Part 51C: Jan Aushadhi MRP Reference

Antihistamines, Anticholinergics, Antidepressants

& Steroids

This article is part of the Substance Use Education India series. All prices are raw pack-level MRP (not per-unit) from the official PMBJP product list. Data verified May 2026.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance dependence, contact the National Drug De-Addiction Helpline: 14446

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🟠 Category 7: Antihistamines

Covered in Parts 34 (Promethazine), 35 (Diphenhydramine), 36 (Chlorpheniramine), and 37 (Hydroxyzine).

First-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier and produce significant sedation — which is both their therapeutic advantage (for allergies with insomnia) and their misuse liability. In India, many of these are available without prescription in cough/cold combination formulations, making them some of the most accessible sedatives in the country.

A. Promethazine (Part 34)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Promethazine Injection IP 25 mg/ml	2 ml	2.82	₹1.41/ml
Promethazine Tablets IP 25 mg	10’s	6.57	₹0.66/tab
Promethazine Syrup IP 5 mg/5 ml	100 ml	13.13	₹0.13/ml

One-Liner: Promethazine — the “Purple Drank” potentiator — costs ₹0.66 per tablet and ₹0.13 per ml as syrup. Its combination with codeine-containing cough syrups creates the “lean” cocktail that has killed multiple American rappers and is now trending in Indian metro nightlife.

B. Diphenhydramine (Part 35)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Caffeine 30 mg + Diphenhydramine 25 mg + Paracetamol 500 mg + Phenylephrine 5 mg Tablets	10’s	9.38	₹0.94/tab
Diphenhydramine 13-15 mg + Ammonium Chloride 135-150 mg + Sodium Citrate 57-85 mg + Menthol 0.9-2.6 mg Cough Syrup	100 ml	16.88	₹0.17/ml

One-Liner: Diphenhydramine cough syrup at ₹0.17/ml is one of the cheapest sedative liquids available in India. At doses of 300+ mg (roughly 200 ml), it produces terrifying deliriant hallucinations — shadow people, phantom conversations, and complete inability to distinguish reality from hallucination.

C. Chlorpheniramine (Part 36)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Paracetamol 500 mg + Phenylephrine 10 mg + CPM 2 mg Tablet	10’s	13.13	₹1.31/tab
Paracetamol 125 mg + CPM 1 mg + Na Citrate 60 mg Syrup	60 ml	16.88	₹0.28/ml
Phenylephrine 5 mg + CPM 2 mg Drops	15 ml	18.75	₹1.25/ml
Paracetamol 125 mg + Phenylephrine 2.5 mg + CPM 1 mg Drops	15 ml	18.75	₹1.25/ml
Paracetamol 325 mg + Phenylephrine 10 mg + CPM 2 mg Tablets	10’s	20.63	₹2.06/tab
Paracetamol 125 mg + Phenylephrine 5 mg + CPM 1 mg Suspension	60 ml	20.63	₹0.34/ml
Paracetamol 250 mg + Phenylephrine 5 mg + CPM 2 mg Suspension	60 ml	23.44	₹0.39/ml
Levodropropizine 30 mg + CPM 2 mg Syrup	120 ml	38.44	₹0.32/ml
Levocloperastine 20 mg + CPM 4 mg/5 ml Oral Suspension	100 ml	60.94	₹0.61/ml

One-Liner: Chlorpheniramine (CPM) has the most formulations (9 entries) of any antihistamine in the PMBJP catalogue — all in combination. It never appears as a solo product. At ₹0.28/ml in pediatric syrup form, it is a ubiquitous ingredient in Indian cold remedies that parents often don’t realize is sedating their children.

D. Hydroxyzine (Part 37)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Hydroxyzine HCl Tablets IP 10 mg	10’s	7.22	₹0.72/tab
Hydroxyzine Tablets IP 25 mg	15’s	11.25	₹0.75/tab
Hydroxyzine HCl Drops 6 mg/ml	15 ml	18.75	₹1.25/ml
Hydroxyzine HCl Syrup 10 mg/5 ml	100 ml	23.44	₹0.23/ml

One-Liner: Hydroxyzine — the anxiolytic antihistamine often prescribed as a “non-addictive” alternative to benzodiazepines — costs ₹0.72 per tablet for 10 mg. However, its QT prolongation risk means it can trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmias at high doses, especially when combined with other QT-prolonging drugs.

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⚪ Category 8: Anticholinergics

Covered in Parts 38 (Trihexyphenidyl) and 39 (Atropine).

A. Trihexyphenidyl (Part 38)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Trihexyphenidyl HCl Tablets IP 2 mg (Benzhexol)	10’s	6.19	₹0.62/tab
Risperidone 2 mg + Trihexyphenidyl 2 mg MDT	10’s	9.38	₹0.94/tab

One-Liner: Trihexyphenidyl — the “Parkane” deliriant misused for its intense anticholinergic hallucinations — costs ₹0.62 per tablet. In Indian psychiatric hospitals, it is routinely co-prescribed with antipsychotics to prevent extrapyramidal side effects, but patients frequently misuse it for its “trip” — vivid, terrifying hallucinations indistinguishable from reality.

B. Atropine (Part 39)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Atropine Sulphate Injection IP 0.6 mg/ml	1 ml	2.00	₹2.00/ml
Diphenoxylate 2.5 mg + Atropine 0.025 mg Tablet	10’s	5.63	₹0.56/tab

One-Liner: Atropine Injection at ₹2.00 per ampoule is the cheapest injectable in this entire three-part guide — and also one of the most critical emergency medicines in India, used to treat organophosphate poisoning (pesticide ingestion), which kills thousands of Indian farmers annually.

[!NOTE] The Diphenoxylate + Atropine Tablet (₹0.56/tab) is the classic anti-diarrheal “Lomotil” equivalent. The sub-therapeutic Atropine dose is included deliberately to cause unpleasant side effects if the opioid (Diphenoxylate) is taken in excess — a built-in abuse deterrent.

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🔵 Category 9: Antidepressants & Antipsychotics

Covered in Parts 41 (Amitriptyline), 42 (Quetiapine), and 43 (Bupropion).

A. Amitriptyline (Part 41)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Amitriptyline HCl Tablets IP 10 mg	10’s	6.19	₹0.62/tab
Amitriptyline HCl Tablets IP 25 mg	15’s	8.25	₹0.55/tab
Amitriptyline HCl Tablets IP 50 mg	10’s	14.07	₹1.41/tab
Amitriptyline HCl Tablets IP 75 mg	10’s	18.75	₹1.88/tab

One-Liner: Amitriptyline — the tricyclic antidepressant with the narrowest therapeutic index — costs as little as ₹0.55 per tablet for 25 mg. It is the most lethal antidepressant in overdose due to cardiac sodium channel blockade causing fatal arrhythmias. A single blister pack costing ₹8.25 contains enough to cause serious toxicity.

B. Quetiapine (Part 42)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Quetiapine Tablets IP 25 mg	10’s	10.32	₹1.03/tab
Quetiapine Tablets IP 50 mg	10’s	16.88	₹1.69/tab
Quetiapine Tablets IP 100 mg	10’s	34.04	₹3.40/tab
Quetiapine Fumarate Tablets IP 200 mg	10’s	60.94	₹6.09/tab
Quetiapine PR Tablets IP 300 mg	10’s	70.32	₹7.03/tab

One-Liner: Quetiapine — the “Seroquel” that is misused as a “knockout pill” — spans 5 strengths in the PMBJP catalogue from 25 mg to 300 mg PR. At ₹7.03/tab for the 300 mg PR, it is the second most expensive per-unit tablet in the entire MRP guide. Its metabolic side effects (weight gain, diabetes, dyslipidemia) make chronic misuse a slow metabolic disaster.

C. Bupropion (Part 43)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Bupropion PR Tablets IP 150 mg	10’s	42.19	₹4.22/tab

One-Liner: Bupropion 150 mg PR — the “Happy-Skinny- Seizure Pill” used for both depression and smoking cessation — costs ₹4.22/tablet at Jan Aushadhi vs ₹20–30 for branded Bupron SR. It is the only antidepressant that does not cause sexual dysfunction or weight gain, which drives its off-label misuse as a “lifestyle” drug.

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🟤 Category 10: Anabolic Steroids

Covered in Part 44 (Nandrolone).

Nandrolone (Part 44)

Full Name	Pack Size	MRP (₹)	Per-Unit
Nandrolone Decanoate Injection IP 25 mg/ml	1 ml	18.75	₹18.75/ml
Nandrolone Decanoate Injection IP 50 mg/ml	1 ml ampoule	28.13	₹28.13/ml
Nandrolone Decanoate Injection IP 50 mg/ml	2 ml	37.50	₹18.75/ml

One-Liner: Nandrolone Decanoate — the “Deca” steroid synonymous with Indian gym culture — costs ₹18.75 per 25 mg ampoule at Jan Aushadhi. For comparison, black market “Deca” from underground labs costs ₹500–2,000 per vial. The PMBJP availability is intended for legitimate medical uses (severe anemia, osteoporosis) but its dirt-cheap pricing makes diversion for bodybuilding inevitable.

[!CAUTION] Nandrolone is a Schedule H drug AND falls under WADA prohibited substances. Using it without a prescription for bodybuilding purposes is both illegal and medically dangerous — “Deca Dick” (erectile dysfunction lasting months after cessation) is the most common side effect reported in Indian gym communities.

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Grand Summary — All Three Parts

Complete Substance Count by Category

Category	Part	Substances	Formulations
Opioid Analgesics	51A	2	9
Benzodiazepines	51A	8	33
Z-Drugs	51A	1	2
Barbiturates	51A	1	2
Gabapentinoids	51B	2	21
Muscle Relaxants	51B	3	8
Stimulants/Dissociatives	51B	2	5
Antihistamines	51C	4	18
Anticholinergics	51C	2	4
Antidepressants/Antipsychotics	51C	3	10
Anabolic Steroids	51C	1	3
Grand Total	—	29	115

The 5 Cheapest Per-Unit Substances

Rank	Substance	Strength	Per-Unit Cost
1	Promethazine Syrup	5 mg/5 ml	₹0.13/ml
2	Diphenhydramine Syrup	13-15 mg/100 ml	₹0.17/ml
3	DXM Combination Syrup	10 mg/100 ml	₹0.23/ml
4	Alprazolam Tablet	0.25 mg	₹0.41/tab
5	Clonazepam Tablet	0.5 mg	₹0.52/tab

The 5 Most Expensive Per-Unit Substances

Rank	Substance	Strength	Per-Unit Cost
1	Nandrolone Injection	50 mg/ml	₹28.13/ml
2	Modafinil Tablet	200 mg	₹7.88/tab
3	Quetiapine PR Tablet	300 mg	₹7.03/tab
4	Tapentadol ER Tablet	100 mg	₹6.09/tab
5	Quetiapine Tablet	200 mg	₹6.09/tab

Key Takeaways

1. 115 formulations across 29 substances from our 50-part series are available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
2. Pregabalin leads with 12 formulations — more than any other substance.
3. Chlorpheniramine has 9 combination formulations but zero solo products.
4. The cheapest sedative in India is Promethazine Syrup at ₹0.13/ml — less than the cost of clean drinking water per ml.
5. 21 of 50 substances in our series are NOT available in PMBJP (Codeine, Morphine, Fentanyl, Buprenorphine, Methadone, Zopiclone, Eszopiclone, Pentobarbital, Carisoprodol, Methylphenidate, Pseudoephedrine, Sibutramine, Ketamine, Nitrous Oxide, Scopolamine, Testosterone, Stanozolol, Clenbuterol, Toluene, Poppers, Cannabis) — mostly because they are either NDPS-controlled, banned, or non-pharmaceutical substances.

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Emergency Resources

• National Drug De-addiction Helpline: 14446
• Poison Control Centre (AIIMS): 011-26593677
• NCB Portal: Report Illicit Trafficking

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Navigate the MRP Guide: ← Part 51A: Opioids, Benzos, Z-Drugs & Barbiturates | ← Part 51B: Gabapentinoids, Muscle Relaxants & Stimulants

Return to Series Index: Substance Use Education India

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Disclaimer: This article is for clinical and educational purposes only. All substances listed are prescription medications that must only be used under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. Prices sourced from the official PMBJP product list (May 2026).