Racemoramide
Racemoramide is a synthetic opioid analgesic drug that was first developed in the 1950s. It is a derivative of morphine, but is less potent and has a shorter duration of action. Despite its lower potency, racemoramide is still a powerful painkiller and is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
History[edit | edit source]
Racemoramide was first synthesized in the 1950s by the pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche. It was developed as part of a series of opioid analgesics, which also included levorphanol and dextromoramide. Despite its early promise, racemoramide has not been widely used in clinical practice due to its potential for addiction and overdose.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Racemoramide acts on the mu-opioid receptor, the same receptor targeted by other opioids like morphine and heroin. By binding to this receptor, racemoramide inhibits the transmission of pain signals in the central nervous system, providing analgesic effects.
Racemoramide is a racemic mixture, meaning it contains equal amounts of two enantiomers. These enantiomers, known as levoracemoramide and dextroracemoramide, have different pharmacological properties. Levoracemoramide is the more potent of the two, but both contribute to the overall analgesic effect of the drug.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Like other opioids, racemoramide can cause a range of side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and respiratory depression. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction, with withdrawal symptoms occurring if the drug is stopped abruptly.
Legal Status[edit | edit source]
Racemoramide is a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, where it is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only by prescription.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD