The abuse of cough syrups containing codeine, which can be bought over the counter, have become a great concern especially among the youth in SA. The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority has formulated new guidelines in an attempt to reduce excessive consumption of the cough syrup.

IT CAN CAUSE HEALTH COMPLICATIONS

According to SAHPRA, the cough syrups are usually mixed with fizzy drinks and referred to as lean. "By mixing it in this way, it enables the consumers to drink it in large amounts without experiencing the unpleasant taste," the healthy product authority said. Spokesperson Nthabi Moloi explained that the mixture comes with a high of warm fuzzy feelings but overdosing comes with serious health complications including seizures. "Health complications include confusion, breathing problems, damage to the liver and gastrointestinal issues, like constipation, bleeding and peptic ulcers. People can also die from overdosing," said Moloi. 

A GREAT CONCERN

In response to the excessive use and abuse of the syrup, authorities have been developing a plan to track the chain of supply from the manufacturer to the patients and the black market. Moloi, told a health news site ,Spotlight ,that abuse of codeine-containing products in the country was of grave concern and healthcare professionals have been looking for ways to curb the abuse of this substance. She said only those who have a script and their identity document could be administered codeine containing medication. "However, the medication is not sold in large quantities. Now the way that its being consumed tells us that the illegal sale of codeine containing medication happens straight from the manufacturer or wholesalers."