Doctors are urging parents to lock away medication cabinets after three children in Connecticut died following exposure to diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, amid concerns the dangerous “Benadryl Challenge” social media trend may be resurfacing.
The challenge, which first gained widespread attention several years ago, encourages participants to take doses of the over-the-counter allergy medication far beyond the recommended amount in an attempt to induce hallucinations or a high. Medical experts warn the consequences can be severe and potentially fatal.
“You can get a lot of things, seizures, and cardiovascular effects; those sorts of things can cause death in patients overdosing on Benadryl,” said Dr Gary Soffer, a paediatric allergist with Yale Medicine.
Diphenhydramine is widely available without prescription and commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, but doctors say excessive doses can cause heart problems, seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness. Health professionals now recommend newer, second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin for everyday allergy relief, as they carry a significantly lower risk of drowsiness and other side effects compared to Benadryl.
Experts are urging parents to talk openly with their children about the dangers of participating in online challenges involving medication, and to make clear that no medicine should ever be taken without the direction of a parent, guardian or healthcare provider. They also recommend storing all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, in a secure location out of children’s reach. “If you do keep Benadryl at home, store it up high and locked,” experts advise.
Parents who suspect a child may have taken too much medication are urged to seek emergency medical care immediately or contact Poison Control.
