Viral TikTok Benadryl Challenge Kills 2 Teenagers in US, Health Experts Warn Against Taking Multiple Allergy Pills

The deadly TikTok trend Benadryl Challenge has already killed two teenagers. Check out what the expert said about it.

What's the Benadryl Challenge on TikTok?

The Benadryl Challenge encourages people, usually children, to swallow multiple antihistamine tablets to induce hallucinations before posting videos of their experience. However, overdosing on allergy pills is deadly, and two children have already lost their lives due to the challenge.

Jacob Steves, 13, from Ohio, died on April 12 due to the viral challenge, CNN reported. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, overdosing on Benadryl can result in "serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death."

Chloe Marie Phillips passed, 15, passed away due to the same trend in 2020, Daily Mail added.

TikTok released a statement to CNN extending its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. The platform has also taken action by removing the contents that promote dangerous behavior to deliver a safe community to its users.

However, according to Daily Mail, some could still upload their content using other code words such as "bernadeyl trend" and "bena tiktok challenge."

Benadryl has also released a statement about the challenge involving their drug. The company said the challenge of ingesting excessive quantities of diphenhydramine is dangerous and should be stopped immediately. The company stressed that Benadryl products and other diphenhydramine solutions should be consumed as directed on the label.

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Experts Warn About Benadryl Challenge

Health experts disapproved of the Tiktok Challenge. Dr. Jen Caudle, a US doctor, said it's a "death trap," noting that the latest incident is a concrete example, Daily Mail reported.

She also said that it was a warning to parents and kids never to try it. The health expert noted that taking too much of the drug can result in several symptoms, including heart problems, seizures, and even death.

Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, added that hearing about challenges involving medicines on social media is worrying. It wasn't the first time she heard about challenges involving over-the-counter medicines, which could lead to serious injury or death. She urged social media platforms to monitor content and stop dangerous videos from going viral.

Malcolm Harrison, the chief executive of the Company Chemists' Association, also said they were saddened by the news of the teenager's death. He reminded the public that medicines should only be taken as directed. He also encouraged the people to ask the nearest local pharmacist if they weren't sure how to use their medications safely.

Professor Parastou Donyai, the chief scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said hearing about death from overdosing on a self-administered drug due to a "challenge" is tragic. According to Donyai, an antihistamine is safe and effective in relieving allergies. However, they must be taken as recommended or prescribed by doctors.

She also called out social media platforms to remove harmful content.

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