Teen Benadryl Poison Calls Hit 6,179 in 2026 as Social Media Challenge Fuels Misuse
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 12
Teen Benadryl Poison Calls Hit 6,179 in 2026 as Social Media Challenge Fuels Misuse
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 12
Summary
6,179 poison center calls involving teens and diphenhydramine were logged in the first five months of 2026, more than double the same period in 2025, according to an America’s Poison Centers advisory.
13.2% of teen diphenhydramine-only cases this year were tied to intentional abuse, up from 7.3% in 2020, with the group saying the rise appears driven by teens taking the drug to get high rather than by medication errors.
10,068 teen-related diphenhydramine calls were recorded in 2024 and 13,284 in 2025, showing the increase was already underway before the latest spike.
Connecticut officials this week said three children died from apparent diphenhydramine overdoses over the past two months, though they have not confirmed any link to the online challenge.
Social media algorithms are fueling a fatal challenge. Are tech companies liable for the teen overdoses?
A common allergy pill is now a deadly teen trend. Should Benadryl be locked behind the pharmacy counter?
Deadly Social Media Trends: The 2026 Benadryl Challenge Crisis and the Surge in Teen Diphenhydramine Overdose Deaths
Overview
In 2026, the misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products, fueled by dangerous social media trends like the Benadryl Challenge, escalated sharply. This challenge encourages teens to ingest dangerously large doses of over-the-counter antihistamines to experience hallucinations or a 'high.' As a result, tragic incidents increased nationwide, including the deaths of three children in Connecticut. The easy access to these medications and the viral spread of risky online challenges have highlighted the urgent need for prevention, open communication, and stronger safeguards to protect adolescents from the severe and sometimes fatal consequences of such experimentation.