Can benadryl help kids with autism sleep better?

NCT ID NCT05501678

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help children and teens with autism fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Twenty-six participants aged 8 to 17 will receive either Benadryl or a placebo in a crossover design, with sleep measured by brain waves and activity monitors. The goal is to see if this common allergy medicine can ease sleep problems in autism.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, short-term sleep aid for children with autism who have trouble falling asleep.
What could go wrong: This is a small early-phase trial with only 26 participants. Diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness or other side effects, and results may not apply to all children with autism.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism autism spectrum disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTISM AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

Stanford University
RECRUITING

Stanford, California, 94305-5719, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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