On January 25, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) alerted young people to the risk involved in a challenge that has gone viral on the TikTok platform.
The game, called “Whoever falls asleep last wins,” consists of consuming controlled drugs that induce sleep and trying to stay on edge for as long as possible.
What is clonazepam and what is it used for?
Clonazepam is a medication that is usually used and prescribed to treat anxiety and depression, however, it has become famous among young people trying to meet this viral challenge.
Clonazepam is a drug belonging to the group of benzodiazepines, which acts on the central nervous system of people, details MedLine Plus.
“Clonazepam is a drug that is used as an anxiolytic, it is a drug for delicate use because it has to be used under psychiatric supervision,” says psychologist Erika Lara.
The specialist explained that this medication is not prescribed to minors and if it is, psychiatrists prescribe the drug Ritalin.
The Ministry of Health details that it is a controlled medication and is quickly absorbed by the body.
“Clonazepam is rapidly and completely absorbed from the GI tract. Bioavailability is 90% after oral administration. Onset of activity is within the first 20 to 40 minutes and duration is 6 to 12 hours in young infants and over 12 in adults”, details about the specifications of this medicine .
It also emphasizes keeping patients with a history of depression and/or suicide attempts under close supervision.
What to do in case of poisoning?
As has happened in some states of the country, when detecting poisoning derived from this medication, it is best to call the emergency number 911 that attends medical emergencies or go immediately to the hospital.