FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The “Benadryl Challenge” is once again making headlines after a teen in South Carolina took multiple pills so that she could get “high.”
Back in 2023, a 13-year-old boy died from doing the challenge.
Those with Sanford Children’s in Fargo want parents to know about the potential dangers of over-the-counter medications and what their kids are watching on social media.
“When it comes to online stuff for kids, it’s all about open conversations with a child,” said Steven Steinbrueck, Community Life Educator, Sanford Children’s. “Just because it’s over-the-counter doesn’t mean you can’t get sick from it, doesn’t mean you can’t overdose from it. There are plenty of OTC medications that you can get sick from very easily. Especially with doses being different for every person.”
With medications such as Benadryl being easily available for anyone, officials want parents to really pay attention to what is going on in their children’s lives and talk to them early on in their lives.
“The earlier the better, and to know that a lot of these trends are for people trying to create engagement and trying to be famous online, rather than trying to do anything to the benefit of these kids,” Steinbrueck said. “Spreading a trend like trying to overdose on a medication is more for the person trying to get likes rather than doing anything constructive.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, around 300 milligrams or more is close to or exceeds diphenhydramine’s (Benadryl) toxic dose.
Back in 2020, the FDA put out a warning that taking too much Benadryl can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.
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