Multiple warnings have been issued after two teenagers died after allegedly taking part in a dangerous challenge circulating on TikTok.
Health experts have issued a warning about the viral Benadryl challenge which involves taking large doses of one of the most popular allergy medicines available over the counter, Buzz.ie reports.
Two teenagers have reportedly died in the US after taking part, including 13-year-old Jacob Stevens who died after “he took a bunch of Benadryl,” trying the 'dangerous' TikTok trend.
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What is the “Benadryl challenge”?
The “Benadryl challenge” involves taking massive amounts of Benadryl, the over-the-counter allergy drug, to get high and bring on hallucinations.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously warned that 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.
The FDA issued the warning following 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.
The maximum allowed dose in a 24-hour period for children aged 6 to 12 is six tablets and 12 tablets for adults and children over 12.
The popular “hallucination game” has been circulating on social media channels since at least 2020. In August of that year, a 15-year-old girl from Oklahoma watched some related videos on TikTok. She died after taking a lethal amount of Benadryl.
In August of 2020, Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Benadryl, issued a warning about the “Benadryl challenge” following the 15-year-old girl's death, saying that this "is a dangerous trend and should be stopped immediately."
“We are working with TikTok and other social platforms to remove content that showcases this behaviour,” the statement added. “We will look to partner across industry and with key stakeholders to address this dangerous behaviour.”
In May of 2020, Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas said that they had admitted three teenagers after they had viewed videos urging them to take dozens of the allergy pills.
Latest fatality
13-year-old Jacob Stevens, from Ohio, passed away on April 12 after spending nearly a week on a ventilator after consuming 12 to 14 pills of the over-the-counter antihistamine in an attempt to induce hallucinations.
Jacob's father, Justin Stevens, told ABC 6 News that Jacob and his friends were filming him as he attempted the social media challenge when his body began seizing.
"When he did, it all came at once and it was too much for his body," he said.
“No brain scan, there was nothing there. They said we could keep him on the vent, that he could lay there, but he will never open his eyes, he’ll never breathe, smile, walk, or talk."
Stevens is now warning other parents to monitor their children's online activity to avoid anyone else attempting the challenge and he has also contacted local lawmakers about enacting an age restriction on buying medicine like Benadryl.
What has TikTok said?
TikTok has since offered "sympathies" to the Jacob's family in a statement which read: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family.
"At TikTok, we strictly prohibit and remove content that promotes dangerous behaviour with the safety of our community as a priority.
"We have never seen this type of content trend on our platform and have blocked searches for years to help discourage copycat behaviour.
"Our team of 40,000 safety professionals works to remove violations of our Community Guidelines and we encourage our community to report any content or accounts they’re concerned about.”
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