Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to temporarily relieve symptoms due to hay fever, upper respiratory allergies, or the common cold, such as runny nose and sneezing. It works by blocking histamine in the body, which is a substance that causes allergic symptoms. When used as recommended, it is a safe and effective medicine. Diphenhydramine is marketed under the brand-name Benadryl, store brands, and generics. It is also available in combination with pain relievers, fever reducers, and decongestants.
On September 24, 2020 FDA warned that taking higher
than recommended doses of the common over the counter (OTC) allergy medicine
diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems,
seizures, coma, or even death.
FDA further added that teenagers ending up in emergency rooms
or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in
videos posted on the social media application TikTok.
FDA investigating these reports and conducting a review to
determine if additional cases have been reported.
FDA also contacted TikTok and strongly urged them to remove
the videos from their platform and to be vigilant to remove additional videos
that may be posted.
Instruction for consumers, parents, and caregivers
Consumers, parents, and caregivers should store
diphenhydramine and all other OTC and prescription medicines up and away and
out of children’s reach and sight.
FDA recommended to lock up medicines to prevent accidental
poisonings by children and misuse by teens, especially when they are home more
often due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may be more likely to experiment.
Always read the Drug Facts label included on all OTC
medicines to find out if they contain diphenhydramine, how much and how often
you should take them, and important safety information.
Do not take more than the dose listed on the label, as doing
so can cause serious problems. If
someone takes too much diphenhydramine and is hallucinating, can’t be awakened,
has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or has collapsed, immediately get medical
attention or contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 or online.
Instruction for Health care professionals
Health care professionals should be aware that the “Benadryl
Challenge” is occurring among teens and alert their caregivers about it. Encourage teens and caregivers to read and
follow the Drug Facts label. In the
event of an overdose, health care professionals should attempt to determine
whether a patient with a suspected overdose took diphenhydramine.
FDA urges health care professionals and consumers to report side effects involving diphenhydramine and other medicines to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of the page.
Source: FDA Drug Safety Communications