Poison Center Calls for Diphenhydramine Among Teens More Than Double in Early 2026, Most Cases Unintentional

America's Poison Centers recorded 6,179 calls involving diphenhydramine and teens ages 13-19 in the first five months of 2026. The total is more than double the number reported during the same period in 2025. The organization issued a health advisory on the rise in exposures.

It stated that the increase appears to be driven by teens using diphenhydramine on purpose to get high rather than by accidental medication errors. Data from prior years show a steady climb. America's Poison Centers received 10,068 poison-center calls involving diphenhydramine among teens in 2024.

The number rose to 13,284 in 2025, a nearly 32 percent increase. The share of cases linked to intentional abuse also grew. 2 percent of teen diphenhydramine-only cases were tied to intentional abuse.

3 percent in 2020. Three children in Connecticut died from apparent diphenhydramine overdoses over the last two months, state officials said. The officials could not confirm whether the deaths were connected to a social-media challenge.

Kenvue, the maker of Benadryl, issued a statement on Wednesday. The company said the health and safety of people who use its products is its top priority. It added that the social-media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately.

The company said its hearts go out to those impacted by the misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products. Taking large amounts of diphenhydramine can affect the brain and heart and may lead to serious or life-threatening complications, America's Poison Centers said.

Symptoms can include extreme drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations, seizures, dangerous heart rhythm problems and loss of consciousness.