A 21-year-old college student, JC, attempted to participate in the "Benadryl Challenge" on TikTok by consuming two whole bottles of Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Unbeknownst to her, this massive dose could be fatal. She began to experience hallucinations, seizures, and other severe symptoms due to anti-cholinergic poisoning. Benadryl's chemical properties allow it to dissolve in fat, which caused it to accumulate in her organs, including her brain, heart, and other tissues.
At the hospital, doctors struggled to stabilize her heart rhythm and treat her seizures. However, they discovered that infusing a lipid emulsion (fat) into her veins could potentially pull the Benadryl out of her organs. After administering this treatment, JC's heart rhythm stabilized, and she eventually recovered.
The case highlights the dangers of misusing over-the-counter medications and the importance of responsible social media behavior. JC's experience serves as a warning that seeking online fame is not worth risking one's health and well-being.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. JC, a 21-year-old woman, was admitted to the emergency room after taking two whole bottles of Benadryl.
2. She had at least three seizures in the past hour, with the last one lasting over 15 minutes.
3. JC's heart rate was 180 beats per minute, about three times more than normal.
4. Her blood pressure was 70 over 40, about half of normal.
5. She was unresponsive, flushed, and had dilated pupils.
6. Doctors suspected anti-cholinergic poisoning due to her symptoms.
7. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an allergy medicine that works by blocking histamine receptors.
8. Histamine is a natural chemical that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and cognition.
9. Benadryl can cause drowsiness, hallucinations, and seizures by blocking histamine receptors in the brain.
10. The brain is made up of over 60% fat, which allows Benadryl to dissolve and interact with histamine receptors.
11. Cholinergic receptors are similar in structure to histamine receptors and can also be blocked by Benadryl.
12. Blocking cholinergic receptors can cause a range of symptoms, including dry mouth, stomach problems, and heart problems.
13. Doctors treated JC with medicines to stabilize her heart rhythm, stop her seizures, and ventilate her.
14. They also infused intravenous lipid emulsion to try and pull Benadryl out of her organs.
15. The lipid emulsion therapy was successful in stabilizing JC's heart rhythm.
16. JC was hospitalized for several days and experienced mental fog and haze for several months after the incident.
17. She eventually recovered and was able to pull out the tube that was down her throat on day three of hospitalization.