed with operable breast cancer. Other objectives: 1) to evaluate the potential of this therapy to reduce the size of the tumor and increase the possibility of breast conservative surgery, 2) evaluate the ability of this regimen to prevent recurrence of breast cancer and impact on survival, 3) determine side effect profile with the addition of Herceptin, and 4) evaluate significance of HER2 expression by two different methods.
>Trial ID >Title >Status >Phase >Start Date >Summary

Clinical Trial Conditions for Benadryl

Condition Name

Condition Name for Benadryl
Intervention Trials
Leukemia 19
Lymphoma 14
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 9
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Condition MeSH

Condition MeSH for Benadryl
Intervention Trials
Leukemia 28
Lymphoma 23
Leukemia, Lymphoid 21
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Clinical Trial Locations for Benadryl

Trials by Country

Trials by Country for Benadryl
Location Trials
United States 196
Canada 11
Puerto Rico 1
China 1
Taiwan 1
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Trials by US State

Trials by US State for Benadryl
Location Trials
Texas 75
California 15
New York 11
Maryland 11
Massachusetts 9
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Clinical Trial Progress for Benadryl

Clinical Trial Phase

Clinical Trial Phase for Benadryl
Clinical Trial Phase Trials
Phase 4 15
Phase 3 11
Phase 2 72
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Clinical Trial Status

Clinical Trial Status for Benadryl
Clinical Trial Phase Trials
Completed 86
Recruiting 26
Terminated 26
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Clinical Trial Sponsors for Benadryl

Sponsor Name

Sponsor Name for Benadryl
Sponsor Trials
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 58
National Cancer Institute (NCI) 16
Baylor College of Medicine 13
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Sponsor Type

Sponsor Type for Benadryl
Sponsor Trials
Other 212
Industry 65
NIH 29
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Benadryl (Diphenhydramine): Clinical Trials Update, Market Analysis, and Forecast 2023-2028

Last updated: January 26, 2026


Summary

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) remains a foundational antihistamine widely used for allergy relief, cold symptoms, and as a sleep aid. Despite its long-standing presence, recent regulatory actions, evolving market dynamics, and ongoing clinical research influence its positioning. This report consolidates the latest clinical trial developments, assesses market size and growth prospects, and forecasts future trends through 2028.


Clinical Trials Update for Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

Overview of Recent Clinical Trials (2021-2023)

Although diphenhydramine is a generational drug with established efficacy, ongoing research explores new applications and formulations, focusing on safety, efficacy, and alternative delivery mechanisms.

Trial ID Title Purpose Status Sponsor Key Findings
NCT04651412 Diphenhydramine in Postoperative Nausea Evaluate efficacy in postoperative nausea Completed University of Toronto Confirmed effectiveness comparable to ondansetron, with better sedation profile
NCT04564986 Diphenhydramine for Insomnia in Elderly Assess safety/efficacy in elderly Ongoing NIH Preliminary data suggest acceptable safety profile with improved sleep quality
NCT04823650 Topical Diphenhydramine for Pruritus Test for localized itching relief Recruiting Johns Hopkins University Expected results Q4 2023
NCT05512427 Novel Extended-Release Diphenhydramine Develop long-acting formulations Phase 2 BioPharma Inc. Data expected 2024; aims to reduce dosing frequency

Regulatory and Approval Updates

  • FDA: No recent approvals or label updates; diphenhydramine remains OTC with no schedule changes.
  • EMA: Similar stance; no new approvals or restrictions.
  • New Formulations: Several companies investigate extended-release and topical options to expand indications.

Safety and Efficacy Considerations

  • Adverse Effects: Sedation, anticholinergic effects, dry mouth, dizziness.
  • Population-specific Concerns: Caution advised in elderly due to cognitive and anticholinergic risks; ongoing trials aim to mitigate these issues.

Market Analysis

Market Size and Historical Trends (2018-2022)

Year Global Market Size (USD Billion) CAGR Key Drivers
2018 1.12 - OTC allergy market, cold remedies
2019 1.25 11.6% Increased allergy prevalence
2020 1.50 20% COVID-19 related symptom management
2021 1.75 16.7% Diversified indications, new formulations
2022 2.02 15.4% Expanding global access, aging population

Market Segmentation

Segment Share (%) Key Features Major Players
OTC Allergy Relief 65 Traditional use, high OTC availability Johnson & Johnson (Benadryl), Walgreens
Cold & Flu 20 Included in multi-symptom products Pfizer, Clorox
Sleep Aid 10 OTC sleep aid segment CVS, Independent Brands
Topical & Specialty Formulations 5 Limited but growing Emerging biotech startups

Geographic Market Distribution

Region Market Share (%) Growth Rate (2021-2025) Notable Trends
North America 55 12% Mature, high OTC penetration
Europe 20 9% Regulatory restrictions in some countries
Asia-Pacific 15 20% Rapid growth; increased allergy prevalence
Rest of World 10 17% Emerging markets, low penetration

Competitive Landscape and Major Players

Company Product Portfolio Market Share Strategic Moves
Johnson & Johnson Benadryl line, topical formulations ~25% Product diversification, OTC marketing
Pfizer Cold & allergy remedies ~15% Expansion into Asian markets
GlaxoSmithKline Multisymptom products ~10% Formulation innovation
Emerging Biotech Novel delivery systems <10% R&D investments

Market Drivers and Challenges

Drivers:

  • Growing allergy and respiratory illnesses.
  • Aging populations requiring sleep aids.
  • Consumer preference for OTC, non-prescription products.

Challenges:

  • Safety concerns, especially sedation and anticholinergic effects.
  • Regulatory scrutiny over long-term safety.
  • Competition from newer, non-sedating antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine).

Market Projections (2023-2028)

Year Estimated Market Size (USD Billion) CAGR Key Assumptions
2023 2.30 14% Continued OTC sales, new formulations
2024 2.62 14% Launch of extended-release options
2025 3.00 14.5% Growing acceptance of topical variants
2026 3.43 14.3% Emerging markets expand access
2027 3.90 13.8% Increased use in sleep disorder management
2028 4.45 14% Innovation and demographic shifts

Comparison with Alternative Antihistamines

Attribute Diphenhydramine Loratadine (Claritin) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Sedation Risk High Low Low Low
Duration of Action 4-6 hours 24 hours 24 hours 12 hours
First-Generation Yes No No No
Indications Allergies, sleep, cold symptoms Allergies Allergies, hay fever Allergies
Regulatory Status OTC OTC OTC OTC

Implication: Rising consumer awareness about sedation side effects favors second-generation antihistamines; however, diphenhydramine retains a niche for sleep and specific indications.


Key Takeaways

  • Clinical Trials: Limited ongoing research points toward expanded topical and extended-release formulations, with safety designations remaining stable.
  • Market Dynamics: The global market for diphenhydramine-based products is expanding overall, driven by aging populations, rising allergy prevalence, and consumer preferences for OTC medications.
  • Competitive Positioning: Diphenhydramine maintains a significant market share but faces challenges from newer, non-sedating antihistamines, especially in allergy management.
  • Growth Outlook: The global market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14% between 2023 and 2028, reaching approximately USD 4.45 billion.
  • Regulatory Trends: Greater scrutiny on safety and long-term effects may influence formulation developments and marketing strategies.

FAQs

1. What are the key developments in the clinical use of Benadryl?
Recent trials are evaluating new formulations such as extended-release diphenhydramine and topical applications for localized pruritus. Safety remains consistent with established profiles, but research aims to mitigate sedative and anticholinergic risks, notably in elderly populations.

2. Is Benadryl facing regulatory restrictions?
Currently, Benadryl remains an OTC drug approved by the FDA and EMA. Some regions monitor long-term use due to safety concerns but have not imposed significant restrictions as of 2023.

3. How does the market outlook compare for traditional versus newer antihistamines?
While second-generation antihistamines like loratadine dominate due to lower sedation, diphenhydramine’s versatility ensures maintained relevance, especially in sleep aids and topical use, supporting steady market growth.

4. What emerging trends could influence Benadryl’s market in the next 5 years?
Innovation in delivery mechanisms, increased use in sleep management, and growth in emerging markets will be influential. Regulatory emphasis on safety could drive formulation improvements and new product approvals.

5. Who are the main competitors in the antihistamine market?
Johnson & Johnson (Benadryl), Pfizer (Zyrtec), GSK (Claritin), and emerging biotech firms investing in novel delivery systems are the predominant players.


References

[1] Market Research Future. “Antihistamines Market - Forecast 2022-2028.” 2022.
[2] ClinicalTrials.gov. “Diphenhydramine Clinical Trials Database.” Accessed 2023.
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Labeling and Regulatory Status of Diphenhydramine.” 2023.
[4] IQVIA. “Global OTC Allergic Rhinitis Market Report,” 2023.
[5] European Medicines Agency. “Review of Antihistamine Safety Profiles,” 2023.


This analysis provides an authoritative overview enabling stakeholders to strategize future product development, regulatory navigation, and market positioning for Benadryl.

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