A concerning trend on TikTok is leading to emergency room visits among teenagers, and medical professionals are noting a swift increase in such cases.
Recently, a young man was treated for a Benadryl overdose at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, occurring just days before Memorial Day weekend. He had participated in a viral challenge on social media that doctors feared could quickly turn dangerous. This information comes from a report by CBS8.
The affected individuals ranged in age from 16 to their early 20s.
While thankfully there have been no fatalities, doctors are alarmed by the severity of this trend, which appears to be spreading rapidly.
The challenge typically encourages participants to consume large amounts of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in hopes of experiencing hallucinations.
However, doctors caution that these same quantities can lead to significant health issues.
“We’ve observed a surge in Benadryl overdose cases, reflecting a broader nationwide increase, especially in states like Texas, Ohio, and Virginia,” said Dr. Shafar Khan from Radi. “The dosages needed for hallucination are dangerously close to those that can cause life-threatening cardiac or respiratory failure,” he explained.
Benadryl is a common over-the-counter antihistamine used for treating allergies and skin rashes.
Dr. Khan pointed out that the easy availability of the medication might lead families to underestimate the associated dangers.
“That’s the trap,” he remarked.
Overdosing can lead to seizures, severe disruptions in heart rhythm, and respiratory failure. Treatment might include stabilizing medications for the heart, and in severe instances, defibrillation could be necessary.
Peer pressure often drives participation in these risky challenges.
“There’s immense pressure to conform,” Khan noted. “When kids see their friends doing this, they tend to go along without considering the risks.” He added that just because a product is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it’s inherently safe.
This case in San Diego reflects similar incidents across the country.
Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth has reported over 100 emergency room visits related to Benadryl overdoses in just the last six months, including one fatality.
The so-called Benadryl Challenge has been circulating on social media for several years, and CBS reported that it was briefly visible on TikTok as recently as last week.
TikTok has stated that content promoting dangerous behavior, which can lead to serious harm, violates their community guidelines and has been removed.
Dr. Khan encourages parents to be vigilant for warning signs, such as erratic behavior, loss of balance, flushed skin, or excessive heating, and to have honest conversations with their children about their online activities.
If there’s a suspicion that a child has overdosed on Benadryl or any other substance, contacting Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 is recommended. They are available around the clock.
