3 children's deaths tied to Benadryl overdoses amid social media challenge
6abc Philadelphia • • health
Key Points:
- Three children in Connecticut have died from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) overdoses in the past two months, prompting concern from health officials.
- Diphenhydramine, once widely used for allergies, is now less recommended due to significant side effects, including sedation and potential cardiac complications.
- State officials have not linked the deaths to the Benadryl Challenge, a social media trend encouraging dangerous overdoses to induce hallucinations.
- The challenge involves taking up to 24 tablets in 24 hours, double the recommended dose, which can cause severe health risks including coma and death.
- Doctors urge families to secure medications, especially after reports of a 13-year-old obtaining Benadryl via delivery without ID verification; investigations into the deaths are ongoing.