Tranquilizer Challenge: TikTok’s stupid (and dangerous) new challenge

Tranquilizer Challenge TikToks stupid and dangerous new challenge

On Tiktok, the Tranquilizer Challenge is all about taking clonazepam and fighting its effects for as long as possible. Several teenagers have been hospitalized in Mexico.

After the Labello ChallengeTHE Blackout Challengewhere the BrightEye Challengea new challenge dangerous appeared on TikTok between the end of January and the beginning of February 2023: the Tranquilizer Challenge. A challenge (stupid) which consists of taking clonazepam (an anxiolytic/antiepileptic that induces sleep) and try to resist its effects as long as possible. This is a game whose principle is “the last one to fall asleep wins”. It goes without saying, but taking this type of medicine, without a medical prescription, is extremely dangerous.

Photo of Clonazepam (Rivotril) © sangriana – 123RF

Gathering over 294 million views on TikTok (video sharing and social networking mobile application) with the hashtag #TranquilizerChallengethe challenge took on unprecedented proportions and led to the hospitalization of about fifteen teenagers aged 10 to 12 derived from several colleges from Mexico City and Guanajuato (Mexico) who filmed themselves and staged themselves on the social network, reports the Government of Mexico (Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks) in a press release dated January 25, 2023. The state of health of the victims as well as the dose of clonazepam taken are not yet known. In this context, the Mexican health authorities have published a national warning regarding this challenge and the Mexican Ministry of Health has asked the general public to let them know if they know of or hear of any pharmacies that sell non-prescription tranquilizers (which is normally not possible). “The appeal is also made to children and adolescents not to participate in this challenge or promote challenges that put their lives at risk.“, can we read on the press release. In France, no report linked to this challenge does not seem to have been registered yet.

What are the dangers of clonazepam?

THE clonazepam is a drug that is part of the benzodiazepine family. It is marketed as Rivotril® since 1998, in France and in other countries. It has pharmacodynamic activity associated with effects muscle relaxants, anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants and amnesiacs. Its use must be subject toa medical prescription (SO not available without a prescription) in very precise indications according to theMedicines Agency (ANSM) : epilepsies or Lennox-Gastaut syndromes (a severe form of epilepsy that mainly affects children). Its prolonged use is associated with a very powerful phenomenon of dependence, a risk of tachycardia, respiratory problems, seizures and cognitive, neuropsychic or psychomotor disorders. Among the most extreme risks: coma or even cardiac arrest when taken in high doses or when combined with other drugs or substances.

→ See the Clonazepam sheet in the Medicines Directory of the Journal des Femmes Santé.

Sources:

– The Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks alerts on the consumption of controlled drugs associated with viral gambling, Government of Mexico City, January 25, 2023,

– Rivotril® (clonazepam): Modification of the prescribing and dispensing conditions – ANSM information point, 18 October 2011

jdf4