What Is Purple Sprite Exactly? Composition Details
Purple Sprite is a street drug made by combining prescription cough syrup containing codeine with promethazine, an antihistamine. These substances are mixed with Sprite or other soft drinks and hard candy, such as Jolly Ranchers, for flavor. Sometimes, other substances such as alcohol are added to the drink, adding to its serious risks and dangers.
Other versions of purple sprite may contain over-the-counter cough syrups such as dextromethorphan (i.e., DXM, Robitussin, etc.) as opposed to codeine cough syrup, but this might not make it any less dangerous.
Other Names for Purple Sprite
There are many other names for purple sprite used on the street, on social media, and in pop culture. Some of these include:
- Purple Drank
- Lean
- Sizzurp
- Dirty Sprite
- Texas Tea
History of Purple Sprite
Purple Sprite can be traced back to the early 1990s hip-hop scene, particularly in Houston, Texas. [1] Since then, the drug has been mentioned in many rap songs, adding to its allure as a party drug.
Despite some very public overdoses and other negative consequences of purple sprite, the drink has remained a popular recreational substance at concerts and parties. Some rappers associated with the negative impacts of consuming purple Sprite include Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Mac Miller, and DJ Screw.
What Are the Risks of Drinking Purple Sprite?
The risks associated with drinking purple Sprite are numerous and potentially dangerous. Even first-time users can experience serious side effects such as seizures and hallucinations. This harmful cocktail, which is often mixed with alcohol, can be highly addictive and carries a significant risk of abuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal. Fatal overdoses have also been linked to Purple Sprite.
Side Effects of Purple Sprite or Lean
Commonly called “Lean,” this nickname for purple sprite references one of its effects: the difficulty users have sitting or standing upright after drinking it. Drinking Lean or Purple Sprite has been linked to several dangerous side effects, though, including: [2]
- Hallucinations
- Severe drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Motor skills impairment
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchiness
- Respiratory depression
- Changes in heart rhythms
- Loss of consciousness
Potential for Drug Abuse and Dependence
One of the primary components of Purple Sprite is codeine, which is an opioid. Opioid pain relievers have been linked to a high risk of addiction and abuse. The common practice of mixing codeine with other addictive substances, such as alcohol, to create this purple drink only serves to heighten the risk of physical dependence and addiction.
Signs of Purple Sprite Addiction
Purple sprite addiction can be dangerous and even deadly. It could be crucial to be aware of the signs of addiction and respond quickly to prevent the unfortunate consequences of drug addiction and abuse: [3]
- Drinking purple Sprite every day
- Building a tolerance to purple sprite, or needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect
- Spending a lot of money or other resources to gain access to the drug
- Continuing to drink purple sprite, despite it causing problems in your life, such as legal consequences or relationship problems
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking purple sprite
Addiction to purple Sprite can compound the risk for dangerous side effects, including long-term harm to the body.
Signs of Purple Sprite Withdrawal
Once you start using purple sprite, it can be hard to stop. Some people may continue using this substance despite adverse effects to avoid the uncomfortable side effects of purple sprite. Inevitably, this tactic only strengthens the hold of physical dependence. Here are some withdrawal symptoms associated with purple sprite to be aware of: [4]
- Excessive sweating
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Stomach cramps
- Enlarged pupils
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Chills
- Shakiness
Risks of Mixing Purple Sprite with Other Substances
One of the major dangers of purple sprite is that it’s often mixed with alcohol and various other substances. This can increase the risk of adverse effects, including seizures, respiratory depression, organ failure, and even death. Here are some of the known interactions associated with promethazine: [5]
- Alcohol
- Sedatives
- Anesthetic drugs
- Certain antidepressants
- Epinephrine
- Anticholinergics
- Barbiturates
- Narcotics
-
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)
This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other drugs, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, illicit drugs, and even herbal supplements, known to cause dangerous interactions when mixed with purple sprite. This is just one of the reasons it’s best to avoid this cocktail entirely.
Purple Sprite Overdose Symptoms
Drinking purple Sprite carries the risk of overdose, particularly since users don’t often know how much codeine and promethazine are in the drink or what other substances are mixed in. It could be important to know the signs of a purple sprite overdose, including: [6]
- Slow breathing
- Cold or clammy skin
- Extreme sleepiness
- Small pupils
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heartrate
- Coma
- Cardiac arrest
If someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms after drinking purple Sprite, call 911 immediately. You can also contact the Poison Control Helpline.
Long-Term Effects of Purple Sprite on the Body
Purple Sprite is highly addictive and feeds the cycle of addiction. As the body builds a tolerance to the substance, they may begin taking it in high doses. Extended use of this cocktail, especially in high doses, can result in serious long-term consequences for the body, including: [7]
- Lifelong dependency
- Organ damage, including liver damage
- Infertility
- Sexual dysfunction
Since purple sprite contains significant amounts of codeine, long-term effects of codeine use should also be considered: [8]
- Pancreatitis
- Urinary retention
- Tremor
- Hypersensitivity to pain
Purple Sprite Isn’t Worth the Risk
Like most recreational substances, purple sprite simply isn’t worth the risk of dangerous side effects and negative outcomes like coma or death. This highly addictive substance can pull you into the cycle of drug abuse and withdrawal quickly, so it’s best to avoid purple sprite altogether. If you or a loved one has already developed a purple sprite habit or addiction, help is available.
FAQ’s
Does promethazine make you sleepy?
Yes. Promethazine is an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness. The other main ingredient in Purple Sprite (i.e., codeine) also causes drowsiness, so this effect is compounded when drinking Purple Sprite. Also note that extreme drowsiness or sleepiness is one of the side effects of a potential overdose with Purple Sprite.
How long does it take to detox from codeine?
It’s impossible to predict a recovery timeline, since everyone is different. A substance abuse and rehabilitation counselor may be able to assess your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan for you, including an estimated treatment duration. Keep in mind that even after you detox from codeine (or other opioids), you may still require aftercare support to avoid relapse.
Can you die from drinking Lean?
Yes. There have been many reported fatal overdoses from opioids in general and purple sprite, or Lean, in particular. While nearly all recreational drugs present the risk of overdose to some degree, this risk could be even higher with Lean, since it’s often mixed with alcohol and other dangerous substances.
Is promethazine purple or pink?
Promethazine tablets can be pink, while the cough syrup containing promethazine is often purple in hue. When mixed with codeine and/or hard candy to make purple sprite, the color is often purple, but it can range in color from red to blue.
What are the treatment options for purple sprite addiction?
The most addictive component of Purple Sprite is codeine, which is an opiate. Thus, treatment for purple sprite addiction may include medical detoxification from opioids, intensive inpatient treatment, outpatient support, and aftercare. Even short-term use of opioids like codeine can cause severe physical dependence and addiction.
Who should avoid purple sprite?
There is no safe use of purple sprite. This dangerous cocktail contains a controlled substance but is not regulated. It’s not only illegal, but it can also carry serious side effects, including addiction, organ damage, overdose, and death. Everyone should avoid purple sprite, but certain populations may be at an increased risk of adverse effects. Some of these people may include:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Young adults or older adults
Those with a history of drug abuse or substance use disorder
People with mental health conditions
People who take other illicit drugs, especially other opioids, benzodiazepines, or fentanyl
People who drink alcohol
Sources
- Palamar, J. J. (2019a, September). Use of “lean” among electronic dance music party attendees. The American journal on addictions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6706295/
- [4] Santos-Longhurst, A. (2019, October 14). What is lean? 9 purple drank faqs. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-lean#short-term-effects
- [7] MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Lean: What it is, effects, and risks. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-lean#addiction
- Promethazine Interactions Checker. (n.d.). Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/promethazine.html
- National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). DailyMed – promethazine with codeine- promethazine hydrochloride and codeine phosphate syrup. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0505fe62-ac59-475e-8c94-1933398be580
- Peechakara, B. V. (2024, February 28). Codeine. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526029/
