Download What is it? What is this drug classified as? How is the drug

What is it?
• Sizzurp is a dangerous recreational drug, usually derived from mixing prescription-strength
cough syrups which contain codeine, an opiate, and the antihistamine promethazine
with clear soda (Sprite, 7-Up or Mountain Dew) and jolly rancher candy, which adds a sweeter
flavor to the syrup.
• Over the counter cough syrup can be used as well.
• Most often sizzurp is purple, hence the “purple
drink” name. The purple color comes from the
dye in the cough syrup.
• Sizzurp is sometimes used along with alcohol as
syrup for cocktails or with marijuana by
soaking a blunt in syrup before smoking.
• Cocaine users may also use sizzurp to help with
the chest congestion and cough that come
with smoking crack.
What is this drug classified as?
• Sizzurp is a depressant , due to the codeine and promethazine it contains.
• Because codeine is an opiate, it can be highly addictive if abused.
How is the drug taken?
• The “drink” is usually drank from a Styrofoam cup.
• Sizzurp-sized helpings of cough syrup can exceed up to 25 times the recommended dose of
cough syrup prescribed to a person.
• Many times vodka or crushed painkillers are tossed into the drink as well.
Slang names?
• Drank, Barre, Purple drank, Purple jelly, Water, Lean and Texas tea
What are the effects of the drink?
• Side effects of purple drank abuse include:
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Anxiety
Raspy voice
Loss of muscle control
Slower heart rate
Seizures
Lack of coordination
STD/STI’s
Rape
Slurred speech
Respiratory arrest/Cardiac arrest
Death
Source: Go Ask Alice, Florida Poison Information Center, Partnership at Drugfree.org
Hamilton County Health Department
Division of Health Education
www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov