A 13-year-old boy from Ohio, USA, has tragically died after overdosing on an over-the-counter drug while attempting a viral TikTok trend. new york post report. A teenager died after taking 12 to 14 tablets of Benadryl, an antihistamine, as part of the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ on the social media platform TikTok.
What is “Benadryl Challenge”?
The “Benadryl Challenge” encourages users to consume unsafe amounts of diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter drug commonly found in Benadryl and other OTC drugs. The challenge is aimed specifically at a teenager, prompting her to take 12 to 14 pills at a time to induce hallucinations. The participant then records the entire ordeal on her TikTok to share the hallucinatory experience online.
The stunt became popular around 2020 when teenagers uploaded their attempts on TikTok. new york post Said.
In particular, Benadryl contains diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that temporarily relieves symptoms caused by hay fever, upper respiratory tract allergies, or the common cold. According to the FDA, diphenhydramine is safe and effective when used as recommended. high doses can cause serious heart disease, seizures, coma, and even death. CBS news.
Children 6 to 12 years old have a maximum of 6 tablets per 24 hours, adults and children 12 years and older have a maximum of 12 tablets. Overdose can cause symptoms such as constipation, dry throat and mouth, dehydration, excessive sleepiness, nausea, and tremors. , blurred vision, rapid heart rate, seizures, and difficulty urinating.
Similar incident in 2020
2020, 15 years old Oklahoma girl lost her life After trying the challenge. At the time, her aunt shared a social media post saying, “This needs to stop people taking our kids and putting them in hospitals.
In the wake of the incident, manufacturers Johnson & Johnson issued a public advisory warning people about the dangers of online challenges.
“Consumers understand that they have heard of online ‘challenges’ involving the misuse or abuse of diphenhydramine. You should. Benadryl Use the product and other diphenhydramine products only according to label directions. ” notes on page read.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also Information on public services About drug abuse.
Taking more than the recommended dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication, can lead to serious heart disease, seizures, coma, and even death. “We are aware of news reports of teenagers being rushed to the emergency room or dying after participating in the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ promoted in videos posted on the social media application TikTok,” the statement said. said.
”Consumers, parents and caregivers should keep diphenhydramine and all other OTC and prescription drugs out of reach of children,” the statement added.