Laudanosine | |
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(1S)-1-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy- 2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline |
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Other names
N-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropapaverine |
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Identifiers | |
CAS number | 2688-77-9 |
PubChem | 73397 |
Properties | |
Molecular formula | C21H27NO4 |
Molar mass | 357.44 g mol−1 |
Melting point |
89 °C |
(verify) (what is: / ?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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Infobox references |
Laudanosine or N-methyltetrahydropapaverine is a recognized metabolite[1] of atracurium and cisatracurium. Laudanosine decreases the seizure threshold, and thus it can induce seizures if present at sufficient threshold concentrations; however such concentrations are unlikely to be produced consequent to chemodegradable metabolism of clinically administered doses of cisatracurium or atracurium.
Laudanosine also occurs naturally in minute amounts (0.1%) in opium, from which it was first isolated in 1871.[2] Partial dehydrogenation of laudanosine will lead to papaverine, the alkaloid found in the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).
Laudanosine is a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid. It has been shown to interact with GABA receptors, opioid receptors, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors,[1][3][4] but not benzodiazepinergic or muscarinic receptors which are also involved in epilepsy and other types of seizures.[5]