Codeine is a prescription opiate (natural opioid). It’s prescribed in tablet form to treat pain. It’s also an ingredient in various prescription cough syrups, often in combination with the antihistamine promethazine. Show Some people abuse promethazine-codeine syrup by mixing it with soda and hard candy. This concoction is usually called “Lean.” Other names for it include “Purple Drank,” “Purple Stuff,” “Sizzurp,” and “Dirty Sprite.” Codeine tablets, codeine cough syrup, and Lean are often sold on the black market and abused. Codeine Street PricesThe street price of codeine depends on the form. Codeine Tablet PricesOn the street, codeine typically costs between $3 to $10 per tablet. The tablets come in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg strengths. Generally, the higher the strength, the higher the price. Codeine Cough Syrup PricesCough syrup that contains codeine usually costs between $250 and $600 per pint. As mentioned above, this syrup is often used to make Lean. Premade Lean sells on the street for up to $1,000 per pint. The cost of codeine tablets, codeine cough syrup, and Lean can vary depending on your location. In most cases, street drugs cost less the closer you live to a big city. That’s because big cities tend to have higher supplies of street drugs, and higher supplies generally lead to lower prices. Dangers Of Codeine AbuseLike heroin, oxycodone, and other opioids, codeine poses serious health risks when abused. Codeine abuse occurs when you use the drug in a manner not prescribed by a health care provider. While drinking Lean is probably the most popular way to abuse codeine, some people also abuse codeine tablets by:
The most well-known risks of codeine abuse are increased side effects, overdose, and addiction. Increased Side EffectsThe most common side effects of codeine include headache, stomach pain, and trouble urinating. The drug can also cause more serious side effects, such as:
OverdoseLike other types of prescription drug abuse, codeine abuse can lead to overdose. Common symptoms of a codeine overdose may include:
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek medical help right away. When left untreated, a codeine overdose can be life-threatening. AddictionDrug addiction (also called substance use disorder) is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to control your drug use. Like other opioids, codeine is highly addictive, especially when abused. The most common symptoms of codeine addiction are tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance means that over time, your body gets used to the effects of codeine. You will then need increasingly larger or more frequent doses of the drug to feel the desired effects. Physical dependence means your body starts relying on codeine to function. If you stop using it without the guidance of a doctor, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
Other symptoms of codeine addiction may include:
Like other types of addiction, codeine addiction requires professional help. To learn about treatment options, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. We offer a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient treatments, including medical detox, mental health counseling, and support groups. Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team©2022 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.This page does not provide medical advice. |