13-Year-Old Hospitalised After Trying Viral Benadryl Challenge
A 13-year-old girl from Horry County, South Carolina, was rushed to the emergency room after overdosing on Benadryl tablets she took as part of this viral dare.
According to her mother, the teen began experiencing frightening symptoms, including hallucinations and a dangerously high heart rate that spiked to nearly 200 beats per minute.
What Happened to the Teen?
The girl’s parents discovered something was wrong when they found an open bottle of Benadryl hidden under her pillow. Although she initially claimed she had only taken two pills, her parents quickly noticed that many more were missing. Alarmed, they rushed her to the hospital for immediate care.
Doctors later learned that the teenager had taken the pills after hearing from a friend that Benadryl could cause a “high.” Her social media feed was also filled with videos of other teens attempting the same challenge.
The girl’s mother admitted the ordeal was terrifying and said she does not want any other family to go through a similar experience. Despite reporting the videos promoting the challenge, she was told that the content did not violate platform policies.
What Is the Benadryl Challenge?
Benadryl, also known by its generic name diphenhydramine, is a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to treat allergies, itching, rashes, hives, and cold symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose. When taken at the recommended dose, it is generally safe. However, in larger amounts, it can act as a hallucinogen or deliriant, leading some teens to misuse it.
The Benadryl challenge first went viral in 2020, especially on TikTok, encouraging young people to take dangerously high doses of the drug. This reckless behaviour can cause severe side effects, including:
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Seizures
- Extreme confusion and hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma or even death in extreme cases
FDA’s Warning About the Benadryl Challenge
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly warned the public about the risks of this trend. In a 2020 safety alert, the agency stated it was aware of multiple cases where teenagers ended up in emergency rooms, and some even lost their lives after attempting the challenge.
The FDA emphasises that parents and caregivers should take preventive steps to protect children and teenagers from medication misuse. These include:
- Keeping all prescription and OTC medications out of sight and reach
- Storing medicines in locked cabinets
- Talking openly with kids about the risks of online challenges and substance misuse
Why This Incident Is a Wake-Up Call
This case highlights just how dangerous the Benadryl challenge can be. A seemingly harmless allergy medicine, when misused, can quickly turn into a life-threatening substance. Parents, educators, and healthcare providers must remain alert to viral trends that put teens at risk.
As the girl’s mother shared, the ordeal was “really scary,” but it may serve as an important reminder for families everywhere to keep medications secured and to discuss the dangers of social media challenges before tragedy strikes.
The Benadryl challenge is not just a harmless internet trend; it is a dangerous act of medication misuse that can have devastating consequences.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 19 September 2025
- 13:00
