Diacetyldihydromorphine

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Diacetyldihydromorphine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(5α,6α)-7,8-Dihydro-4,5-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diacetate
Identifiers
CAS number 509-71-7
ATC code  ?
PubChem 5359460
Chemical data
Formula C21H25NO5 
Mol. mass 371.427 g/mol
Synonyms Diacetyldihydromorphine, Paralaudin, Dihydroheroin
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

?

Legal status

Schedule I(US)

Routes Intravenous

Diacetyldihydromorphine (Paralaudin, Dihydroheroin) is a potent opiate derivative developed in Germany in 1929 which is rarely used in some countries for the treatment of strong pain such as that caused by terminal cancer, as a more potent form of diamorphine.

Diacetyldihydromorphine is both fast acting, and also more potent and longer lasting than diamorphine (heroin), with a duration of action of around 4-7 hours. [1] These properties however make it relatively dangerous with a considerable risk of overdose or life threatening respiratory depression, and when opioids of this strength are required it is more common to use better known drugs such as nicomorphine, oxymorphone or fentanyl which doctors will be more familiar with. Side effects are similar to those of other opiates and include itching, nausea and respiratory depression.


[edit] References

  1. ^ Gilbert AK, Hosztafi S, Mahurter L, Pasternak GW. Pharmacological characterization of dihydromorphine, 6-acetyldihydromorphine and dihydroheroin analgesia and their differentiation from morphine. European Journal of Pharmacology 2004 May 25;492(2-3):123-30.