Montreal Public Health officials are warning that a purple syrup in circulation, which mimics the appearance of cough medicine, is a fake product that could be lethal.
The product, which looks like an approved pharmaceutical medication and is labelled as “promethazine with codeine oral solution,” contains an extremely potent opioid, protonitazene and benzodiazepine.
Get weekly health news
Users could be unknowingly exposed to risks of overdose and death, the health department warns. Over time, different mixtures have been identified in similar-looking containers, it added.
It goes by the street names of “Sizzurp” and “Lean” and was linked to a 2023 overdose death in Laval, officials said.
- Health officials warn of possible measles exposure at Scarborough hospital, clinic
- Nurses in British Columbia will picket the province’s largest hospital next week
- Virtual platform aims to provide quicker access to New Brunswick health care
- A parasite causing diarrhea is spreading in U.S. as officials investigate
Overdose symptoms may include blue lips and fingernails and difficulty breathing, which are likely to progress to cardiopulmonary arrest, it added.
In the event of an overdose, officials advise calling 911 immediately and administering naloxone if it is available.
Crazy world eh