A recent social media video challenge requires followers to roast chicken in NyQuil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine) or another comparable over-the-counter cough and cold drug, presumably for eating.
The challenge seems ridiculous and unappealing, and it is. However, it could be quite dangerous. Boiling a drug can increase its concentration and alter its characteristics in unexpected ways. Even if you do not consume the chicken, inhaling the medicine vapors during cooking may result in significant doses of the drugs entering your body. It may also be harmful to your lungs. Simply put, someone could consume a dangerously large dose of cough and cold drugs without even suspecting it.
An earlier TikTok challenge encouraged people to take massive dosages of the allergy medication diphenhydramine (available over-the-counter in numerous products, including some marketed as Benadryl) in order to cause hallucinations. Following news stories of teenagers needing to go to the ER or, in some cases, dying as a result of participating in this challenge and taking too much medication.
Call 911 if you suspect your child has taken too much medication and is hallucinating, unable to be awakened, having a seizure, having difficulty breathing, has collapsed, or is showing other signs of drug abuse.