Story perspectives

Benadryl Challenge Resurfaces, Three Connecticut Children Die

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

The “Benadryl Challenge,” a dare to ingest diphenhydramine doses, has resurfaced, prompting health officials’ warnings.
Three Connecticut children died from suspected diphenhydramine overdoses in the past two months.
Advocate Christina Ghio and the Department of Public Health issued an alert urging safe medication storage.
Pediatric doctors advise locking medicines away and using Zyrtec, Allegra or Claritin, while agencies note self-harm risk and provide crisis resources ConnectingtoCareCT.org and the 211 hotline.

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Story summary

The “Benadryl Challenge,” a dare to ingest diphenhydramine doses, has resurfaced, prompting health officials’ warnings.
Three Connecticut children died from suspected diphenhydramine overdoses in the past two months.
Advocate Christina Ghio and the Department of Public Health issued an alert urging safe medication storage.
Pediatric doctors advise locking medicines away and using Zyrtec, Allegra or Claritin, while agencies note self-harm risk and provide crisis resources ConnectingtoCareCT.org and the 211 hotline.