Technology
13-year-old dies after TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge'
“When he did it all came at once and it was too much for his body,” said Jacob’s father
April 18, 2023 8:37am
Updated: April 18, 2023 9:15am
A 13-year-old from Ohio died from an overdose on Benadryl after he attempted to replicate a viral TikTok challenge last weekend.
Jacob Stevens attempted the “Benadryl Challenge,” a viral trend on the social media platform that involves challengers taking 12 to 14 of the allergy medicine in order to cause hallucinations. However, the dosage is six times the recommended amount.
The teenager was with his friends at home while he attempted the stunt. Footage taken by his friends show Jacob taking the pills and then going into seizure.
“When he did it all came at once and it was too much for his body,” Jacob’s father, Justin told ABC6.
Jacob was rushed to the hospital and put on a ventilator. However, he died six days later.
“No brain scan, there was nothing there,” Justin said. “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.”
Jacob’s parents, devastated by the tragic incident, are warning other parents about the dangers of viral trends on TikTok and other social media platforms.
“I’m going to do anything I can to make sure another child doesn’t go through it,” Jacob’s mother, Dianna said.
“Keep an eye at what they’re doing on that phone,” Justin said. “Talk to them about the situation. I want everyone to know about my son.”
Justin is not the first victim of the Benadryl Challenge: in 2020, a 15-year-old girl overdosed on the drug after attempting the stunt.
“The Benadryl TikTok trend is extremely concerning, dangerous and should be stopped immediately,” Johnson & Johnson, the allergy drug’s manufacturer, said in a statement at the time of her death.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also warned TikTokers about the dangers of the Benadryl Challenge.
“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 agency wrote.
“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."
