
Teens face rising Benadryl overdoses, health officials warn
Georgia’s poison center reports a sharp rise in diphenhydramine (Benadryl) overdoses among teens, with 278 cases year-to-date in 2026 versus 170 in 2025 (63% higher). Nationwide calls for 13- to 19-year-olds have doubled in early 2026. Experts link the trend to social media hype about using the drug to get high, warning of severe risks including seizures, abnormal heart function, coma, and death. Parents are urged to monitor social media and talk to children about the dangers of OTC medications, especially Benadryl.










