A 13-year-old boy from Ohio died after “taking a bunch of Benadryl,” attempting yet another one of the dangerous challenges circulating on TikTok.
A GoFundMe account states that Jacob Stevens was participating in a TikTok challenge with some friends at home when he ingested the antihistamine. He was rescued and remained on a ventilator for nearly a week before passing away.
The ‘Benadryl Challenge’ encourages users of the platform to take 12 to 14 pills of the over-the-counter medication to induce hallucinations.
“This challenge is a dangerous trend and should be stopped immediately. BENADRYL products and other diphenhydramine products should only be used as directed on the label,” said the drug’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, in an online statement.
Benadryl overdose can result in “serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informs in a public notice when it issued a warning about the “Benadryl challenge on TikTok” in 2020.
“We are working with TikTok and other social platforms to remove content that shows this behavior,” the statement added. “We will seek to partner across the industry and with key stakeholders to address this dangerous behavior.”
Benadryl is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms such as runny nose or sneezing from respiratory allergies, fever, or the common cold. It is safe and effective when used as recommended, according to the FDA.
Source: CNN