Al-Azhar Observatory (Photo: Al-Ahram)
The observatory stated it had recently monitored a growing number of videos on social media platforms showing strips of the drug alongside melancholic music and popular "mahraganat" songs that reference medications as a means of escapism or intoxication.
The observatory described the phenomenon as more than a case of blind imitation, arguing that it reflects a dangerous glorification of psychological suffering and self-destructive behaviour in pursuit of online attention and social media engagement.
"It has become normalized for some young people to portray themselves as victims taking high-risk medications merely to gain likes and trend online," it stated.
According to the observatory, many of those participating in the trend are not psychiatric patients but adolescents and young adults struggling with academic, emotional, or social pressures. Instead of seeking support, they may turn to medications such as Clozapex in an attempt to induce deep sleep or temporarily escape reality.
The statement warned that such behaviour promotes the false perception that self-harm and reckless risk-taking are acceptable ways to cope with stress or attract attention.
Addressing youth directly, the observatory stressed that the sense of relief or temporary escape portrayed in videos is a "deadly illusion."
"Clozapex is a psychiatric medication prescribed only under strict medical supervision and requires regular blood monitoring," the statement reads. "Taking it simply to sleep or escape problems can cause sudden and severe physical collapse."
The observatory warned that misuse of the drug may result in a sharp drop in blood pressure, potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances, respiratory failure during sleep, seizures, coma, and severe suppression of white blood cells that weakens the immune system.
It called on parents to remain vigilant, urging them to pay attention to unusual sleep patterns, interest in sedative medications, or engagement with what it described as "dark trends" circulating online, and also advised families to keep psychiatric and neurological medications securely stored and out of reach of children and teenagers, while encouraging open communication and emotional support as healthier ways to address psychological stress.
The observatory concluded by stressing that life's pressures should be confronted through dialogue, professional assistance, and family support, rather than through the unsupervised use of prescription medications that could have life-threatening consequences.
Separately, Egypt's Drug Authority issued official notices in June 2025 ordering the withdrawal, suspension of distribution, and seizure of a specific batch containing the active ingredient used in Clozapex after it was found to be non-compliant with regulatory specifications.
The authority's action related to the quality status of the identified batch and was not linked to the recent social media trend.
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