A 15-year-old Oklahoma girl is in intensive care after downing Benadryl for a viral, re-emerging TikTok challenge.
Leah Presson participated in the “Benadryl Challenge,” which encourages teens to film themselves while downing toxic amounts of the allergy medication to induce hallucinations and delirium. After drinking the Benadryl, Presson experienced seizures and cardiac arrest, and after multiple tests at the hospital, she was found to have “no brain activity.” She remains in an intensive care unit at Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
“I tell her to keep fighting and stay strong. You got this. You’re a fighter,” Leah’s father, Richard Presson, told KFOR.
Richard Presson initially believed his daughter’s seizures were from her history of asthma, but her symptoms were very similar to those caused by the “Benadryl Challenge.” He said she had participated in the dangerous trend before.
“I don’t even want to think about a funeral because I feel like there’s still hope and everybody’s like, giving up too soon,” her father said. “I believe in miracles, that she’s definitely a miracle baby.”
Benadryl is an antihistamine used to temporarily relieve cold or allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, and itching. An overdose of this medicine can be fatal or cause severe side effects. Diphenhydramine is the generic name for the antihistamine sold under the brand name Benadryl, meaning the two terms refer to the same medication.
Presson is not the first girl from Oklahoma to end the challenge with a devastating consequence. Earlier this year, 11-year-old Molly Miller died from a diphenhydramine-related overdose that was linked to the “Benadryl Challenge.” Three Connecticut children also died from Benadryl overdoses in recent months, The Daily Wire previously reported.
After the deaths of the three Connecticut children, the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate warned parents that the medication “is potentially dangerous to children of all ages.”
“We strongly encourage parents to store all medications safely, to ensure they are not easily accessible to children,” the office added. “We also want parents to know that resources are available if their children are experiencing mental health needs.”
The FDA issued a statement during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, when the challenge first emerged, warning the public about the dangers of overdosing on Benadryl and informing parents and health care professionals.
“We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok,” the FDA said.
Now, searches for “Benadryl Challenge” or “Benadryl” on TikTok lead to a drug and alcohol warning.
“I just want everybody to be aware of where they can educate their kids, but these challenges are just silly, and they need to be educated so it doesn’t happen again,” Presson’s father said.
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