Multiple children dead after overdosing on common over-the-counter allergy medication

Three children in Connecticut have died due to overdoses on a common over-the-counter allergy medication, raising concerns among health officials. 

The state's Office of the Child Advocate reported the children's deaths over the past two months from the medication diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms. 

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, the active ingredient commonly referred to as the brand name Benadryl, is used to temporarily relieve symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing due to seasonal or situational allergies or the common cold. 

It is widely available without a prescription at convenience stores and is sold under a variety of brand and generic names in multiple types of medications.

It is available for purchase without a doctor's prescription.

The cluster of deaths in Connecticut just two months is 'unusual,' Dr Krishnan Narasimhan, head of family medicine at Stamford Hospital, said. 'And definitely cause for concern because it's a lot.'  

State officials have not released the ages or any additional details of the children who have died. 

Taking too much diphenhydramine hydrochloride can lead to a high heart rate, seizures, urinary retention that can cause kidney dysfunction and an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. 

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is the ingredient at the center of an alleged social media trend called the 'Benadryl challenge,' though Connecticut officials have not linked these deaths to the challenge. 

Making its way around social media sites such as TikTok, the trend first surfaced in 2020 and dared people to intentionally take too much of the drug and then fight the drowsy side effects it caused.

This resistance produces a high. 

In April, Dr Stephanie Felton, associate medical director for Cook Children’s Medical Center emergency department in Texas, said the hospital had recorded one recent death in connection to the challenge.

The emergency department had also treated more than 100 patients in the previous six months for diphenhydramine hydrochloride overdoses. 

Felton told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the time that the hospital wasn't seeing as many overdoses as it did when the trend first took over in 2020, but the rise, primarily among teens and pre-teens is concerning. 

Now, however, there is no evidence of the trend still existing on social media sites and TikTok has removed any videos related to the challenge from the platform.

When users search for 'Benadryl challenge' on TikTok they are met with the following message: 'Be informed and aware. Some substances can be dangerous when used or misused. Learn more about how drugs, alcohol and tobacco can affect your mind, body and behavior.'

A 'learn more' link then takes people to a substance use and emergency resource page. 

A TikTok spokesperson also previously told Daily Mail that the site's community guidelines clearly state that it does not allow content that shows or promotes dangerous activities or challenges. 

Additionally, when the trend first emerged, Benadryl's parent company at the time Johnson & Johnson called it 'extremely concerning and dangerous' and warned consumers to stop participating immediately.

It added that abuse or misuse of its products can lead to dangerous side effects with long-lasting consequences.

Benadryl is now owned by Kenvue Inc.

The FDA also warned that taking high doses of the drug can lead to heart problems, seizures, coma or death. 

A notice from the agency at the time said: 'We are aware of news 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.

'We are investigating these reports and conducting a review to determine if additional cases have been reported. We will update the public once we have completed our review or have more information to share. 

'We 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.' 

The agency advised parents to store diphenhydramine hydrochloride out of sight and reach of children and even to lock up medications that may be at risk of misuse by kids and teens. 

The notice also advised healthcare workers to be aware of the trend and alert caregivers about it.