
Lean, also known as purple drank, sizzurp, barre, or syrup, is a recreational drug made from a mixture of cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine, a fizzy drink, and sometimes a sweet to mask the taste of the medicine. It is called purple drank because of its typically purple hue. The drink originated in Houston in the 1960s and is popular in hip-hop culture. It is dangerous when consumed with alcohol and can lead to serious complications including respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp, Barre, Syrup |
| Ingredients | Cough syrup, soft drink, hard candy (optional) |
| Cough Syrup Base | Codeine, Promethazine |
| Soft Drink Mixers | Sprite, Mountain Dew, Fanta, or other sodas |
| Hard Candy | Jolly Rancher |
| Effects | Euphoria, Motor-skill impairment, lethargy, drowsiness, dissociative feeling |
| Addiction | Highly addictive, withdrawal symptoms reported |
| Side Effects | Respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, hallucinations, dry mouth, blurred vision |
| Treatment | Evidence-based treatment programs are available |
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What You'll Learn

Combine codeine-based cough syrup with soda
Lean, also known as purple drank, sizzurp, barre, or syrup, is a drink made from a cough syrup that contains codeine and promethazine. This syrup is then mixed with a soft drink, usually a fruit-flavoured drink such as Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta, and sometimes a sweet like hard candy to mask the taste of the medicine and make a purple cocktail. Codeine-based cough syrup is available as a single-ingredient or combination product and is typically administered as a medicine to relieve pain from moderate to mild pain. It is also used to reduce coughing.
When preparing the drink, the cough syrup is combined with the soft drink of choice. A hard candy, such as a Jolly Rancher, may be added to give the mixture a sweeter flavour. This super-sweet combination of soda, cough syrup, and hard candy provides a pleasing flavour and mouthfeel that lingers on the user's tongue for an extended period. This appealing taste and sensation are often attractive to first-time users, especially younger individuals.
It is important to note that lean is not safe to consume under any circumstances. Codeine is listed as a Schedule II drug in the Controlled Substances Act, indicating a high potential for abuse and addiction. The drink contains a massive amount of the opiate codeine, and the addition of promethazine may heighten its euphoric effects. Lean is especially dangerous when consumed with alcohol or other drugs, as it increases the risk of respiratory depression and other serious health complications.
The use of opioids like codeine can also cause dry mouth, leading to an increase in harmful bacteria that can damage teeth and gums. One of the more severe side effects of drinking lean is the potential for hallucinations, which can make an individual engage in risky behaviours that may result in physical harm or assault. Codeine can also impair vision, heightening the risk of accidental falls, injuries, and driving under the influence.
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Add hard candy for taste
Sizzurp, also known as Lean or Purple Drank, is a mixture of codeine cough syrup, soda, and hard candy. It is an addictive prescription opioid that can be deadly.
Hard candy is added to sizzurp to enhance its flavour and make it sweeter. The candy also contributes to the drink's signature purple hue. The most popular choice of hard candy is Jolly Rancher, which dissolves in the mixture. The super-sweet combination of soda, cough syrup, and hard candy provides a pleasing flavour and mouthfeel that lingers on the tongue for an extended duration. This makes the drink appealing to first-time users, especially younger individuals.
The process of making sizzurp involves mixing prescription-grade cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink. The soft drink is typically a fruit-flavoured beverage such as Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta.
To add hard candy to the mixture, you can make your own candy or use store-bought options. If you choose to make your own, you will need sugar, corn syrup, and water. Combine these ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat them until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches the desired temperature. You can adjust the flavour and colour of your hard candy by adding different flavoured extracts and food colourings.
Once you have prepared the hard candy, you can add it to the sizzurp mixture. The candy will dissolve, and you will be left with a sweet and colourful drink. However, it is important to note that sizzurp is a dangerous and addictive drug that can have serious health consequences. It is not safe to consume under any circumstances.
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Use fruit-flavoured drinks
Sizzurp, also known as lean or purple drank, is a drink made from a mixture of prescription-grade cough syrup containing an opioid drug and an antihistamine drug, combined with a soft drink, and sometimes hard candy. The syrup is mixed with a fizzy drink to mask the medicine's taste, creating a purple cocktail.
Fruit-flavoured drinks are often used to make sizzurp. Common choices include Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta. These drinks are mixed with the cough syrup, which contains codeine and promethazine, to create a drinkable mixture. The fruit-flavoured drink helps to disguise the unpleasant taste of the medicine, making the cocktail more palatable. This can be dangerous as it may impair judgment of the potency, increasing the risk of overdose.
The use of soda or candy in sizzurp is to make the drink more appealing to younger individuals due to its sweet taste. The super-sweet combination of soda, cough syrup, and hard candy creates a pleasing flavour and mouthfeel that lingers on the tongue, making it attractive to first-time users.
To enhance the sweetness of the mixture, a hard candy such as a Jolly Rancher can be added. This further masks the taste of the medicine and can make the drink even more appealing to those with a sweet tooth. The addition of candy is not always necessary, as the fruit-flavoured drink may be sweet enough on its own to disguise the taste of the medicine.
It is important to note that sizzurp is not safe to consume under any circumstances. While some of the ingredients may be legal when prescribed by a doctor, the combination of drugs and alcohol can lead to serious health complications, including respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. The addictive nature of the drink can also lead to withdrawal symptoms when trying to discontinue regular usage.
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Include antihistamines
Sizzurp, also known as Lean or Purple Drank, is a recreational drug made from a mixture of cough syrup and soft drinks. It is often served in two foam cups with hard candy added to give the mixture a sweeter flavour. The drink is popular in hip-hop culture, especially in the Southern United States, and is known for its euphoric side effects.
To make sizzurp, you will need a prescription-grade cough syrup containing an opioid drug and an antihistamine drug. The most common type of cough syrup used for sizzurp contains codeine and promethazine. Codeine is an opioid that can make a person feel high because it converts to morphine in the brain and binds to opioid receptors. Promethazine is an antihistamine that can heighten the euphoric effects of codeine. It is sold under the brand name Phenergan and can be bought over the counter to treat allergies, nausea, or insomnia.
When preparing the drink, it is important to combine the cough syrup with a soft drink to create a drinkable mixture. Fruit-flavoured drinks such as Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta are commonly used, as they mask the unpleasant taste of the medicine and create a purple cocktail. Additionally, a hard candy such as a Jolly Rancher can be added to further enhance the sweetness of the mixture.
While sizzurp may be appealing due to its sweet flavour and mild euphoric side effects, it is important to note that it is not safe to consume under any circumstances. The drink carries a high risk of addiction and can lead to serious health complications, including respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. Furthermore, the use of opioids like codeine can cause dry mouth, impair vision, and increase the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to potential dental issues.
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Mix with alcohol
Lean, also known as sizzurp, purple drank, barre, or syrup, is a drink that originated in Houston in the 1960s. It is made by mixing prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing an opioid drug (usually codeine) and an antihistamine drug (usually promethazine) with a soft drink, and sometimes hard candy. The soft drink is usually a fruit-flavoured drink such as Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta.
Mixing lean with alcohol is especially dangerous and can lead to serious complications including respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. The risk of respiratory failure and other complications is greatly increased when lean is mixed with alcohol. This is because both codeine and promethazine are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and alcohol is also a CNS depressant. When taken in high doses, CNS depressants can slow down breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels.
Lean is often consumed with alcohol to increase its effects. It is important to note that lean is not safe to drink under any circumstances, especially when mixed with alcohol. The use of opioids like codeine can also cause dry mouth, leading to an increase in harmful teeth and gum-damaging bacteria.
If you are a parent or carer and suspect that a child may be using lean, it is important to keep an eye on any alcohol in the house, as well as medicines containing codeine or promethazine, as these are commonly used to make lean.
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Frequently asked questions
Sizzurp, also known as lean or purple drank, is a mixture of codeine cough syrup, soda, and hard candy. It is a recreational drug and is highly addictive.
Sizzurp can cause mild euphoric side effects, motor-skill impairment, lethargy, drowsiness, and a dissociative feeling from all other parts of the body. It can also cause hallucinations and blurry vision.
The dangers of sizzurp lie in the fact that it contains codeine, a respiratory depressant, and promethazine, a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. When taken in high doses, codeine can cause one to stop breathing. Mixing sizzurp with alcohol greatly increases the risk of respiratory failure and other serious complications, including respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest.
To make sizzurp, you need to mix prescription-grade cough or cold syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink, usually a fruit-flavored drink such as Sprite or Fanta. A hard candy, such as a Jolly Rancher, may be added to mask the unpleasant taste of the medicine and to make a sweet, purple cocktail. However, it is important to note that sizzurp is not safe to consume under any circumstances and can lead to serious health complications and addiction.











































