Health officials have issued a warning about the viral 'Benadryl challenge' after at least five children were hospitalised in San Diego, California. The challenge, which has been circulating on social media for years, encourages participants to take dangerous amounts of the over-the-counter allergy medication in an attempt to induce hallucinations.
According to local outlet KUSI, the five children were taken to Rady Children's Hospital in late May. Dr. Shahfar Khan, a paediatrician at the hospital, said that many of those affected are aged 16 to 18, with some young adults up to age 22. He explained that taking large quantities of Benadryl can lead to agitation, hallucinations, a rapid heart rate, seizures, and potentially cardiac arrest. None of the five children required ongoing care.
Kenvue, the manufacturer of Benadryl, described the challenge as 'dangerous' and said it 'should be stopped immediately'. The company stated that it is working with social media platforms to remove related content and is collaborating with healthcare professionals to educate the public on safe use and storage of the medication.
The Benadryl challenge has previously resulted in fatalities. In 2023, 13-year-old Jacob Stevens from Columbus, Ohio, died after attempting the challenge. His father, Justin Stevens, urged parents to monitor their children's phone activity and discuss the dangers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first warned about the challenge in 2020, advising parents to lock up Benadryl to prevent misuse.
