This blog has been medically reviewed by Gigi Chawla, MD, head of general pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota, and was updated in June 2026.
There has been a rise in reports to poison centers around the United States involving teens and diphenhydramine, the drug commonly found in allergy or sleep medications like Benadryl or ZzzQuil, according to America’s Poison Centers.
On social media, there is a trend called the “Benadryl Challenge,” that encourages kids and teens to take excessive amounts of Benadryl to experience a high or hallucinations — a side effect of taking too much of the drug.
This is not the first time this challenge has gone viral with kids and teens. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the serious problems that can happen after taking too much diphenhydramine.
We’re sharing what parents should know about this dangerous challenge, and how they can keep their kids and teens safe.
Participating in the Benadryl Challenge means teens are typically taking excessive amounts of allergy or sleep medications to feel a rush or a high or experience a hallucination. There are different reasons why teens may participate in this challenge, maybe some are doing it as a dare, to fit in online or because people at school or on social media have done it. They could be doing it as a way to be seen as a leader, because of peer pressure or maybe because they feel bored. But, one thing parents or kids might not know is, taking this much Benadryl can lead to an overdose. It’s important to also be aware that an overdose of Benadryl could also lead to death.
According to Gigi Chawla, MD, head of general pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota, symptoms of a Benadryl overdose that parents should be on the lookout for include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting with inability to protect airway
- Lethargy due to low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Possibly death
How can parents prevent their kids and teens from participating in the Benadryl Challenge?
Teach kids who are old enough about proper medication use
Teens might think that because a medication is over-the-counter (OTC) that it is safe, but this is not always the case. Even though these medications can be sold without a prescription, they can be very dangerous when not taken properly.
Knowing these risks, parents may wonder: Why would my child want to participate in this challenge?
Talk to them
Use this as an opportunity to talk to your children about social media. Discuss the kind of content that they see on these platforms and make sure to keep an open dialogue. Ask them about the trends they are seeing on social media, if they think they are safe and if they have any questions about it. Help your children feel comfortable talking to you about their social media use.
If your teen is mature enough to manage medications on their own, ensure they have an understanding of how to read the label to know the appropriate dose of OTC medication to take. You can also look at the safety information together so they understand what can happen to them if they take too much of a medication.
Keep medications out of reach
If you are worried that your child will participate in a challenge like the Benadryl Challenge, keep medications that contain diphenhydramine locked up and out of reach. You can read the Drug Facts label on any OTC medication to find out if it contains diphenhydramine.
What to do if your child takes too much Benadryl
If your child has taken too much of a medication — whether it was Benadryl or a different medication — you should immediately contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 or online or seek medical attention.
We recommend having the poison control number readily available somewhere in your home, like on your refrigerator. Teach your children where this number is in case someone is ever in need of it; they know where to find it.
