Alarm over codeine-derived cough syrup still sold in pharmacies

Dihydrocodeine was not made prescription-only in 2018
Dr Rose Cairns (PhD). Photo: Fairfax

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.