Benadryl Recall Alert: 2,300 Bottles Recalled Over Child Poisoning Risk

Urgent Recall: Benadryl Liquid Elixir Pulled from Amazon Shelves Due to Child Poisoning Risk

Archyde.com – Published March 22, 2025

In a concerning advancement for parents and caregivers across the U.S., approximately 2,300 bottles of Benadryl Liquid Elixir have been recalled due to a notable child poisoning hazard. The recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on March 20, 2025, stems from a critical flaw in the product’s packaging, rendering it non-compliant with federal safety regulations designed to protect children.

The recalled product is Benadryl Liquid Elixir in 100-milliliter bottles, sold via Amazon.The core issue isn’t the medication itself, but the failure of the packaging to meet the stringent requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). This federal law mandates child-resistant packaging for potentially hazardous household substances, including medications like Benadryl, which contains the antihistamine diphenhydramine.

According to the CPSC, the recalled bottles lack the necessary child-resistant features, making them easily accessible to young children. This poses a significant risk of accidental ingestion and potential diphenhydramine overdose, which can lead to severe health consequences, including:

• Heart problems
• Muscle breakdown
• Confusion and hallucinations
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty urinating
• Seizures
• In severe cases, death due to hazardous heart rhythm problems, pneumonia, muscle damage, or brain damage from oxygen deprivation.

Identifying the Recalled Product

Consumers who have recently purchased Benadryl Liquid Elixir on Amazon, or any online marketplace, should instantly check their product against the following identifiers:

• Product: benadryl Liquid Elixir
• Size: 100 mL
• Bottle: Round dark plastic bottle with a pink and white label. “Benadryl” is printed in blue text.
• Packaging: Paper box decorated with pink and white, with “Benadryl” in blue text.
• Code: white label on the bottom of the package with the code “X003VRIGUL” in black text.

Bottles were priced between $16 and $19.

What to Do If You Have the Recalled Benadryl

The CPSC and Kenvue, Benadryl’s parent company, are urging consumers to immediatly stop using the recalled Benadryl Liquid Elixir. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Secure the Product: Immediately place the bottle out of reach of children.
2. Dispose of the Product: The CPSC recommends disposing of the recalled benadryl in a safe manner to prevent accidental ingestion. Contact your local waste management authority for guidance on proper disposal methods for liquid medication.Do not flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so by a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
3. Request a Refund: Consumers who purchased the recalled Benadryl on Amazon are eligible for a refund.To request a refund, send your Amazon order number and a photo showing that you have disposed of the recalled Benadryl to [e-mail].
4. Contact Your Doctor: If you suspect a child or adult has ingested the recalled Benadryl, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention.

Company Response and Investigation

Kenvue has issued a statement addressing the recall, emphasizing their commitment to product safety and quality. According to Kenvue, “We take the quality, packaging, and safety of our products vrey seriously, and we always reccommend keeping medications out of children’s reach.”

The company is currently investigating how the recalled batch of Benadryl Liquid Elixir, intended for the Canadian market and compliant with Health Canada’s packaging regulations, ended up being sold in the U.S. by an unauthorized third-party seller on Amazon. “We are looking into this issue, as the recalled batch of Benadryl Liquid elixir wasn’t authorized for sale in the U.S. Benadryl Liquid Elixir, 100 mL, is a product made in Canada for canadian consumers and follows Health Canada’s packaging rules,” the company stated.

Kenvue also clarified that “This recall only affects the specific lot of Benadryl mentioned and doesn’t impact any other Benadryl products in the U.S. or Canada. Benadryl is safe when used as directed on the label.”

The Importance of Child-Resistant Packaging

This recall underscores the critical importance of child-resistant packaging for medications and other potentially hazardous household products.The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) has been instrumental in reducing accidental child poisonings in the United states since its enactment in 1970. The PPPA requires special packaging for substances that could be harmful to children, making it difficult for them to open, but not for adults.

Despite the PPPA and ongoing efforts to educate parents and caregivers about medication safety, accidental child poisonings remain a significant public health concern. The CDC reports that each year, thousands of children are treated in emergency rooms for medication-related poisonings. Many of these cases involve over-the-counter medications like Benadryl,which are readily available in most households.

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in preventing accidental child poisonings. Here are some essential safety tips:

• Store Medications Safely: Keep all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, in their original, child-resistant containers and store them out of sight and reach of children. Consider using a locked medicine cabinet or storage box.
• Read Labels Carefully: Always read and follow the instructions on medication labels carefully. Pay attention to dosage instructions and warnings.
• Never Refer to Medicine as Candy: Avoid using terms like “candy” when giving medicine to children, as this can encourage them to ingest it without supervision.
• Be aware of Potential Interactions: Be aware of potential interactions between medications, especially when giving multiple medications to children. Consult with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
• Program Emergency Numbers: Program the Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222) and your local emergency services number into your phone.

Additional resources

For more facts about the Benadryl Liquid Elixir recall, consumers can visit the U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission website (www.cpsc.gov) or contact Arsell Support at [e-mail].

For information about medication safety and poison prevention, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website (www.aap.org) or the poison Control Center website (www.poison.org).

Are there any potential gaps in the distribution system or online sales practices that contributed to this recall?

urgent Public Health Alert: Interview with Dr. emily Carter on the Benadryl recall

Archyde News Editor: Welcome, Dr.Carter. Thank you for joining us today. This weekS recall of Benadryl Liquid Elixir is certainly concerning for parents. Can you begin by explaining the key reasons behind this recall?

Dr. Emily Carter (Pediatric Toxicologist): Thank you for having me. The primary reason for the recall is a packaging issue.The bottles of Benadryl Liquid Elixir, specifically the 100 mL size sold on Amazon, do not meet the child-resistant packaging standards mandated by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). This means that the packaging could be easily opened by a child, presenting a important risk of accidental ingestion and potential poisoning.

Understanding the Danger and Symptoms

Archyde News Editor: What are the potential health risks associated with a child ingesting Benadryl, and what should parents watch out for?

Dr. Carter: benadryl contains diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. Overdose in children can manifest in several ways.Watch for heart problems, muscle breakdown, confusion, hallucinations, and blurred vision. Other symptoms include difficulty urinating and even seizures.In severe cases, it can lead to dangerous heart rhythm problems, pneumonia, muscle damage, brain damage, and sadly, even death. It is crucial to seek immediat medical care if you suspect ingestion.

identifying and Addressing the Recalled Product

Archyde News Editor: The article outlines specific product identifiers. Could you reiterate the vital steps consumers should take if they believe they have the recalled Benadryl?

Dr. Carter: absolutely. First, confirm that your product matches those identifiers: Benadryl Liquid Elixir, 100 mL bottle, a round dark plastic bottle with a pink and white label, and a white paper box. If it matches, immediately secure the medication out of reach of children. Then, contact your local waste management authority for disposal instructions. For a refund, contact [e-mail], providing your Amazon order number and image of disposal. And most importantly: Immediately contact your doctor or seek medical help if you suspect a child has taken the medication.

The Broader Context of Child-Resistant Packaging

Archyde News Editor: This incident obviously highlights the importance of the Poison prevention Packaging Act. Can you explain the impact of its guidelines, and why recalls like this are a reminder of ongoing needs?

Dr. Carter: The PPPA, in effect as 1970, has been instrumental in dramatically reducing accidental child poisonings. Special packaging makes it difficult for children to open potentially hazardous substances,but not adults. However,as this recall shows,vigilance is still critical.Accidental child poisonings involving medications, including over-the-counter drugs like benadryl, remain a significant concern. Parents and caregivers must always store medications safely and follow label instructions precisely.

Prevention and Safety Tips for Parents

Archyde News Editor: What are some key preventative measures that parents can take to protect their children from accidental medication poisoning?

Dr. carter: Several simple yet vital steps can make a big difference. Always store all medications, including over-the-counter medicines, in their original, child-resistant containers, and in a place that is up, away and out of sight and reach of children—a locked medicine cabinet or storage box is ideal. Be extra cautious about reading and following label instructions, knowing the right dosage. Never refer to medication as “candy.” program the Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222) into your phone.

Archyde News Editor: Dr. Carter, the investigation in this case explores how the recalled batch of was able to be sold in the US, despite being designed for a different market (Canada). What broader lessons can pharmaceutical manufacturers and online retailers derive from this specific incident, beyond the most immediate safety implications? What procedural gaps does this expose?

Dr. Carter: The incident brings to light serious questions about a breach in distribution that allowed a product not authorized for sale in this market to be sold to US consumers. it emphasizes the need for robust supply chain controls, stringent verification of third-party sellers, and heightened vigilance in cross-border sales. Pharmaceutical companies must have mechanisms in place to closely monitor the distribution of their products,especially when sold through online marketplaces. Retailers, in turn, need reliable systems to verify the authenticity of products and ensure they comply with all local regulatory requirements. Without those safeguards,a situation like this could happen again with a much wider range,or much more dangerous drugs.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Archyde News Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your invaluable insights. Is there any final advice or thought you’d like to leave our readers with?

Dr. carter: always double-check the medicine you have at home, and make sure anything that could be misused is out of sight and reach. If you have questions, call your doctor of local poison control, they are ready and there to help you with any concerns.

Archyde News Editor: Thank you for your time.If you suspect a child has ingested the recalled Benadryl, seek immediate medical attention, or contact your doctor.