NyQuil tweets about cough syrup chicken — the latest dangerous and gross TikTok trend
It treats nighttime symptoms of the cold and flu — and most definitely should not be used as a poultry marinade.
A potentially deadly trend in which buffoons are cooking chicken in NyQuil has been popularized to the point where the brand is now issuing warnings on its social media.
Known as the “NyQuil chicken” or “sleepy chicken” challenge on TikTok and other platforms, the viral trend has bozos boiling chicken breasts in the blue syrup and then eating the results. On Sept. 15, the FDA issued a warning against the dangerous practice.
The viral trend is painfully reminiscent of teens snacking on Tide Pods in 2018, which saw the company release a video exhorting people to “Use Tide Pods for washing, not eating.”
Now, NyQuil is tweeting a stock message at individual users posting about the challenge. They’ve sent out 13 tweets specific to the chicken-NyQuil recipe so far.
“Consumer safety is our number one priority, and we do not endorse inappropriate use of our product,” the message reads. “NyQuil is an OTC medication that treats nighttime symptoms of the common cold & flu. It should be taken as directed using the dosage cup provided, not to exceed 4 doses in 24 hrs.”
But the brand’s tweets in the interest of safety appear to be bringing more attention to the ridiculousness of the situation — making them the target of online trolls.
So far, NyQuil has responded to tweets such as “Thanks for the new recipe @NyQuilDayQuil !!! My chicken is going to be a knockout!!!” by @Congress Duke and “Can you please forward me your chicken recipe?” from @TTommy5150.
“Clearly @NyQuilDayQuil needs to respond to the trend, and put out a SAFE recipe for Sleepy Syrup Chicken,” posted @WeAteAllTheDodo.
Others claimed to have actually tried the trend.
“I tried the a new NyQuil chicken recipe yesterday because I was feeling under the weather and now I feel more sick now :(” wrote @Anthony_pichu.
In response, NyQuil replied: “We’re sorry to hear this. Your safety is our top priority, and we recommend consulting your doctor and discontinuing use. Our products go through substantial tests to be safe when used as directed and with the dosage cup, and we do not endorse inappropriate use of our products.”
According to the FDA, “boiling a medication can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways.”
The agency added that inhaling the medication’s vapors during cooking could cause a surge of the drug to enter one’s body.
“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.”
Meanwhile, more people are joining in and poking fun at the toxic challenge online.
“Is that the recommendation for me, or the chicken?” wrote @SigmundFrood in response to the NyQuil warning.
“Why’d they call it nyquil chicken and not robitusserie,” tweeted MSNBC’s Matt Negrin.