Doctors are warning that dihydrocodeine, a derivative of codeine sold in pharmacies as a cough suppressant, is being misused by teenagers mixing it with lemonade — a concoction they call “lean”.  

Perth GP Dr Andrew Leech told the RACGP he knew of teenage patients who became addicted to the cough syrup during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“A couple of my teenage patients have told me they drive from chemist to chemist to accumulate the syrup then mix it with lemonade,” he said. 

“I have one teenage patient who is drinking 200ml of Rikodeine [a dihydrocodeine brand] nightly.