Actavis Promethazine Codeine

Actavis Promethazine Codeine

 

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Actavis Promethazine Codeine is a prescription cough syrup. It combines two active ingredients: promethazine, an antihistamine, and codeine, an opioid. Actavis, a global pharmaceutical company, originally manufactured this product. It became widely recognized in medical practice and popular culture.

Promethazine blocks histamine receptors. This action reduces allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itching. It also has sedative properties. These properties help patients rest while recovering from respiratory illnesses. Codeine acts directly on the brain’s cough center. It suppresses coughing. Together, the two ingredients provide relief for coughs and upper respiratory symptoms caused by colds, allergies, or infections.

Doctors prescribed Actavis Promethazine Codeine for short‑term use. Codeine carries risks of dependence and misuse. The syrup came in liquid form, often purple in color. Patients took it orally in carefully measured doses. Because it contains an opioid, the U.S. classified it as a controlled substance. It has legitimate medical uses but also a high potential for abuse.

The syrup became infamous outside medical settings. In the early 2000s, it gained popularity in music and cultural circles. People used it to make recreational drinks like “lean” or “purple drank”. Users mixed the syrup with soda or candy. This misuse created serious health risks. These risks included respiratory depression, overdose, and death. Dangers increased when combined with alcohol or other sedatives. Actavis eventually pulled its brand from the market. Generic versions remain available under strict regulation.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and impaired coordination. More severe risks include slowed breathing, liver damage, and addiction. Physicians now prescribe alternative cough treatments more often. They reserve codeine‑based syrups for cases where other medications fail.

In summary, Actavis Promethazine Codeine was a cough syrup that combined an antihistamine and an opioid. It provided effective relief but became notorious for recreational misuse. This misuse led to tighter regulations and the withdrawal of the Actavis brand.

 

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