Drug safety Alert – Benadryl and serious adverse events

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released drug safety communication about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

In the communication FDA stated “We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok”.

Reference:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-about-serious-problems-high-doses-allergy-medicine-diphenhydramine-benadryl#:~:text=09%2D24%2D2020%20FDA%20Drug,%2C%20coma%2C%20or%20even%20death.