Health experts warn Benadryl may not be as helpful as once thought

(NewsNation) — Experts are warning that Benadryl, a common allergy medication, might cause long-term problems.

A brand name for diphenhydramine, Benadryl was the first antihistamine approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1946 to treat allergies when other medication testing standards were not available.

In a recent review by the World Allergy Organization Journal, researchers said it's time to ditch the allergy medication because it crosses the blood-brain barrier, which blocks the signal in the brain that causes an immune reaction to allergens like pollen or nuts. It can also cause grogginess and increase the risk of falls, car crashes and potentially dementia.

Benadryl impacts the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a role in functions like memory. In a 2015 study fro