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 severe pain such as that caused by terminal cancer, as a more potent form of diamorphine (Heroin). Paralaudin is fast acting and longer lasting than diamorphine (heroin), with a duration of action of around 4-7 hours.[1]

Diacetyldihydromorphine is quickly metabolised by plasma esterase enzymes into dihydromorphine, in the same way that diacetylmorphine (heroin) is metabolised into morphine; however unlike dihydromorphine, which is more potent than morphine on a mg to mg basis, diacetyldihydromorphine is actually less potent than diamorphine, perhaps because it is metabolised more slowly. Diacetyldihydromorphine is approximately equipotent to morphine whereas diamorphine is 1.50-1.80 times the potency of morphine.[2] It shares with other opioids the risk of overdose or (potentially life-threatening) respiratory depression. When strong narcotics are required, and morphine and dia-morphine (heroin) are not an option, it is more common to use better known drugs such as nicomorphine, hydromorphone, oxymorphone or fentanyl which doctors will be more familiar with, and which do not share the stigma associated with either heroin or morphine. Side effects are similar to those of other semi-synthetic opiates and fully synthetic opioids, and the most commonly reported side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. Compared to morphine, diacetyldihydromorphine produces far fewer side effects which are also often lower in intensity. Though the two drugs are very similar in effects, morphine often produces more intense side effects, including euphoria, constipation, miosis, physical dependence, psychological dependence, potentially life-threatening respiratory depression, and a severe addiction.


[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.
  2. ^ A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SUBJECTIVE EFFECTS OF HEROIN AND MORPHINE ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY IN POSTADDICTS - Martin and Fraser 133 (3): 388 - Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics