Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Quebec Coroner Pushes for Stricter Diphenhydramine Controls After Teen’s Overdose

Coroner Vincent Denault recommends reclassifying the drug under pharmacist oversight following a fatal 2023 poisoning and highlights its misuse risks.

A Quebec coroner is recommending that diphenhydramine — an antihistamine and sedative sometimes used to sleep better — should be better managed in pharmacies after the overdose death of an 18-year-old male.

Overview

  • An 18-year-old in St-Mathias-sur-Richelieu died of acute diphenhydramine poisoning in December 2023, with toxicology confirming lethal levels of the drug.
  • Coroner Vincent Denault’s report identifies diphenhydramine’s acute toxicity, including risks of respiratory depression and fatal cardiac arrhythmias, as key concerns.
  • Denault’s recommendations include reclassifying oral diphenhydramine to require pharmacist oversight and tracking sales to mitigate misuse.
  • The report references prior deaths linked to diphenhydramine misuse, including a 2020 spike tied to the Benadryl TikTok challenge.
  • The Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec is currently reviewing the recommendation, with potential regulatory changes under consideration by provincial authorities.