A new social media challenge is just as disgusting as it is dangerous. Now, it’s caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration, and they’re calling it “a recipe for danger.”
You may have seen it while scrolling in your TikTok feed recently, or may have heard of others you know trying this themselves — cooking chicken in NyQuil.
NyQuil is an over-the-counter cold medicine that’s readily available at any pharmacy or grocery store.
Though it’s generally safe to consume as intended and according to the dosage instructions, the FDA said boiling the medication could make it more concentrated and hazardous to your health.
“Even if you don’t eat the chicken, inhaling medication’s vapors while cooking could cause high levels of the drugs to enter your body,” the FDA said in a news release. “It could also hurt your lungs. Put simply: Someone could take a dangerously high amount of the cough and cold medicine without even realizing it.”
NyQuil or any other OTC drugs can be harmful if misused, according to the FDA.
That’s why the organization is offering some tips to help keep children safe from this social media trend, and others:
“Social media challenge or not, it is important to use medications as intended,” the FDA said in a release.
Parents are urged to read the label on the medication prior to use, as it gives information on the dosage and how to best use it.
If you believe your child has taken too much of an OTC medication, call 911 for immediate medical attention, or poison control at 1-800-222-1222.
For more information, visit the FDA’s website here.