Benadryl challenge

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The recommended dosage of Benadryl tablets for adults is 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, and only 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours for children under the age of 12. Benadryl tablets (4438315926).jpg
The recommended dosage of Benadryl tablets for adults is 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, and only 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours for children under the age of 12.

The Benadryl challenge is an internet challenge that emerged in 2020, revolving around the deliberate consumption, excessive use and overdose of the antihistamine medicine diphenhydramine (commonly sold in the United States under the brand name Benadryl), [lower-alpha 1] which acts as a deliriant in high doses. [3] The challenge, which reportedly spread via the social media platform TikTok, instructs participants to film themselves consuming large doses of Benadryl and documenting the effect of tripping or hallucinating.

Contents

Numerous authorities have advised against the challenge, as deliberate overconsumption of diphenhydramine can lead to adverse effects, including confusion, delirium, psychosis, organ damage, hyperthermia, convulsions, coma, and death. On September 24, 2020, the FDA formally released a statement advising parents and medical practitioners to be aware of the challenge's prevalence and its risks. [4]

The recreational use of diphenhydramine and addiction is well-reported in medical literature, and overdoses are treatable with correct intervention. Its psychoactive effects at high dosages, which are a symptom of anticholinergic poisoning, are also well documented. In severe cases, the overdose of diphenhydramine and other anticholinergic medicines can lead to a phenomenon referred to as an anticholinergic toxidrome, [5] which can affect organ systems throughout the body, including the nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Several participants have been hospitalized as a result of the challenge, including three teenagers admitted to the Cook Children's Medical Center after consuming at least 14 diphenhydramine tablets, [6] and a 15-year-old Oklahoman teen who died from an overdose after attempting to take part. [7] [8] [9] TikTok said it had not seen such "content trend" but proceeded to block the search term to prevent copycats. [10]

Attention towards the challenge was renewed in 2023 when Jacob Stevens, 13, a citizen of Columbus, Ohio, [10] died after six days in intensive care. Stevens had his friends film him as he consumed over a dozen Benadryl tablets, and began convulsing shortly afterwards. Upon admission to an intensive care unit, it was found that he had suffered critical brain damage, and he died following six days of mechanical ventilation. [11] TikTok expressed sympathy for the family and reiterated that this type of content is prohibited on the platform. [12] Hashtags such as "Benadryl" and "BenadrylChallenge" have been disabled, and the challenge does not appear to be widespread. [10] Although searching for "Benadryl" has been blocked since 2020, it can still result in suggestions such as "bena challenge" or "benary changle" and videos related to the original challenge. [11]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In other countries, products sold under the brand name Benadryl may contain a different antihistamine; in the United Kingdom, this is the second-generation antihistamines acrivastine or cetirizine.

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An antiemetic is a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea. Antiemetics are typically used to treat motion sickness and the side effects of opioid analgesics, general anaesthetics, and chemotherapy directed against cancer. They may be used for severe cases of gastroenteritis, especially if the patient is dehydrated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Over-the-counter drug</span> Medication available without a prescription

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescription. In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a regulatory agency to ensure that they contain ingredients that are safe and effective when used without a physician's care. OTC drugs are usually regulated according to their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) rather than final products. By regulating APIs instead of specific drug formulations, governments allow manufacturers the freedom to formulate ingredients, or combinations of ingredients, into proprietary mixtures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold medicine</span> Medication taken to relieve cold symptoms

Cold medicines are a group of medications taken individually or in combination as a treatment for the symptoms of the common cold and similar conditions of the upper respiratory tract. The term encompasses a broad array of drugs, including analgesics, antihistamines and decongestants, among many others. It also includes drugs which are marketed as cough suppressants or antitussives, but their effectiveness in reducing cough symptoms is unclear or minimal.

H1 antagonists, also called H1 blockers, are a class of medications that block the action of histamine at the H1 receptor, helping to relieve allergic reactions. Agents where the main therapeutic effect is mediated by negative modulation of histamine receptors are termed antihistamines; other agents may have antihistaminergic action but are not true antihistamines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diphenhydramine</span> Antihistamine medication

Diphenhydramine (DPH) is an antihistamine and sedative mainly used to treat allergies, insomnia, and symptoms of the common cold. It is also less commonly used for tremors in parkinsonism, and nausea. It is taken by mouth, injected into a vein, injected into a muscle, or applied to the skin. Maximal effect is typically around two hours after a dose, and effects can last for up to seven hours.

A paradoxical reaction is an effect of a chemical substance, such as a medical drug, that is opposite to what would usually be expected. An example of a paradoxical reaction is pain caused by a pain relief medication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benadryl</span> Brand of various antihistamine medications

Benadryl is a brand of various antihistamine medications used to stop allergies, whose content varies in different countries, but which includes some combination of diphenhydramine, acrivastine, and/or cetirizine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimenhydrinate</span> Anti-emetic and antihistamine medication

Dimenhydrinate, sold under the brand name Dramamine, among others, is an over-the-counter medication used to treat motion sickness and nausea. Dimenhydrinate is a theoclate salt composed of diphenhydramine and 8-chlorotheophylline in a 1:1 ratio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fexofenadine</span> Antihistamine medication

Fexofenadine, sold under the brand name Allegra among others, is an antihistamine pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of allergy symptoms, such as hay fever and urticaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dihydrocodeine</span> Opioid

Dihydrocodeine is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed for pain or severe dyspnea, or as an antitussive, either alone or compounded with paracetamol (acetaminophen) or aspirin. It was developed in Germany in 1908 and first marketed in 1911.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doxylamine</span> First-generation antihistamine used as a short-term sedative and hypnotic (sleep aid)

Doxylamine, sold under the brand name Unisom among others, is an antihistamine medication which is used in the treatment of insomnia and allergies. It is also used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women in combination with pyridoxine (vitamin B6). Doxylamine is available over-the-counter, and is used in nighttime cold medicines, such as NyQuil, as well as in pain medications containing acetaminophen and codeine, to help with sleep. The medication is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clemastine</span> Allergy medication

Clemastine, also known as meclastin, is a first-generation H1 histamine antagonist (antihistamine) with anticholinergic properties (drying) and sedative side effects. Like all first-generation antihistamines, it is sedating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doxepin</span> Medication to treat depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic hives, and trouble sleeping

Doxepin is a medication belonging to the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class of drugs used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic hives, and insomnia. For hives it is a less preferred alternative to antihistamines. It has a mild to moderate benefit for sleeping problems. It is used as a cream for itchiness due to atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orphenadrine</span> Muscle relaxant drug

Orphenadrine is an anticholinergic drug of the ethanolamine antihistamine class; it is closely related to diphenhydramine. It is a muscle relaxant that is used to treat muscle pain and to help with motor control in Parkinson's disease, but has largely been superseded by newer drugs. It is considered a dirty drug due to its multiple mechanisms of action in different pathways. It was discovered and developed in the 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biperiden</span> Group of stereoisomers

Biperiden, sold under the brand name Akineton among others, is a medication used to treat Parkinson disease, certain drug-induced movement disorders and Touret Syndrome. It is not recommended for tardive dyskinesias. It is taken by mouth, injection into a vein, or muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trihexyphenidyl</span> Antispasmodic drug

Trihexyphenidyl is an antispasmodic drug used to treat stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. It is an agent of the antimuscarinic class and is often used in management of Parkinson's disease. It was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Parkinson's in the US in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheese (recreational drug)</span> Heroin-based recreational drug

"Cheese" is a heroin-based recreational drug that came to the attention of the media inside and outside the United States after a string of deaths among adolescents in Dallas, between 2005 and 2007. As of 2012 the drug use is now among older people who were teenagers around the period the drug was first discovered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acrivastine</span> Chemical compound

Acrivastine is a medication used for the treatment of allergies and hay fever. It is a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist antihistamine and works by blocking histamine H1 receptors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antihistamine</span> Drug that blocks histamine or histamine agonists

Antihistamines are drugs which treat allergic rhinitis, common cold, influenza, and other allergies. Typically, people take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic drug that can be bought without a prescription and provides relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, or hives caused by pollen, dust mites, or animal allergy with few side effects. Antihistamines are usually for short-term treatment. Chronic allergies increase the risk of health problems which antihistamines might not treat, including asthma, sinusitis, and lower respiratory tract infection. Consultation of a medical professional is recommended for those who intend to take antihistamines for longer-term use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk crate challenge</span> Viral Internet video trend

The milk crate challenge, also known as the crate challenge, is a video challenge that became viral online in August 2021. The challenge involves stacking milk crates into a structure that resembles a podium, with both sides of the structure functioning as stairs. The participant is expected to climb up to the top of the crates and climb back down without destroying the structure or falling, risking injury. The activity has faced criticism by health professionals for its unnecessary risk to personal health. Social media platform TikTok, where the trend was popularized, said it would eliminate search results for "milk crate challenge" citing its policy that "prohibits content that promotes or glorifies dangerous acts."

References

  1. ↑ "Dosing Guide". Benadryl.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "The New TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge' is Being Blamed for a Teenage Girl's Death—Here's Why It's So Dangerous". Health.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  3. ↑ Krstic, Zee (2020-09-09). "What Parents Needs to Know About the Potentially Deadly Benadryl TikTok Challenge". Good Housekeeping. Archived from the original on 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  4. ↑ "FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)". Food and Drug Administration . Archived from the original on 2020-09-24.
  5. ↑ Broderick, Erin D.; Metheny, Heidi; Crosby, Brianna (2020), "Anticholinergic Toxicity", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   30521219, archived from the original on 2021-10-11, retrieved 2020-10-10
  6. ↑ "TikTok Videos Encourage Viewers to Overdose on Benadryl". Cook Children's Checkup Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  7. ↑ "Dangerous 'Benadryl Challenge' on Tik Tok may be to blame for the death of Oklahoma teen". KFOR.com Oklahoma City. 2020-08-28. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  8. ↑ "Teen's Death Prompts Warning on 'Benadryl Challenge'". www.medpagetoday.com. 2020-09-25. Archived from the original on 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  9. ↑ "Viral TikTok Challenge Turns Deadly After Encouraging Teens To Take Drugs". talentrecap.com. 2020-09-04. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  10. 1 2 3 "13-Year-Old Dies After Doing What Family Says Was 'Benadryl Challenge.' What it Is and What Parents Should Know". NBC Chicago. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  11. 1 2 "What is the Benadryl challenge? New TikTok challenge that's left 13-year-old dead". The Independent. 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  12. ↑ "A 13-Year-Old Died After Doing the TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge'". Gizmodo. 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
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