Tik Tok Benadryl Challenge A Danger For Local Youth

Kids are being challenged to take large amounts of Benadryl for a Tik Tok challenge.

DeKalb County Prevention Coalition Director Jennifer Matthews said the trend has young people recording the before and after effects of consuming.

“Viewers of Tik Tok are encouraged to take a large dose of Benadryl to induce hallucination,” Matthews said. “With Benadryl especially our youth, they feel like Benadryl, because it is an over the counter medication, it is not going to hurt you.”

Matthews said the online trend can cause seizures, heart problems and over doses. Several have reportedly gotten sick in the Upper Cumberland, but Matthews said the DeKalb coalition has not seen a case.

Matthews said the organization plans to add the Benadryl challenge and others like it to school visits for student education. Matthews said the best thing for parents to do is to lock up all medications.

“We encourage parents, grandparents or anyone that has a household that youth visit to lock up medication,” Matthews said. “The coalition, we have free medication lock boxes that we can provide to anyone in the community.”