Mid-South Doctors Warn Parents After 15-Year-Old's Benadryl Overdose Leaves Her Brain Dead

3 articles · Updated · FOX13 Memphis · Jun 17

A 15-year-old Oklahoma girl was declared brain dead after her father said she joined the online "Benadryl Challenge," prompting Mid-South doctors to warn parents about the risks of misusing over-the-counter drugs.
Doctors said excessive diphenhydramine can quickly turn deadly, causing hallucinations, seizures, coma, fatal heart-rhythm problems and brain injury even though Benadryl is safe when used as directed.
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital emergency physician Rudy Kink said he has recently treated numerous children for Benadryl overdoses, with some cases severe enough to require pediatric ICU care.
TikTok now blocks searches for "Benadryl Challenge" and shows safety warnings, but pharmacists said parents still need to discuss social-media dares with children and keep medications locked away.

Sources

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