What is TikTok trend Benadryl Challenge? Deadly online game leaves teens death, sick

A dangerous TikTok trend known as the “Benadryl Challenge” has been raising concerns across the U.S. This comes reports of teen boys and girls' death or serious illness have come to the fore. A woman has lodged complaint that het daughter consumed Benadryl pills after taking part in the deadly TikTok trend. There was also reports that 13‑year‑old Ohio boy died following participation in the viral stunt. According to reports, the youth took 12‑14 pills of over‑the‑counter antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in a bid to induce hallucinations.

Medical experts warn that such misuse of diphenhydramine can result in severe, even fatal, side effects: seizures, heart irregularities, delirium, coma, and organ damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings after multiple hospitalizations and deaths linked to this challenge.

TikTok has stated that it “strictly prohibits and removes content that promotes dangerous behavior.” In its statement following Jacob Stevens’ death, the platform said it has never seen the challenge as widespread or trending internally, and it has blocked searches related to “Benadryl” for years to prevent copycat behavior.


Public health officials are calling for urgent education and awareness efforts to dissuade youth from participating in such challenges. Meanwhile, families of victims are speaking out, warning others of how quickly experimentation can turn deadly.

This drug -- whose generic name is diphenhydramine -- provides almost immediate allergy relief. And with Benadryl around since the 1940s, it's become the "Kleenex" of antihistamines, said Dr. Anna Wolfson, an allergist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

But experts believe it's time to say goodbye because of how older antihistamines like Benadryl cross the blood-brain barrier, causing grogginess and increasing the risk of falls, car accidents and potentially even dementia.

If you're on a deserted island and Benadryl is the only allergy drug available, you should take it, Wolfson said. But in almost every other case, there are safer, better options.

FAQs

Q1. How does Benadryl work?
A1. Our bodies produce the chemical histamine to rally the immune system against germs. But the same alarm can be set off by springtime flowers, peanuts and other menaces. Antihistamines block this false alarm, helping prevent or relieve allergy symptoms. Benadryl, Zzzquil and other drugs with diphenhydramine can also make you drowsy, since histamine helps the brain stay alert, said Dr. Zachary Rubin, an Illinois-based allergist and author of the upcoming book, "All About Allergies."

Q2. Is Benadryl linked with dementia?
A2. In addition to blocking the histamine signal, Benadryl interferes with the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is responsible for attention, concentration and memory, said Dr. Malaz Boustani, a geriatrician and neuroscientist at Indiana University. And an increasing body of research is linking regular use of these drugs to a higher risk of dementia.