Drug info - OTC stuff in the UK

[Zaprenz]

Gee's Linctus (Contains opium tincture) - Actually hard to aquire as they will usually sell it to old people as its a generation thing. No real medical reason for it nowadays but they will happily sell it to people who have obviously been using it a long time(occasionally that is).

Kaolin & Morphine (Morphine which can be separated fairly easily using time) - As above although slightly easier to aquire, it depends what use and who is selling it.

Codeine Linctus - IS technically still made in [P] format (Pharmacy over the counter) as oppossed to [POM] Prescription only medicine but a LOT of pharmacies choose not to stock it and therefore when they say "we don't sell it" they are often telling the truth. The few pharmacies that still stock it are probably not going to be happy continually selling it. Pharmacies will have big bottles of it for prescriptions but a) they wont sell the big bottles as thats illegal and b) They are not going to bother pouring some into a small bottle, working out what quantity is legal, writing out instructions and a label just for a few quid.

There is pulmo Baily which contains Guaiacol 75mg, Codeine 7mg but isn't really suitable or usefull. Also available J.Collis Brown mixture it contains morphine in very small amounts with peppermint oil - not very large and doesn't seperate easily like kaolin & morphine.

Paramol (Dihydrocodeine + Paracetamol), Neurofen Plus (Codeine + Ibuprofen) + variations on co-codamol are sold usually no questions asked. Well they do ask questions but its more just checking you know what your doing as opposed to an interrogation. They essentially don't care and are just covering their backs unlike the above linctus' which they don't like selling.

There are also a few products containing ephedrine but seeing as they contain other compounds such as theophyllin (which can be dangeous especially taking too much) it is much more sensible to buy ephedra or sida cordifolia (which are both legal in UK) or ephedrine pills which are semi legal (legal to import but are technically prescription only med). This is if one is so inclined anyway, ephedrine is still the unhealthy, heart racing, quasi-horrible stimulant.

Diphenhydramine & Promethazine are also available OTC.

There are many products containing DXM but none of them contain it alone without other chemicals that cause problems. Ranging from paracetamol (extremely dangerous) to sorbitol. There are chewable sweets but they only contain 7.5mg which means a lot of menthol, sorbitol etc. It is essential one knows what one is doing and understands all the ingredients contained in any DXM preperation - there are more threads on this - use the search. Unfortunately its not as convenient as certain products in the U.S.

As mentioned already a cold water extraction is essential on tablets or pills - even taking more than 1g of paracetamol at once and definately no more than 4g in a day. This is no joke - slow liver damage is also possible from taking even small amounts above the recommended dose frequently. ITS NOT WORTH IT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol

Be Safe.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Koalin & Morphene still legal! - Who knew!

[darkglobe]

OTC DRUGS COMMONLY ABUSED IN THE UK

The more common abused OTC drugs in the UK generally fall into three categories: Cough Suppressants, Opiate Painkillers and deleriant Antihistamines. Each of these is described in as much detail as possible below. While referring to this post, please remember that I'm not a scientist. I welcome all additions/corrections to this post from anyone wishing to share their knowledge.
Please also note this list is not intended as a directory of what to get fucked up on when you run out of crack cocaine! All info is posted here (genuinely) to inform and protect. Any individual who reads this and makes their own judgement with regards to abusing these OTC substances gambles with their own health, their own reputation and indeed, their own life.

COUGH SUPPRESSANTS

Without insulting anyone's intelligence, cough suppressants are those medicines used to reduce or stop the involuntary cough action. The abusable ones come in a number of forms. The ones I know about are described here.

Codeine-Based Cough Suppressants
Codeine is an Opiate derived from Opium, but usually synthesised artificially in recent times (I believe). Codeine is a widely-used and reportedly effective painkiller, but it also used as an antitussive. It is this use that I have attempted to describe below.

Codeine as an Antitussive:Codeine is believed to be a mild to moderately effective cough suppressant. While being popular for many years as an antitussive (cough suppressant), Codeine has generally been replaced by newer drugs, such as Dextromethorphan. I am not completely au fait with Codeine's methods of action as an antitussive, but the basic ideas is that it acts on the Vagus nerve in the Brain, which controls the "itch" reflex from the throat.

Codeine as a Recreational Drug: Codeine's abuse potential is high, as it is an opiate - giving rise to addiction and dependance problems. For years Codeine cough suppressants have been abused for those who enjoy the effects of recreational Codeine use: euphoria, sedation, contentment etc.

Forms of Codeine Cough Suppressant: Codeine usually comes in a linctus (syrup) form for use as a cough suppressant. Also, I believe is is generally combined with other ingredients in order to reduce abuse potential. I'm not aware of Codeine cough suppressants coming in tablet or capsule form.


Dextromethorphan-Based Cough Suppressants
Dextromethorphan (DXM for the benefit of my fingers) is a synthetic drug used to treat 'dry' (non-productive) coughs. The drug was originally brought out to reduce the demand for remedies using Codeine Phosphate (see above). DXM started its life in our shelves in 1958, and is still widely in use at present.
DXM as an Antitussive: While DXM is in fact the singular most popular antitussive available today, it's efficacy has recently been in doubt amongst researchers (see here for more information). The drug is alleged to reduce the involuntary cough reflex (from the throat to the brain), without stunting the function of the cilia (tiny hairs on cells lining the alimentary canal).

DXM as a Recreational Drug: DXM has been known for its recreational effects since the 1960s with the introduction of 'Romilar' (an OTC tablet-form of DXM). Romilar was taken off the shelves in 1973, following an 'abuse epidemic', if you like.

Forms of DXM Cough Suppressant: DXM comes in a number of forms. The most popular are: cough syrup/linctus, gelcap and spray/mist. DXM is often combined with other ingredients in order to recuce abuse potential and increase efficacy of product.

Post still work in progress. Please, let me know what you think!

[darkglobe]

I'm intrigued about Gee's Linctus, but purely for nostalgic and historical reasons.

I do not and have never consumed opium tincture or Codeine linctus, and wouldn't, but am shocked about the continued sale.

[baron samedi]

SWIM found your guide interesting and informative darkglobe, hope its completed someday. SWIM would never abuse OTC stuff, of course, but appreciates its educational value.
It is rather curious that a medicine containing opium is still available OTC, but SWIM believes laudanum is still available on prescription in the US as a cough suppressant, so presumably opium still has some medicinal value. If only laudanum was still available OTC! The Victorian era drug culture still has a certain allure for SWIM.
Apparently Howard Marks has endorsed Gee's Linctus, a good way, SWIM thinks, of getting it banned sooner rather than later.

[Benga]

Originally Posted by baron samedi

SWIM found your guide interesting and informative darkglobe, hope its completed someday. SWIM would never abuse OTC stuff, of course, but appreciates its educational value.
It is rather curious that a medicine containing opium is still available OTC, but SWIM believes laudanum is still available on prescription in the US as a cough suppressant, so presumably opium still has some medicinal value. If only laudanum was still available OTC! The Victorian era drug culture still has a certain allure for SWIM.
Apparently Howard Marks has endorsed Gee's Linctus, a good way, SWIM thinks, of getting it banned sooner rather than later.

yes, that's true, opium tinctures and paregorics are still available in the USA as cough suppressants and anti-diarrheals, though rarely prescribed.
but as an otc opium containing product in England...truly amazing

[darkglobe]

Thanks to Baron Samedi for his comments.

I've encountered a few problems at present which have stopped me finishing the post in a timely manner. When it's finished it should contain info on opiate painkillers, cough meds, antihistamines and possibly nitrous oxide, as it is technically an over the counter drug (whipped cream doesn't come on prescription lol).

I still can't get my head around Opium tinctures being legal in the UK.

[AceOvArts]

SWIM just bought a bottle of Kaolin & Morphine from boots, the contents inclue 0.0092% morphine per 5ml of solution, the bottle contains 200ml so what is that, like 4ml of morphine ? Someone work it out please

[Perception Addict]

Ok, this math should definitely be rechecked, but swim THINKS that if
5ml contains 0.0092% morphine, 1ml would contain 0.00184% morphine.
So, 200ml would contain 0.368% morphine, which would be 0.7ml.

[monkeygone2heaven]

swim would so much rather have propylhex. available OTC as at these dosages the codeine are a just a joke (swim's a pain patient so would not get high on such doses but can't imagine many people would).

as opposed to russia where swiy can get some decent piates OTC

[machine_elf]

So is Gee's linctus abusable? Swim found a pastille preperation containing: Camphorated Opium Tinc. BP 0.075ml, Squill Liq. Extra. BP -.-3ml, Cinnamic Acid BP 0.025mg, Benzoic Acid BP 0.60mg, Glacial Acetic Acid BP 0.02ml, Honey 0.2ml

It is sold by the 45g and is perversely cheap. Would any of the other ingredients cause an overdose before recreational opium doses could be achieved? Many thanks in advance.

[baron samedi]

Hope this isn't too off topic, but can any UKSwimmers inform SWIM of UK law regarding importation of OTC medicines that contain small amounts of opioids, i.e. codeine, DHC, propoxy etc?
According to a site linked to erowid which deals with UK drug schedules, it seems that it is legal to import this kind of medicine, providing it falls within certain limits regarding quantity of the opioid (100mg for codeine and DHC, 135mg for propoxy).
Can anyone confirm whether SWIM's assumptions are correct on this matter and that importing such medicines would not result in trouble for the importer?

[5imon]

anyone from the UK i can relate OTC brands with?

[lyndon]

hi ya
I'm from the uk what sort otc things were u looking for..
seems that in the uk were fairly limited in what can get or rather we've got
into otc brands 2late

[Whit]

I don't really grasp what your asking?

What exactly do you mean by Over The Counter brands?

Are you referring to drugs legally purchased OTC, or are you referring to prescription drugs, if either?

[lyndon]

i'm guessing swim is referring to drugs legally purchased OTC

only thing about this is that all worth while OTC brand are just that & your limited
on how many u get plus all questions u'll be asked if think ur suspicious

[lyndon]

some OTC brands 4ya..

Gee's linctus - opium tincture
Kaolin & Morphine - morphine
Codeine linctus - codeine
Pulmo baily - codeine
Paramol - dihydrocodiene

Ephedra
Sida cordifolia
Ephedrine
Yohimbe

Diphenhydramine & promethazine
DXM (robitussin)

UK vicks - no point going near any decent properties long since gone..
UK benadryl - stay well clear

Pro plus (caffeine) - crush em' & snort - it works you'll buzz off em'
Catnip (smoke) - havnt tried yet.. but way things drying out round ere it's lookin good.

To be honest you would ave more luck if made ur chemical of choice! the OTC ingredients are easy to get hold of ere in UK..

[Solinari]

The Kaolin & Morphine, isn't it for diarrhea and in very low concentrations (i'm guessing the opium tincture is for coughing and equally low doses)? I think i saw The Bill (TV program) years ago when a junkie injected Kaolin & Morphine and died.

I think the maximum you can get per dose for the codeine is 10mg and dihydrocodiene is something like 8mg, and it will probably have other stuff in it like paracetamol (acetaminophen).

Still an interesting list, could you add the concentrations and other active ingredients?

[solartrinity]

codine linctus is no longer available. You used to have to sign a book when you could get it but now they have changed OTC codine linctus to pholcodine (excuse spelling) dunno if u can extract the codine, just starting out in chemistry.
You can buy phenylephrine hydrochloride in capsule form now, 12mg. handy

emma

[Pondlife]

Nurofen plus contains 12.5mg codeine per tablet with 200mg ibuprofen. Fairly easy to CWE as ibuprofen is virtually insoluble in water. Available in just about any chemist, and at supermarket pharmacies as well. You need to ask for it, as it's kept behind the counter.

[tinytom]

nice list but iirc epherdrine in going to be classed soon i will try and dig some info up.

[IggyD]

Swim's really sorry, but He discover after a short-time living in U.K.,that every shit's of

the world is bringed hereSwim are a really sure, that try to buy something here is waste of

time and money,it hurt..esspecially if You're a hard-worker and you end up with some shit

for Your money..It's no fair!!!Situation here in U.K. with drugs is really terrible.(simply

Swim has been on better place,where You can enjoy Your favorite substance without fear that

someone can see You,or with feeling that You don't know what are You take)It's better for Swim just to drink,the and he know that he support the

country and the money what He paid for e.g. bottle of wine is really going somewhere-Swim

think on better place like in some-poor-cutmaster-BIGbossDealer's neck.Swim was try to buy

something really,really many times, and on many different places.Swim diferenmeet many seweral people

and the difference between Stuff is really really poor.So swim now have make something like

standard and that's the only point why Swim don't like this country,and exacly the security

system all over the London.Everything checked,everywhere police and another sniff-lazy-

dog's...Everywhere CCTV,and similiar thing's.Swim really feel confused about what's going on

in U.K. And he are afraid that happening have may a negative progress in the future,but

that's another thing.(F***** FEAR EVERYWHERE AROUND!!)Swim was waiting more from U.K. when

he came ..Or are swim really wrong???Please,tell Swim Your's opinion's about just QUALITY OF DRUGS

in the U.K. esspecially Meth and weed in the Capital,Swim want to know what's think people who are born here

and live here all the life,just for sure,Thanks,all the best.

P.S: Methlab Building in progress...(that's mean:NOT ANYMORE SUPPORT THIEVES & POOR ,,CUTMASTERS"!!!)

(sorry for error's)

[AceOvArts]

here in the UK you can buy OTC medicene that contains small amounts of opiods that SWIY described. SWIM would therefore think it would be fine to import similar medicene for personal use. However SWIMs view is not corobarated buy any legal documents.