The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to take up the "Benadryl Challenge" that has gone viral on TikTok, saying that overdosing on the antihistamine can be fatal.
A woman takes the 'Benadryl Challenge' on TikTok. (Photo by TikTok)
The administration's deputy secretary-general, Supattra Boonserm, said yesterday that an overdose of diphenhydramine, sold as Benadryl, can cause a fast and irregular heart beat, seizures, comas and even death.
She was responding to international reports of fatalities among young people who did the "Benadryl Challenge" by taking large quantities of the drug which is supposed to have a hallucinogenic side-effect.
The antihistamine is used to treat respiratory allergies and colds. A child should take 6.26-12.6 milligrammes every four to six hours and an adult no more than 25-60mg in one dose.