top of page

Codein

imgi_14_c8qtdmtIKagU77TUml2o-small.jpeg

Substance

​Texas Tea / Lean / Purple Drank / Sizzurp

Codeine is a substance found in opium and belongs to the group of opiates. In medicine, codeine is used as a pain reliever (usually in combination with paracetamol) and as a cough suppressant.

group

Be careful when mixing substances!

  • alcohol

  • Ketamine

  • Opioids (painkillers)

  • Benzodiazepines

  • Antidepressants/antipsychotics

​Downers

Forms of appearance

Mono- and combination preparations in the form of tablets, capsules, lozenges, drops or syrup, rarely in suppositories.

Consumption patterns

Oral administration

Substance groups

zzZ

dosage

Low dose: 20–50 mg

Average dose: 50 – 150 mg

High dose: 150 – max. 200 mg/day

Maximum dose: 200 mg/day

A strong calming effect occurs from a dose of 100 mg.

Effect

The effects are individual and dose-dependent. They range from calming effects and mild sedation to euphoria or excitement. In high doses (100-200 mg), codeine is strongly sedating.

Onset of action

Varies depending on the route of administration. Effects take 15-90 minutes with the swallowable form, approximately 10 minutes with snorting or rectal administration, and a few seconds with the injected form (IV administration).

Duration of effect

Snuffed: 3–6 hours; swallowed: 4–12 hours.

Risks and side effects

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, itching, sweating, constipation, feeling cold, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, slowed pulse, sleep disturbances.

At higher doses (overdose or in combination with other downers), further severe side effects can occur: numbness, slowing and suppression of breathing to respiratory arrest, severe drowsiness to unconsciousness, life-threatening shock, visual disturbances.

Long-term risks

Addiction is accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms and can develop with regular use. Withdrawal symptoms in the case of addiction could include: compulsive cravings for opioids, anxiety or agitation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, runny nose, and sneezing.

Safer Use

  • Do not use opioids with other depressants, especially substances that inhibit breathing: alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines/sleeping pills, GHB/GBL, antihistamines.

  • Start with a low dose to determine individual tolerance: Do not increase the dose immediately.

  • Caution when combining with sweet drinks: The dosage is harder to determine, the effect occurs faster and is more intense.

  • Injecting opioids is very risky because the dosage is difficult to control and individual tolerance is hard to assess. Other methods of consumption are significantly safer, especially regarding the risk of respiratory arrest.

bottom of page