SouthernWorldwide.com – Poison centers across the United States have observed a disturbing surge in the abuse of common over-the-counter medications among teenagers, with diphenhydramine being a particular cause for concern.
A recent health advisory issued by America’s Poison Centers, an organization representing 53 poison control centers nationwide, highlighted a “concerning rise” in cases involving the misuse of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine commonly found in allergy and sleep aids like Benadryl and ZzzQuil, by adolescents aged 13 to 19.
The advisory noted that between the years 2024 and 2025, there was a 5.1% increase in the total number of substance exposures among teenagers in this age bracket.
However, the increase in diphenhydramine-specific cases was significantly steeper. These cases escalated from 10,068 to 13,284, marking a substantial 32% spike.
This alarming trend appears to be persisting into 2026. In the first five months of that year alone, there were 6,179 reported cases of diphenhydramine-only exposure among teens, which is more than double the number recorded in the same period of the previous year.
America’s Poison Centers attributes these exposures primarily to recreational misuse rather than accidental overconsumption. The data indicates a notable shift, with 13% of cases in 2026 linked to intentional abuse, a considerable increase from 7.3% in 2020.
The advisory strongly warns that improper use or excessive doses of diphenhydramine can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences, affecting both the brain and the heart.
Symptoms of diphenhydramine poisoning can range from extreme drowsiness and agitation to a rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, dangerous heart rhythms, and even loss of consciousness.
To mitigate the risks of overexposure and related complications, America’s Poison Centers offers crucial advice to the public. They emphasize the importance of storing all medications safely, well out of reach of children and teenagers, and strictly adhering to the dosage instructions on product labels.
“It is vital to engage with teenagers about the significant risks associated with misusing medications, including the potential for severe health effects and poisoning,” the notice advises. Furthermore, it urges parents and guardians to “Be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.”
In instances where misuse is suspected, immediate contact with the local Poison Control Center is strongly recommended.
A spokesperson for Kenvue, the manufacturer of Benadryl, expressed grave concern over the social media trend promoting diphenhydramine misuse. “The social media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately,” they stated. “Our hearts go out to those impacted by the misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products.”
The spokesperson also confirmed Kenvue’s proactive measures. “We are working with social media platform safety teams to remove these dangerous posts and help stop this behavior from spreading,” they added. “We are also taking action to educate on the safe use and storage of over-the-counter medicines, including those with the ingredient diphenhydramine.”
Mary Leonard, SVP of communications and public affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, echoed the sentiment, describing the report as “deeply concerning.”
She highlighted the role of product labeling in preventing misuse. “Because misuse of any medication can result in serious health consequences, the Drug Facts label clearly communicates dosing instructions, warnings and other important safety information.”
Kenvue has outlined three key steps individuals can take to help prevent medication misuse.
Additional guidance on dosing and safety information for Benadryl is available on Benadryl.com. Kenvue also strongly encourages consulting a healthcare professional for any questions or concerns regarding medication use.
