New Jersey Poison Control issues urgent warning over viral Benadryl social media trend
The New Jersey Poison Control Center was recently involved in the medical management of the teen
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Health experts are issuing an urgent warning to parents, educators and teenagers about a dangerous social media trend known as "Benny tripping" after a New Jersey teen was hospitalized.
Poison control specialists at the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School were recently involved in the medical management of the teen, who intentionally consumed a large dose of Benadryl to experience hallucinations.
The practice, also referred to online as the "Benadryl Challenge," can quickly become life-threatening. The hospitalized teenager was initially described as "not acting like themselves" before symptoms rapidly escalated to confusion, severe disorientation and slurred speech.
"Many families have Benadryl and other over-the-counter medicines at home and would never expect it to send a child to the hospital," said Dr. Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center. "What may look harmless on a screen can become a medical emergency in real life."
Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, is a widely used over-the-counter antihistamine. However, when taken in excessive amounts, experts warn it can cause severe confusion, hallucinations, seizures, dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, loss of consciousness and even death.
Health officials urge parents and caregivers to take the following steps to prevent medicine misuse:
Talk to teens: Have open conversations about the serious health risks associated with viral social media challenges and medicine abuse.
Secure medications: Keep all over-the-counter and prescription drugs locked away and out of sight, and monitor bottle quantities.
Limit unsupervised access: Caregivers should maintain oversight and administer medications when appropriate.
Educate on OTC risks: Emphasize that over-the-counter drugs can be just as dangerous as prescription medications when misused.
If you suspect someone has taken too much medication, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. The New Jersey Poison Control Center provides free, confidential medical guidance 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222 or online.
