Purple drank is responsible for the hospitalization and death of many people, including several celebrity singers, rappers, and professional athletes. For example, the singer and rapper Mac Miller, who later died of a drug overdose, had spoken about his own addiction to purple drank. Compared to other recreational drugs, the ease of obtaining the ingredients and the drug's relatively low cost to make it more accessible than other recreational drugs. In , pharmaceutical company Actavis decided to stop producing and selling its prescription-only promethazine-codeine syrup product nicknamed "Prometh" due to the rise in recreational use.
Unfortunately, this move did not deter its use. In fact, people have reportedly stockpiled the promethazine-codeine cough syrup and it remains to be seen whether people seeking a similar high will come up with another way to concoct a cocktail replete with promethazine and opioids. For instance, drank can be brewed from over-the-counter cough syrups containing dextromethorphan DXM , which is similar to the dissociative anesthetics ketamine Special K and phencyclidine PCP.
Like its chemical brethren, when taken in excess, dextromethorphan can cause hallucinations and out-of-body dissociative experiences; it also causes adverse effects like increased heart rate, hypertension, and diaphoresis profuse sweating. Because there is really no way to know the soda-to-syrup ratio in any given serving, overdose risk is high with drug cocktails like purple drank.
Each ingredient is associated with various side effects. When used as prescribed, promethazine acts as an antihistamine, antiemetic anti-vomiting , and sedative. Codeine is a drug that is metabolized by the body into morphine. In prescription cough syrup, codeine works to suppress a cough.
Purple drank is composed of multiple depressants which can synergize to cause:. Furthermore, when other central nervous depressants are thrown into the mix—like barbiturates , narcotics, and tricyclic antidepressants—repercussions are particularly grim.
From a scientific perspective, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how much purple drank it takes to kill someone. From a medical perspective, it's safe to say that imbibing any amount of purple drank is dangerous. Beyond finding empty bottles of cough syrup, styrofoam cups, soda, and candy among your loved one's belongings, it's important to watch out for any changes in personality and behavior.
Changes might include being irritable, changes in sleep patterns, a loss of interest in school or social activities, or a sudden change in friends. If you suspect someone has overdosed on sizzurp, call immediately or the national toll-free Poison Help hotline A number of commercial products have emerged that are inspired by purple drank and include herbal ingredients such as melatonin, rose hips, and valerian.
These products are often marketed as relaxation aids and sometimes use similar-sounding names such as "Lean" or "Purple Stuff. Just because the main ingredients in purple drank are "legal" or sold over-the-counter in a pharmacy, does not make it safe to drink. When not used as directed on the label or exactly prescribed, cough medicine and other over-the-counter drugs can be harmful to your health. It can be difficult to know what these products actually contain and the potential effects these substances may have.
Always talk to your doctor before using such products, since even herbal ingredients can lead to potentially serious interactions and side effects. Codeine is a habit-forming opioid pain reliever, which means taking more than prescribed can easily lead to dependence and potentially addiction.
How long promethazine with codeine cough syrup will remain in your body depends on several factors, including dosage, how often you use the medication, your age, weight, and metabolism, as well as your hydration and activity levels. While there is no exact drug test or timeline for purple drank, here is an estimated detection window for codeine according to drug test type:.
Developing an addiction to purple drank is possible—but it won't happen overnight. Factors like genetics, environment, underlying mental health as well as the frequency of use all play a role in whether or not someone develops an addiction.
Withdrawal from purple drank use can be very uncomfortable, but it is not life-threatening. Although complications can occur that pose a potential danger. Once the buzz from the drink wears off, however, you may feel very sleepy and possibly depressed. Alcohol also essentially amplifies the effects of the other drugs. This is concerning because the body can and will react in unpredictable ways. In other cases, the body may simply shut down. For example, DJ Screw died in due to a codeine-promethazine-alcohol overdose.
Big Moe was another DJ who died after falling into a coma related to lean misuse. The truth is, many people have no idea that lean is an issue. As a parent or friend, you may spot a problem when you see empty cough suppressant or liquor bottles laying around.
Any drug — even cough medicine — can be dangerous when taken incorrectly. The effects of Codeine are similar to those of other addictive Opioids such as Oxycodone and Heroin.
Typically, its effects begin to kick in within 30 to 45 minutes, though differing amounts of Codeine in Lean sometimes up to 25 times the recommended dose can shorten onset times. The peak effects begin 1 to 2 hours after ingestion and last about 4 to 6 hours. Despite how its been romanticized in popular culture, drinking Lean comes with a host of side effects and negatives outcomes, some of which are listed below. Feelings of euphoria Dizziness Slowed heart rate Slowed breathing Constipation Dental decay Weight gain Urinary tract infections Impaired vision Memory loss Hallucinations Seizures in at-risk individuals.
Many Lean users underestimate the dangers of drinking Codeine. Opioid abuse commonly leads to the body developing a tolerance. As a tolerance to Lean builds, the body produces less and less of its own natural Opioids until it is entirely dependent on the foreign substance.
This dependency compels the individual to consume more and more of the drug to get the same feeling or, in a majority of cases, just to feel normal. The abuse of Opioids like Lean can also lead to life-threatening health complications and even fatal overdose. Upon consuming too much Lean, the brain is flooded with Opioid molecules and becomes unable to regulate its response or mitigate their effect.
When breathing stops, the brain no longer receives enough oxygen to function properly. In about 6 minutes, brain death begins. Cut off from oxygen, the individual may enter a coma or die. Galloway, NJ.
View Center. Nashville, TN. Lean Addiction Statistics In , Texas estimated that at least gallons of Hydrocodone cough syrup had been diverted for illegal use. For an individual suffering from a Lean addiction, reducing use or quitting can feel impossible. The Opioids in Lean help cause addiction and require treatment, counseling, and sometimes medication. The first step of treating a Lean addiction is to enter detox.
Opioid treatment medications may be prescribed to reduce painful symptoms of withdrawal including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Detox may also reveal comorbid diseases or disorders such as hepatitis or nerve damage. Accordingly, medically-supervised detox is integral in ensuring a safe and successful rehabilitation. Make a Call After working as a freelance script and blog writer, she began writing content for tech startups. Maintaining a passion for words, she took on a variety of projects where her writing could help people especially those battling mental health and substance use disorders.
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction.
Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado.
She also has experience with admissions, marketing, and outreach.
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