Don't cook chicken in NyQuil, FDA warns after TikTok challenge

Boiling medicine can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways, the FDA said in a notice dated Sept. 15.

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, US, August 29, 2020. (photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)
Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, US, August 29, 2020.
(photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)

Cooking chicken in cough medicine NyQuil is not only silly and unappetizing but can also be very unsafe, the US Food and Drug Administration said, following the "sleepy chicken" TikTok challenge.

A number of videos challenged people to cook chicken in NyQuil, which contains acetaminophen, dextromethorphan and doxylamine, or another similar over-the-counter cough and cold medication, according to the FDA.

“Even if you don't eat the chicken, inhaling the medication's vapors while cooking could cause high levels of the drugs to enter your body. It could also hurt your lungs.”

US Food and Drug Administration

Boiling medicine can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways, the FDA said in a notice dated Sept. 15.

"Even if you don't eat the chicken, inhaling the medication's vapors while cooking could cause high levels of the drugs to enter your body. It could also hurt your lungs."

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, US, August 29, 2020. (credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)
Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, US, August 29, 2020. (credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)

Another dangerous TikTok challenge

This is not the first time the FDA has warned against social media challenges that use non-prescription medicine.

In September 2020, a similar warning was issued by the FDA after reports of teenagers getting admitted to emergency rooms or dying after participating in the "Benadryl Challenge" on the short-video app.