Quebec coroner wants tighter diphenhydramine sales regulations

A Quebec coroner is calling for stricter regulations on the sale of diphenhydramine following an 18-year-old's death from an overdose in December 2023. The coroner deems the over-the-counter availability of the drug unsafe. The young man died from acute diphenhydramine poisoning, a sedative found in some antihistamines. The coroner's report highlighted the uncontrolled availability of the drug, noting previous instances of deaths linked to it, including a social media challenge. The coroner recommends classifying diphenhydramine for oral use in a section requiring more pharmacist management, including record-keeping and pharmacological review. The pharmacists' order will assess the recommendation.