By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Sept. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News)
A new net dare, broadcast greatly on teenager-welcoming TikTok, urges little ones to overdose on the about-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl.
But the “Benadryl Problem” has currently killed 1 teenager and despatched many others to the ER, experts alert.
In accordance to News4 in Oklahoma City, 1 15-calendar year-aged woman endured a deadly overdose whilst reportedly trying the challenge late final thirty day period. Other instances of little ones becoming rushed to the healthcare facility right after similar incidents are popping up nationwide.
The Benadryl Problem is circulating on social media and encourages people to overdose on the drug to realize a hallucinatory condition.
But as with any drug, using as well significantly Benadryl can promptly demonstrate harmful and even fatal, in accordance to unexpected emergency drugs medical doctor Dr. Robert Glatter.
“Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) results in toxicity in a dose-dependent fashion — which means that escalating doses can be fatal,” stated Glatter, who performs at Lenox Hill Healthcare facility in New York City.
As shown on Benadryl’s web-site, little ones among the ages of six and 12 should only acquire 1 tablet of the drug each individual 4 to 6 several hours, whilst those older than 12 should only acquire up to two tablets about the identical period of time. No 1, no make a difference their age, should acquire additional than 6 doses inside of 24 several hours, the drug’s homepage states.
But there are media stories of some little ones concerned in the Benadryl Problem becoming inspired to acquire up to 12 tablets at at the time. In accordance to Glatter, that is a possibly deadly amount.
“Just set, as you method the dose that prospects to hallucinations that the ‘challenge’ phone calls for, the danger for seizures and fatal cardiac arrhythmias considerably will increase,” he said.
“Escalating doses of Benadryl commonly lead to sleepiness, confusion, vomiting, agitation, elevated coronary heart fee, which can precipitate a cardiac arrhythmia as well as a seizure. Men and women could also have to have intubation [mechanical respiratory support] to secure their airway in the location of a substantial overdose,” Glatter additional.
In truth, most of the teens who’ve harmed on their own throughout the Benadryl Problem have knowledgeable coronary heart challenges, in accordance to a report on the phenomenon by Fantastic Housekeeping.
Dr. Kenneth Perry, assistant health-related director at Charleston, S.C.-based mostly Trident Health care Center, furnished the magazine with a checklist of Benadryl overdose indications that mother and father should glance out for:
- Too much overall body heat and flushing of the pores and skin, given that as well significantly of the drug can cause overheating
- A lower in sweating and urination — the latter indications can deliver on really serious challenges
- Changes in eyesight, this kind of as an incapacity to aim on your environment and limits in pupil sizing
- Delirium, which could incorporate a sensation of “spinning” or hyper-awareness, as well as long durations of nervousness.
When these indications surface, health-related support could be essential.
“The base line is that participating in this kind of a challenge is inherently risky and can be deadly,” Glatter said. “In light-weight of these and other risky social media challenges, it can be important that mother and father monitor their teens’ social media exercise.”
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Sources: Robert Glatter, MD, unexpected emergency drugs medical doctor, Lenox Hill Healthcare facility, New York City Fantastic Housekeeping News4 Oklahoma City