diphenhydramine teen – America’s Poison Centers warns of a sharp rise in teen poisonings tied to diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl and ZzzQuil, citing a 31.9% jump from 2024 to 2025 and more than 30% growth since last year. Three child deaths are being investigated,
Three children have died from suspected Benadryl overdoses, but officials say they can’t yet confirm whether the deaths were caused by the so-called “Benadryl Challenge.”
The warning is not theoretical. On Friday. June 12. America’s Poison Centers—an organization that represents and collects data from 53 poison centers across the country—issued a health advisory telling parents and the public to prepare for more misuse of diphenhydramine. the ingredient in popular allergy and sleep medicines like Benadryl and ZzzQuil.
Diphenhydramine is sold over the counter. used to treat symptoms such as sneezing. runny nose. watery eyes. hives. skin rash. itching and nausea. It is also known to cause side effects including drowsiness, sedation and dizziness. The concern now is that intentionally taking more than recommended can create a “high” feeling—driven largely by drowsiness and sedation—when someone takes enough to cross a dangerous line.
In its advisory, America’s Poison Centers warned that high doses can affect the brain and heart and may lead to serious or life-threatening effects.
The numbers the poison centers have tracked are stark. From 2024 to 2025, poisoning cases related to diphenhydramine jumped from 10,068 to 13,284, a 31.9% increase. The broader pool of teen poisonings involving substances of any kind also rose. up about 5% year-over-year. but diphenhydramine-specific cases are the ones now drawing the sharpest attention.
The speed of the trend is also worsening. In the first six months of 2026. the centers reported 6. 179 diphenhydramine-only poisoning cases among teens—more than double the number recorded in the same period in 2025. More than 13% of teen diphenhydramine-only cases in 2026 involved intentional abuse, up from 7.3% in 2020.
Why this matters is written into the overlap between “medicine” and “misuse.” Attempts to get high—described by America’s Poison Centers as the primary driver behind the increase in poisoning cases among teens ages 13 to 19—push diphenhydramine into territory where side effects can turn into emergencies.
The ingredient doesn’t act alone. Drugs.com has noted that diphenhydramine can amplify the effects of other substances, like alcohol.
Despite widespread online chatter, the poison centers’ June 12 report did not explicitly tie the rise to a specific social-media challenge. Even so, the “Benadryl Challenge” has a history on the internet. In September 2020. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about an apparent “Benadryl Challenge. ” saying it encouraged young people to take higher-than-recommended doses of diphenhydramine. The FDA said multiple teens were hospitalized or even died.
This week, state officials in Connecticut added more urgency. On June 10. health officials there issued a statement about three children who died of diphenhydramine overdoses in the last two months. saying they had received several inquiries about whether those deaths were connected to a TikTok challenge.
Connecticut’s statement said: “OCA has received media inquiries requesting information on whether the deaths are related to a TikTok challenge. OCA cannot confirm such a connection. What is most important is that providers and parents be aware that adolescents may misuse the medication.”
It remains unclear whether a widespread “Benadryl Challenge” is behind the uptick in overdoses. Still, the timing has kept attention fixed on the same question parents now face: what’s safe enough when teens are looking for risk.
America’s Poison Centers also points to what can happen after misuse. Abuse of diphenhydramine can bring immediate unpleasant effects and can also lead to addiction and long-term health repercussions, including serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death, according to the FDA.
The advisory lists symptoms of overdose or poisoning that can show up quickly. including:
Drowsiness or extreme sleepiness
Confusion or delirium
Agitation and restlessness
Fast heart rate
Nausea or vomiting
Hallucinations
Seizures
Irregular heartbeat
Dilated pupils or blurry vision
Poor coordination or muscle control
Loss of consciousness.
Those details land differently when parents see the scale of the problem. The message from the poison centers is focused on what can be done now.
They recommend storing all medications—including over-the-counter products—up high and out of sight and reach of children and teens. They urge families to talk with adolescents about the risks of misusing medications, including serious health effects and poisoning. They also stress following label directions carefully and never taking more than the recommended dose.
Because teens can be influenced by what spreads online, the centers advise people to be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.
And if misuse is suspected, the instruction is direct: contact a local Poison Control Center right away. The advisory lists the number 1-800-222-1222 and says to visit PoisonHelp.org.
Analytical thread running through the warning: intentional abuse is rising alongside the overall jump in diphenhydramine poisonings. and the centers’ data suggests the danger isn’t just accidental. It is showing up increasingly as deliberate use—turning an ordinary cold-and-allergy medicine into a high-risk choice for teens.
Benadryl overdose diphenhydramine America’s Poison Centers teen poisoning TikTok challenge FDA warning Poison Control 1-800-222-1222