Diphenhydramine and Naproxen side effects: what 2,030 FDA adverse event reports show
Drug class
Not stated in label
Label matched
Diphenhydramine (Nightime Sleep Aid)
Who reports
2,030 reports · 9% serious · 9 with death outcome · 67% female
Used for
For relief of occasional sleeplessness.
Boxed warning
None in the current label
Causality screen of the 29 strongest signals
What the badges mean
- Reporting / coding artifact An administrative, monitoring or exposure term (product issue, off-label use, 'test normal', overdose...). Not a biological reaction; a high PRR here reflects how reports are coded.
- Not in label — unassessed Not found in the label text, not an artifact pattern. This is a genuine candidate for a formal causality assessment (Bradford Hill / WHO-UMC); it has NOT had one here.
- No label text to screen No validated FDA label was retrievable for this product, so the screen could not run. Disproportionality only.
Strongest disproportionality signals
Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers rather than clinicians. 11 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incorrect drug administration duration | 101 | 36.7 30.3–44.4ROR 38.6 · χ² 3,464 / p <1e-300 | 36.3 EB05 30.8 · IC025 +4.6 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 50.5 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Product use issue | 466 | 25.8 23.8–28.0ROR 33.2 · χ² 11,160 / p <1e-300 | 25.7 EB05 23.8 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 13.0 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Medication error | 133 | 24.8 21.0–29.2ROR 26.5 · χ² 3,016 / p <1e-300 | 24.7 EB05 21.4 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.7 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Therapeutic response unexpected | 103 | 23.7 19.6–28.6ROR 24.9 · χ² 2,215 / p <1e-300 | 23.5 EB05 20.0 · IC025 +4.1 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 11.1 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Expired product administered | 61 | 19.0 14.9–24.4ROR 19.6 · χ² 1,023 / p 7e-225 | 18.9 EB05 15.2 · IC025 +3.6 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious n=4 · 93% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Initial insomnia | 18 | 18.3 11.5–28.9ROR 18.4 · χ² 276 / p 2e-62 | 17.7 EB05 11.6 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Poor quality sleep | 37 | 17.9 13.0–24.6ROR 18.2 · χ² 573 / p 7e-127 | 17.7 EB05 13.3 · IC025 +3.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 5.5 · 97% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Restless legs syndrome | 25 | 14.2 9.6–21.0ROR 14.4 · χ² 294 / p 4e-66 | 13.7 EB05 9.5 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Incorrect product administration duration | 27 | 13.8 9.5–20.0ROR 13.9 · χ² 307 / p 6e-69 | 13.3 EB05 9.3 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious n=5 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Drug effective for unapproved indication | 33 | 11.7 8.3–16.4ROR 11.9 · χ² 312 / p 5e-70 | 11.2 EB05 8.1 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious n=1 · 97% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Drug ineffective for unapproved indication | 60 | 11.1 8.7–14.3ROR 11.4 · χ² 544 / p 1e-120 | 10.8 EB05 8.6 · IC025 +2.9 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Extra dose administered | 39 | 10.1 7.4–13.8ROR 10.3 · χ² 311 / p 6e-70 | 9.6 EB05 7.2 · IC025 +2.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious n=2 · 92% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Feeling jittery | 18 | 9.7 6.2–15.4ROR 9.8 · χ² 133 / p 5e-31 | 8.6 EB05 5.5 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Underdose | 59 | 8.3 6.5–10.7ROR 8.6 · χ² 375 / p 7e-84 | 8.0 EB05 6.4 · IC025 +2.5 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.3 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Product use complaint | 12 | 8.0 4.6–14.1ROR 8.0 · χ² 67 / p 2e-16 | 6.5 EB05 3.8 · IC025 +1.7 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious n=1 | no trial data cached |
| Drug effect incomplete | 28 | 7.9 5.4–11.3ROR 8.0 · χ² 161 / p 4e-37 | 7.1 EB05 5.1 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 6.8 · 93% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Middle insomnia | 14 | 7.8 4.6–13.1ROR 7.8 · χ² 76 / p 1e-18 | 6.5 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +1.8 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Insomnia (trouble sleeping) | 184 | 7.1 6.2–8.2ROR 7.7 · χ² 975 / p 2e-214 | 7.0 EB05 6.2 · IC025 +2.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 3.6 · 99% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Product prescribing issue | 12 | 6.1 3.5–10.7ROR 6.1 · χ² 46 / p 5e-12 | 5.0 EB05 3.1 · IC025 +1.4 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | – | no trial data cached |
| Somnolence (drowsiness) | 113 | 5.8 4.9–6.9ROR 6.1 · χ² 449 / p 6e-100 | 5.7 EB05 4.9 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 9.9 · 85% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Serotonin syndrome | 10 | 5.4 2.9–10.0ROR 5.4 · χ² 32 / p 9e-9 | 4.4 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 33.7 | no trial data cached |
| Abnormal dreams | 13 | 4.8 2.8–8.3ROR 4.9 · χ² 36 / p 1e-9 | 4.2 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Product use in unapproved indication | 113 | 4.8 4.0–5.7ROR 5.0 · χ² 338 / p 1e-75 | 4.7 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 2.9 · 94% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Nightmare | 16 | 4.8 2.9–7.7ROR 4.8 · χ² 44 / p 2e-11 | 4.2 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Restlessness | 15 | 4.2 2.6–7.0ROR 4.3 · χ² 34 / p 3e-9 | 3.8 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 2.5 | no trial data cached |
| Intentional product misuse | 33 | 3.9 2.8–5.5ROR 4.0 · χ² 69 / p 4e-17 | 3.7 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Incorrect dose administered | 73 | 3.4 2.7–4.2ROR 3.4 · χ² 119 / p 4e-28 | 3.3 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 2.1 · 96% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Circumstance or information capable of leading to medication error | 10 | 3.1 1.7–5.7ROR 3.1 · χ² 12 / p 3e-4 | 2.8 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.4 | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | – | no trial data cached |
| Wrong technique in product usage process | 45 | 2.3 1.7–3.1ROR 2.3 · χ² 32 / p 7e-9 | 2.3 EB05 1.8 · IC025 +0.7 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 7.7 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Most frequently reported reactions
By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product use issue | 466 | 25.8 23.8–28.0ROR 33.2 · χ² 11,160 / p <1e-300 | 25.7 EB05 23.8 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 13.0 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Insomnia (trouble sleeping) | 184 | 7.1 6.2–8.2ROR 7.7 · χ² 975 / p 2e-214 | 7.0 EB05 6.2 · IC025 +2.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 3.6 · 99% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Medication error | 133 | 24.8 21.0–29.2ROR 26.5 · χ² 3,016 / p <1e-300 | 24.7 EB05 21.4 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.7 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Product use in unapproved indication | 113 | 4.8 4.0–5.7ROR 5.0 · χ² 338 / p 1e-75 | 4.7 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 2.9 · 94% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Somnolence (drowsiness) | 113 | 5.8 4.9–6.9ROR 6.1 · χ² 449 / p 6e-100 | 5.7 EB05 4.9 · IC025 +2.2 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious PRR 9.9 · 85% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Therapeutic response unexpected | 103 | 23.7 19.6–28.6ROR 24.9 · χ² 2,215 / p <1e-300 | 23.5 EB05 20.0 · IC025 +4.1 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 11.1 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Incorrect drug administration duration | 101 | 36.7 30.3–44.4ROR 38.6 · χ² 3,464 / p <1e-300 | 36.3 EB05 30.8 · IC025 +4.6 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 50.5 · 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Incorrect dose administered | 73 | 3.4 2.7–4.2ROR 3.4 · χ² 119 / p 4e-28 | 3.3 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 2.1 · 96% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Expired product administered | 61 | 19.0 14.9–24.4ROR 19.6 · χ² 1,023 / p 7e-225 | 18.9 EB05 15.2 · IC025 +3.6 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious n=4 · 93% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Drug ineffective for unapproved indication | 60 | 11.1 8.7–14.3ROR 11.4 · χ² 544 / p 1e-120 | 10.8 EB05 8.6 · IC025 +2.9 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Underdose | 59 | 8.3 6.5–10.7ROR 8.6 · χ² 375 / p 7e-84 | 8.0 EB05 6.4 · IC025 +2.5 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 3.3 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Wrong technique in product usage process | 45 | 2.3 1.7–3.1ROR 2.3 · χ² 32 / p 7e-9 | 2.3 EB05 1.8 · IC025 +0.7 | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 7.7 · 98% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Extra dose administered | 39 | 10.1 7.4–13.8ROR 10.3 · χ² 311 / p 6e-70 | 9.6 EB05 7.2 · IC025 +2.6 3/3 methods agree | No label text to screen label has no adverse-reaction text | serious n=2 · 92% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Poor quality sleep | 37 | 17.9 13.0–24.6ROR 18.2 · χ² 573 / p 7e-127 | 17.7 EB05 13.3 · IC025 +3.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 5.5 · 97% consumer | no trial data cached |
| Intentional product misuse | 33 | 3.9 2.8–5.5ROR 4.0 · χ² 69 / p 4e-17 | 3.7 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree | Reporting / coding artifact | 100% consumer | no trial data cached |
Unlabeled candidate signals
Every screened signal with n ≥ 20 was either labeled, an indication term, or an artifact pattern — no unlabeled candidate stood out in the top signals.
Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.
Common questions
What are the most reported side effects of Diphenhydramine and Naproxen?
In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Diphenhydramine and Naproxen are insomnia, somnolence, extra dose administered. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.
Does Diphenhydramine and Naproxen have an FDA boxed warning?
No. The FDA label retrieved for Diphenhydramine and Naproxen has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.
Do FAERS signals prove that Diphenhydramine and Naproxen causes these side effects?
No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.
Sources & methods
- FDA label via openFDA (set ID 9c44e54f-d8bc-4451-8382-40d2e8e03b42, effective 20180521; matched on
openfda.generic_name.exact:"DIPHENHYDRAMINE") - Bayesian shrinkage measures computed offline over all 1,317,300 cached pairs: BCPNN information component (IC, with Norén closed-form IC025) and MGPS empirical-Bayes geometric mean (EBGM, EB05) with a two-component gamma prior fitted by maximum marginal likelihood (α₁=0.57, β₁=0.02, α₂=1.42, β₂=0.70, w=0.17); unstratified
- FAERS pair statistics from the OpenPV build of 2026-09-14 (openFDA
count=aggregation, fieldpatient.drug.openfda.generic_name.exact, 40 reaction terms, min 3 co-reports); PRR/ROR with 95% CI, chi-square with Yates correction - Serious-only and stratified counts (serious:1, patient.patientsex, primarysource.qualification) from openFDA count queries; serious-only PRR uses the drug serious report total and the term global serious total (N_serious=11,882,979); strata shown only when n ≥ 20
- Seriousness and sex counts from openFDA
count=serious,patient.patientsex,seriousnessdeath
Page generated 2026-10-08. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.