FDA Warns Against Eating Benydryl Itch Gel, Halucinations Possible

Swallowing an over-the-counter medication meant to be rubbed on the skin can have harmful effects, warns the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA has received reports of serious side effects—such as unconsciousness, hallucinations, and confusion—in people who mistakenly swallowed Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel.

I can certainly understand the confusion part. We’ve all done it haven’t we? No? Well it’s a pretty good bet that many more of us will from now on. Like the Darwin effect or car crashes, we can’t resist paying attention to the bizzare.

Although there are other over-the-counter liquid Benadryl products intended to be swallowed, Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel is NOT one of them. It is a topical product meant for use only on the skin.

Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel is safe and effective when used on the skin as directed. People who swallow it can receive dangerously large amounts of the active ingredient, diphenhydramine.