View Full Version : Cold water extraction of Codeiene cough syrup
I was wondering if the same basic principles of cold water extraction would hold true for Robitussin AC. SWIM has recently been prescribed a bottle of this, of which the contents are Codeine phosphate and guaifenisin. Will the guaifenisin form crystaline structures when chilled? SWIM's basic idea was to take the cough syrup, chill it in an ice bath for 5-10 minutes, and then pour the syrup through a coffee filter in order to separate the guaf, assuming it crystalizes. Would this work?
Forthesevenlakes
12-02-2007, 17:42
Guaifenisin is highly soluble in water, so SWIM doesn't think this would work. Most likely the drugs in there would lower the freezing point of the solution, but they'd stay in solution rather than crystallize out. Perhaps an A/B extraction would work, but SWIM is not sure. If codeine has similar chemical properties to dextromethorphan (and it might, SWIM isn't sure) then the agent lemon DXM extraction MIGHT work. SWIM has to leave right now and can't check on this, but its something to think about, and maybe a member more knowledgable in chemistry than SWIM could say whether or not this extraction would be a viable option.
methologist
22-02-2007, 00:30
swim would also really like info on removing the codeine from cough syrups containing guafenesin