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A new viral challenge among teenagers has increased the concern of parents and doctors in Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The proposal consists of taking ten paracetamol tablets, an analgesic and antipyretic medication, at once and seeing who can withstand the overdose the longest. Whoever resists the longest is declared the winner. Several teenagers ended up hospitalized, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of Rosario (UNR) warned that the challenge could cause irreversible damage or even death.
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The challenge gained visibility on TikTok, one of the most used social networks among teenagers, according to local newspaper La Capital. The practice consists of ingesting an entire pack of one-gram paracetamol tablets and filming yourself as the overdose progresses, up to the limit of the young person’s resistance. The Argentine outlet reported that there are already cases of teenagers hospitalized as a result of the challenge.
This way of using the medication is excessively high in relation to the recommended dose. Paracetamol acts against pain and fever by blocking signals of discomfort in the brain and is usually less aggressive on the stomach. However, the recommendation for adults and young people over 12 years of age is one tablet every six or eight hours, depending on the prescription. Some experts even advise against its use in teenagers under 15 years of age.
As excessive consumption can cause serious poisoning and even manifest effects up to 72 hours after ingestion, it is always recommended to strictly follow the instructions on the leaflet. The challenge, however, ignored these medical recommendations.
According to the local newspaper, the challenge was divided into two stages. In the first, the teenagers competed to see who could take the most pills before being hospitalized. In the second, they compared the length of stay for each participant. Whoever stayed in the hospital for the shortest time was considered the winner.
Although there are already similar records in the United States and some European countries, the challenge has now arrived in Argentina, mainly in Rosario. Therefore, the UNR Faculty of Medical Sciences released a statement to alert families.
“We communicated to fathers, mothers and health professionals about the circulation on social networks of challenges that encourage the consumption of over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol. This challenge involves the intentional ingestion of toxic doses of paracetamol to assess resistance and compare the duration of hospitalization among peers”, informed the university.
The institution then warned of the risks associated with the practice: “Paracetamol can cause serious and irreversible liver damage, which in some cases requires a liver transplant. It can also cause kidney and pancreatic damage and even death.”
“The dispensing of paracetamol to minors is not permitted. When providing the medicine to adults, it is necessary to remember the risks associated with overdose. Medicines should not be within the reach of children and adolescents. Consumption by adults must be responsible”, concluded the note.
