FDA warns about the “Benadryl Challenge
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher-than-recommended doses of the over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. Benadryl is commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, nose, or throat; watery eyes; rash; coughing; sneezing; and runny nose. It can also be used to treat occasional insomnia or motion sickness. FDA is aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in a “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on TikTok. The “Benadryl Challenge” encourages social media users to take up to 12 tablets of this medicine at a time to cause hallucinations or an altered mental state. The Drug Facts directions on the package state that no more than two 25 mg tablets should be taken by adults and children older than 12 years of age every 4 to 6 hours. Drowsiness is a common side effect, but too much Benadryl (including generic diphenhydramine) can cause: