6β-Naltrexol-d4

6β-Naltrexol-d4 is a deuterated drug and an active metabolite of the opioid antagonist Naltrexone. It is primarily used in scientific research as a reference standard in mass spectrometry studies due to its deuterated form.

Chemistry

6β-Naltrexol-d4 is a deuterated form of 6β-Naltrexol, meaning it has been chemically modified to replace certain hydrogen atoms with deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen. This modification does not significantly alter the pharmacological properties of the drug, but it does change its physical and chemical properties, such as its mass and NMR spectrum, which makes it useful as a reference standard in mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques.

Pharmacology

As an active metabolite of Naltrexone, 6β-Naltrexol-d4 shares its parent drug's opioid antagonist properties. It binds to the mu-opioid receptor and prevents it from being activated by endogenous opioids or opioid drugs. This can help to prevent the euphoria and physical dependence that can be caused by opioid drugs.

Use in Research

6β-Naltrexol-d4 is primarily used in scientific research, particularly in studies involving mass spectrometry. Its deuterated form makes it an ideal reference standard, as it can be easily distinguished from non-deuterated compounds. This allows researchers to accurately measure the concentration of 6β-Naltrexol and other compounds in a sample.

Safety and Regulation

Like all deuterated drugs, 6β-Naltrexol-d4 is subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and similar regulatory bodies in other countries. It is generally considered safe for use in research, but it is not approved for use in humans or animals.

See Also

• Naltrexone
• Deuterated drug
• Mass spectrometry
• Mu-opioid receptor