Comprehensive medication guide to Banophen Cream including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
OTC products are generally not covered by insurance without a prescription. With a provider's prescription, some plans cover diphenhydramine topical cream at $0–$15 copay (Tier 1–2). FSA/HSA funds can be used without a prescription under the CARES Act.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$7–$15 retail for brand-name Banophen or Benadryl cream (1 oz tube); store-brand equivalents available for $4–$8. With GoodRx, Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream (59 mL) as low as $11.37 at select pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Banophen Cream is a brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) topical antihistamine cream. Its active ingredient is diphenhydramine hydrochloride — the same antihistamine found in Benadryl. Applied directly to the skin, it temporarily relieves pain and itching from insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, minor skin irritations, and rashes from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.
Banophen Cream is available in 1% and 2% diphenhydramine HCl concentrations, sometimes combined with zinc acetate (0.1%) as a skin protectant. It is sold in tube form (typically 1 oz) and requires no prescription. The Banophen brand is manufactured by Major Pharmaceuticals and is available at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online retailers nationwide.
Equivalent products sold under different brand names include Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream, Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Cream, Dermamycin, and store-brand diphenhydramine cream from CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target. All contain the same active ingredient and are medically interchangeable.
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Banophen Cream works by blocking histamine H1 receptors in the skin. When your body encounters an allergen (insect venom, plant sap, minor burns), mast cells release histamine into the skin. Histamine binds to H1 receptors on nerve endings and blood vessels, triggering the itching, redness, swelling, and pain associated with skin irritation.
Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Banophen Cream, competitively blocks H1 receptors — essentially occupying them so histamine cannot bind. With receptors blocked locally at the application site, the itch and pain signals are reduced. The effect is localized (acting at the application site rather than systemically), which is why the cream does not typically cause the drowsiness associated with oral diphenhydramine.
Zinc acetate, present in some formulations, acts as a mild astringent skin protectant that helps soothe irritated tissue and supports healing. Diphenhydramine is most effective for histamine-driven, short-term itch. It has limited efficacy for non-histamine-mediated conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or chronic pruritus, where different inflammatory mediators are involved.
1% — cream
Diphenhydramine HCl 1% topical cream — standard strength for adults and children 2+
2% — cream
Diphenhydramine HCl 2% topical cream (Extra Strength) — higher concentration for adults and children 2+
2%/0.1% — cream/spray
Diphenhydramine HCl 2% + Zinc Acetate 0.1% — combination formulation with skin protectant
Banophen Cream has a findability score of 82/100 — meaning it is generally available, though patients can encounter localized stock-outs. As of 2026, Banophen Cream is not on the FDA drug shortage list. Multiple manufacturers produce equivalent topical diphenhydramine products, and the medication is widely available nationally.
Patients most commonly have difficulty finding it when: (1) searching for the Banophen brand specifically at pharmacies that only carry Benadryl or store-brand equivalents; (2) shopping during peak summer season when demand spikes; or (3) at smaller independent pharmacies with limited OTC inventory. Asking for "diphenhydramine 1% or 2% topical cream" by active ingredient name significantly improves the chances of finding an equivalent product.
If you're having trouble locating Banophen Cream at your local pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock — saving you the frustration of driving to multiple locations.
Banophen Cream is available over the counter — no prescription is required. However, any licensed healthcare provider can recommend or prescribe it. Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no special DEA registration requirements or prescribing restrictions.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and family medicine doctors
Dermatologists
Allergists and immunologists
Pediatricians
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Pharmacists (for OTC recommendation without a prescription)
Telehealth providers can also recommend Banophen Cream or prescribe alternatives via video or photo consultation. This includes general telehealth services (Teladoc, MDLive, Sesame) and dermatology-focused telehealth platforms.
No. Banophen Cream is not a controlled substance. Diphenhydramine topical is not scheduled by the DEA and has no prescription requirement. Any adult can purchase it directly over the counter at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online retailers without a prescription, prior authorization, or identification.
There are no refill restrictions, quantity limits, or prescriber registration requirements for Banophen Cream. It is one of the most freely accessible topical skin treatments available. While no prescription is required to purchase it, a healthcare provider can write a prescription for diphenhydramine topical cream if that would help with insurance coverage or documentation.
When used as directed on small areas of skin, Banophen Cream is generally well tolerated. Common local side effects include:
Mild burning or stinging at the application site
Dry skin or mild irritation at the treated area
Photosensitivity (increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and UV light)
Serious side effects — stop use and seek medical care if you experience:
Severe allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care)
Worsening rash, new blistering, crusting, or oozing at application site (possible contact sensitization)
Unusual drowsiness in children (possible systemic absorption — stop use immediately)
Signs of systemic toxicity if applied to large areas (dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, urinary retention)
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Hydrocortisone Cream 1%
OTC corticosteroid; broader anti-inflammatory spectrum; preferred for eczema, contact dermatitis, rashes. Better clinical evidence for most skin conditions than topical diphenhydramine.
Calamine Lotion
Zinc oxide/ferric oxide astringent; ideal for weeping/blistering rashes (poison ivy, chickenpox); very inexpensive and well tolerated. Dries out oozing skin reactions effectively.
Pramoxine Cream (Gold Bond, CeraVe Itch Relief)
Topical anesthetic; rapid itch and pain relief via nerve numbing; steroid-free and antihistamine-free. Good option for patients who cannot use diphenhydramine or corticosteroids.
Colloidal Oatmeal Cream (Aveeno)
FDA-recognized skin protectant; moisturizing and soothing; best for eczema, dry skin, and sensitive skin including infants. Very gentle with minimal side effect risk.
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Oral diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil, Unisom, Tylenol PM, Advil PM)
majorStrictly contraindicated. Combining topical and oral diphenhydramine can result in excessive systemic diphenhydramine levels causing CNS depression, anticholinergic toxicity, and potentially fatal outcomes in children.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid)
majorDo not use within 14 days of MAOI use. Risk of serious hypertensive reactions and serotonin-related effects when diphenhydramine interacts with MAOIs.
CNS depressants (opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, alcohol)
moderatePotential additive CNS depression if significant systemic absorption occurs (large area application). Use with caution; minimize area of application.
Anticholinergic medications (oxybutynin, tolterodine, amitriptyline, antipsychotics)
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects possible with extensive topical use. Symptoms include dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, confusion (especially in elderly).
Other topical antihistamines (any topical diphenhydramine product)
majorDo not use multiple topical diphenhydramine products simultaneously. Combined absorption can lead to excessive systemic levels.
Banophen Cream is a well-established, affordable, and widely available OTC treatment for temporary histamine-driven skin itch and pain. It is most effective for insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, and poison ivy — conditions where histamine release is the primary driver of itching. When used correctly on small areas and not combined with oral diphenhydramine, it is generally safe for adults and children aged 2 and older.
The main practical challenge with Banophen Cream is finding it by brand name — since many pharmacies stock the identical product under different labels (Benadryl, store-brand generic). Asking for diphenhydramine 1% or 2% topical cream by active ingredient resolves most availability confusion. For persistent or widespread skin conditions, consult a dermatologist or allergist, as stronger prescription treatments may be needed.
If you're struggling to find Banophen Cream at your local pharmacy, medfinder can quickly identify which pharmacies near you have it in stock — so you only make one trip.
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