A 13-year-old boy from Ohio has tragically passed away after attempting a risky TikTok challenge involving the consumption of Benadryl, as reported by a local news outlet and a family fundraising page. Jacob Stevens was at home with friends when he took the antihistamine as part of the challenge. He was placed on a ventilator for nearly a week before he succumbed to the effects, according to a report by WSYX.
The exact cause of death has not been independently verified by CNN. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously warned that taking excessive amounts of Benadryl can lead to severe heart issues, seizures, coma, or even death. This warning was issued in 2020 concerning the "Benadryl Challenge" on TikTok.
Jacob's grandmother is actively working to prevent other children from engaging in this dangerous activity, she shared with WSYX. TikTok expressed condolences to the family and emphasized that they remove content promoting hazardous behavior, prioritizing community safety. The platform stated that they have not observed this challenge trending and have blocked related searches for years to prevent imitation. Their safety team, consisting of 40,000 professionals, is dedicated to enforcing community guidelines and encourages users to report concerning content.
Johnson & Johnson, the company behind Benadryl, has labeled the challenge as "dangerous." They released a statement acknowledging the misuse of diphenhydramine and stressed that their products should only be used as directed. The company is collaborating with TikTok and other social media platforms to eliminate content promoting this behavior and is seeking partnerships to combat the trend.
The FDA's 2020 notice urged TikTok to remove such videos and remain vigilant against future uploads. Benadryl, an antihistamine, is intended to alleviate symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing due to allergies or colds and is safe when used properly. The FDA advises that all medications, including Benadryl, should be kept out of children's reach.