Codiene syrups

Actavis Codeine" almost universally refers to Actavis Promethazine with Codeine cough syrup, a product that has been at the centre of significant controversy due to its widespread recreational misuse. While Actavis (now part of AbbVie) has been a legitimate pharmaceutical company that produced various medications, this specific product became infamous globally, particularly through its association with "lean" or "purple drank.

Codeine is used to relieve mild to moderate pain in people who are expected to need an opioid pain medication and who cannot be treated with other pain medications. It is also used in combination with other medications to temporarily relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions in adults.

Codeine and promethazine hydrochloride syrup (“CPHCS”) is commonly manufactured as a purple syrup, but when lighter-colored beverages such as soft drinks or alcohol are added to it, the purple color is diluted to pink.