A deadly social media challenge that healthcare professionals hoped had disappeared is making a dangerous comeback, claiming the life of at least one teenager and sending more than 100 young people to emergency rooms in recent months.
The so-called Benadryl challenge, which first gained traction on TikTok in 2020, encourages participants to intentionally consume excessive amounts of the over-the-counter allergy medication in an attempt to induce a hallucinogenic high while fighting off the drug's drowsy effects. Medical experts are now warning that the trend has re-emerged among teenagers and pre-teens, with potentially fatal consequences.
Dr. Stephanie Felton, associate medical director for the Cook Children's emergency department in Texas, confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the hospital recently treated a patient who died after participating in the challenge. The emergency department has treated more than 100 patients for Benadryl overdose in the last six months alone, according to the health system.
While the current wave of cases has not reached the levels seen during the initial outbreak in 2020, Dr. Felton emphasized that any resurgence of this dangerous behavior is cause for serious concern, particularly given its appeal to younger adolescents who may not fully comprehend the medical risks involved.
Understanding the Medical Dangers
Benadryl contains the active ingredient diphenhydramine, an antihistamine designed to relieve symptoms of seasonal or situational allergies and the common cold, such as runny nose or sneezing. When used as directed, the medication is generally safe and effective.
However, consuming excessive amounts of Benadryl triggers a cascade of serious medical complications. Overdose symptoms include dangerously elevated heart rate, urinary retention that can lead to kidney dysfunction, and arrhythmia—an irregular heartbeat that can prove fatal. In one documented case, a 14-year-old female experienced a seizure after participating in the challenge.
The severity of these risks prompted the Food and Drug Administration to issue an official warning in 2020 when the trend first emerged. The agency cautioned that taking high doses of Benadryl can lead to heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.
"We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the 'Benadryl Challenge' encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok," the FDA stated in its notice. "We are investigating these reports and conducting a review to determine if additional cases have been reported. We will update the public once we have completed our review or have more information to share."
Protecting Young People from Social Media Trends
The FDA took additional action by contacting TikTok directly, strongly urging the platform to remove videos promoting the challenge and to remain vigilant in preventing new content from being posted. The agency also advised healthcare workers to familiarize themselves with the trend to better identify and treat potential cases.
For parents, the FDA recommended practical safety measures: keep Benadryl and other medications stored out of reach and out of sight of children, and secure any medications that could be subject to misuse with locks or other barriers.
Dr. Felton stressed that physical safeguards alone are insufficient. She encouraged parents to engage in direct and honest conversations with their children about social media use and the dangerous messaging they may encounter online.
"A simple conversation and continued conversations…are important so we have an open door policy with our kids so that they know that they have a safe place to come to with these questions," Dr. Felton said.
The resurgence of this challenge serves as a stark reminder that viral social media trends can have life-threatening consequences. Parents, educators, and healthcare providers must remain vigilant and maintain open lines of communication with young people to counter the influence of dangerous online content. In an era where peer pressure can spread instantaneously across digital platforms, proactive education and honest dialogue may be the most effective tools for keeping teenagers safe.