BENADRYL vs KARBINAL ER

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 30, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. BENADRYL and KARBINAL ER are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	BENADRYL	KARBINAL ER
Rating	New	New
Pharmacy pays	$0.04 /mL	$0.44 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE	CARBINOXAMINE MALEATE
Manufacturer	Mcneil Cons	Aytu
Dosage forms	Tablet, Kit	Suspension, extended release
Drug class	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Treats	Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Motion Sickness	Angioedema, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

benadryl karbinal er

Rating

New

Pharmacy pays

$0.04 /mL

$0.44 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE

CARBINOXAMINE MALEATE

Manufacturer

Mcneil Cons

Aytu

Dosage forms

Tablet, Kit

Suspension, extended release

Drug class

Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist

Boxed warning

None

Treats

Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Motion Sickness

Angioedema, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

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Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Benadryl or Karbinal ER?

Benadryl costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.04 vs $0.44 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Benadryl and Karbinal ER?

Benadryl contains Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, while Karbinal ER contains Carbinoxamine Maleate — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.