Connecticut Probes 3 Child Benadryl Deaths in 2 Months as 24-Tablet Challenge Resurfaces
Updated
Updated · WLS-TV · Jun 11
Connecticut Probes 3 Child Benadryl Deaths in 2 Months as 24-Tablet Challenge Resurfaces
3 articles · Updated · WLS-TV · Jun 11
Summary
Three Connecticut children died from diphenhydramine overdoses over the past two months, with state officials withholding their ages and locations as the cases remain under investigation.
Doctors said the antihistamine commonly sold as Benadryl can heavily sedate users, disrupt breathing, trigger abnormal heart rhythms and, at toxic doses, cause coma or death.
The deaths have not been officially tied to the social-media "Benadryl Challenge," which urges participants to take up to 24 tablets in 24 hours to induce hallucinations.
A family friend told WABC that one victim — a 13-year-old girl in Waterbury — had Benadryl delivered through DoorDash without an ID check.
Connecticut officials and physicians are urging families to lock up medications as concern grows over adolescents misusing over-the-counter drugs promoted in online challenges.