Products containing codeine

By Mandy Vocke

Opioid Epidemic

Some pharmacists calling for stricter access to codeine products

Jun 4, 2019 | 11:40 AM

PRINCE GEORGE— Illicit drugs, like fentanyl, are often thought of as a street drug. But some drugs, like codeine, can be purchased at a pharmacy.

“Most codeine products are by prescription only, but if you get 8 mg of codeine per dosage, that would be available behind the counter. You would need some sort of pharmacist intervention to get it.” -Brett Chiasson, Prince George Pharmacist

Codeine is a painkiller most commonly found in a tablet, such as Tylenol 1 pills, or as a cough suppressant. Mixing cough syrup containing codeine with pop is how some consume the drug. It has been popularized in media, with many rappers making music about drinking the concoction known as ‘lean’ or ‘purple drank’.

Codeine is very dangerous when consumed in high amounts. Users often enter a euphoric state and can experience side effects such as dizziness, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, or even death. An overdose on codeine is very similar to an overdose on Fentanyl.

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Some members of the Canadian Pharmacists Association are now calling for stricter access to codeine products.

In Manitoba, codeine is only accessible with a prescription- something other provinces, including B.C., may consider implementing in the future.