The Challenge that Could Place Your Child in Danger
Health officials are sounding the alarm over a dangerous social media trend known as the “Benadryl Challenge,” which has been linked to the deaths and hospitalizations of teenagers across the country.
The challenge, circulating primarily on TikTok, encourages young people to take dangerously high doses of diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in the over-the-counter allergy medication Benadryl — in an effort to induce hallucinations.
Medical experts warn that overdosing on diphenhydramine can have severe and potentially fatal consequences, including irregular heart rhythms, seizures, anticholinergic toxicity, coma, and death. The dose required to cause hallucinations is dangerously close to a lethal amount.
Tragedies tied to the trend include the 2020 death of a 15-year-old girl in Oklahoma and a 13-year-old boy in Ohio who died in 2023 after taking more than a dozen Benadryl pills.
In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning in 2020, cautioning families about the risks of taking the medication in excessive amounts. The FDA also urged TikTok to remove videos related to the challenge. TikTok, along with other social media platforms, has since worked to block harmful content. Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Benadryl, has also partnered with these companies to help spread awareness and promote safety.
Doctors and health organizations are urging parents to take precautions. That includes storing medications in a secure place, monitoring children’s social media activity, and discussing the dangers of online challenges. Parents are also advised to recognize the signs of a potential overdose, such as hallucinations, unusual behavior, difficulty breathing, or dry mouth.
If an overdose is suspected, officials stress the importance of seeking immediate medical help or contacting the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
https://weisradio.com/2025/04/22/hhs-fda-move-to-phase-out-8-artificial-food-dyes-in-the-us/
