San Diego, California — Health officials are once again warning parents and teenagers about the dangers of the viral “Benadryl challenge” after multiple young people were hospitalized in California following attempts to participate in the risky social media trend.
Medical experts say the challenge, which encourages people to consume dangerous amounts of the allergy medication Benadryl in an attempt to experience hallucinations, can have life-threatening consequences.
Five Teens Hospitalized Following Viral Challenge
According to reports, at least five children were taken to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego in late May after attempting the Benadryl challenge.
Doctors at the hospital say they continue to see cases involving teenagers and young adults who misuse the medication after being exposed to content online.
“So we’re seeing a lot of 16 to 18 year olds, also young adults, 20 to 22,” Dr. Shahfar Khan, a pediatrician at the hospital, told KUSI.
While none of the patients required long-term hospitalization, medical professionals say the incidents highlight the ongoing dangers associated with the challenge.
Doctors Warn of Serious Health Risks
Benadryl contains the active ingredient diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergies.
However, doctors say consuming large amounts can severely affect multiple systems in the body.
“When you’re really taking it in large quantities, it can have an effect on various systems of the body,” Khan explained.
The doctor outlined several potentially life-threatening complications associated with overdoses.
“It can cause agitation, hallucinations, a very fast heart rate that could lead to cardiac arrest. Seizures we see often with the Benadryl ingestion as well.”
Health experts stress that the medication should only be taken exactly as directed and never for recreational purposes.
Previous Death Highlights Dangers
The dangers of the challenge gained national attention in 2023 after the death of 13-year-old Jacob Stevens from Columbus, Ohio.
According to his family, Jacob overdosed after attempting the viral challenge and was placed on life support.
“It was too much for his body,” Jacob’s father, Justin Stevens, told local media at the time.
Jacob remained on a ventilator for six days before passing away. His father later described the tragedy as “the worst day of his life.”
Following his son’s death, the family urged parents to remain vigilant about what children are viewing online.
“Keep an eye on what your kid’s doing with that phone,” Jacob’s family said. “Talk to them about the situation. I want everyone to know about my son’s situation.”
FDA Previously Issued Warning
The Benadryl challenge first gained widespread attention in 2020 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning.
At the time, the agency warned that teenagers were participating in a dangerous trend that could result in severe injuries or death.
“Teens are participating in a dangerous ‘Benadryl Challenge’ on TikTok, which can lead to serious problems and death,” the FDA said.
The agency also advised parents to securely store medications at home to prevent misuse.
Manufacturer Calls Trend Dangerous
Kenvue, the company behind Benadryl, also addressed the issue and urged people not to participate in the challenge.
The company described the trend as “dangerous” and said it “should be stopped immediately.”
A spokesperson added:
“We’ve taken action to stop this behavior from spreading and work with social media platforms and their safety teams to remove these dangerous posts, including any new content we identify in our monitoring.”
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The company also emphasized the importance of proper medication use and safe storage practices.
Health experts continue encouraging parents to discuss online challenges with their children and to seek immediate medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
What do you think should be done to prevent dangerous social media challenges from spreading among teens? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
