Cincinnati poison control expert shares concerns about social media ‘Benadryl challenge’

A social media trend called the “Benadryl challenge” is raising concerns in Ohio as it encourages teenagers to take dangerously high doses of the over-the-counter allergy medication in order to experience hallucinations.Dr. Shan Yin, medical director of the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, explained why some teens are drawn to the challenge.”I think there’s a lot in terms of people trying to get, you know, internet kind of clout,” Yin said. Yin said the desire for online attention often leads teens to underestimate the risks involved.”I mean, there’s kind of the invincibility of youth. They don’t think that they, you know, are likely to get into serious trouble,” he said. Yin said a normal dose of Benadryl is far below the level where serious toxic effects can start. But he said taking excessive amounts can cause delirium, a racing heart, and hallucinations. At higher doses, the risks become even more severe. “One would be arrhythmias. So it can kind of mess with the conduction of the heart, to be a fatal arrhythmia. And then also seizures. So, you know, certainly if you are having an unwitnessed.. or a seizure – that could result in, certainly, death,” Yin said. Yin noted an increase in intentional Benadryl overdoses in southwest and northeast Ohio, areas served by poison experts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Avondale. “We can’t tease out whether a lot of these are related to a social media challenge,” Yin said. “Right now, we just know that we’ve seen big increases in intentional overdoses by adolescents.” Parents may notice signs of a problem quickly if a teen takes a large amount of Benadryl. “We’ve seen cases where somebody will be smoking a cigarette, but there’s no cigarette, or talking to people that aren’t there,” Yin said. Yin stressed the importance of early conversations with children about the dangers of peer pressure and social media challenges. “Starting early, starting in, like, middle school,” he said. Yin advised parents and caregivers to contact the poison center immediately if they suspect someone has taken too much Benadryl or any other drug. The center is staffed 24 hours a day to provide assistance. The center’s number is 1 (800) 222-1222.

CINCINNATI —

A social media trend called the “Benadryl challenge” is raising concerns in Ohio as it encourages teenagers to take dangerously high doses of the over-the-counter allergy medication in order to experience hallucinations.

Dr. Shan Yin, medical director of the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, explained why some teens are drawn to the challenge.

“I think there’s a lot in terms of people trying to get, you know, internet kind of clout,” Yin said.

Yin said the desire for online attention often leads teens to underestimate the risks involved.

“I mean, there’s kind of the invincibility of youth. They don’t think that they, you know, are likely to get into serious trouble,” he said.

Yin said a normal dose of Benadryl is far below the level where serious toxic effects can start. But he said taking excessive amounts can cause delirium, a racing heart, and hallucinations. At higher doses, the risks become even more severe.

“One would be arrhythmias. So it can kind of mess with the conduction of the heart, to be a fatal arrhythmia. And then also seizures. So, you know, certainly if you are having an unwitnessed.. or a seizure – that could result in, certainly, death,” Yin said.

Yin noted an increase in intentional Benadryl overdoses in southwest and northeast Ohio, areas served by poison experts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Avondale.

“We can’t tease out whether a lot of these are related to a social media challenge,” Yin said. “Right now, we just know that we’ve seen big increases in intentional overdoses by adolescents.”

Parents may notice signs of a problem quickly if a teen takes a large amount of Benadryl.

“We’ve seen cases where somebody will be smoking a cigarette, but there’s no cigarette, or talking to people that aren’t there,” Yin said.

Yin stressed the importance of early conversations with children about the dangers of peer pressure and social media challenges.

“Starting early, starting in, like, middle school,” he said.

Yin advised parents and caregivers to contact the poison center immediately if they suspect someone has taken too much Benadryl or any other drug. The center is staffed 24 hours a day to provide assistance. The center’s number is 1 (800) 222-1222.