Dihydroetorphine

Dihydroetorphine is a potent opioid that is used in veterinary medicine and is also used in China for the treatment of pain. It is a semi-synthetic opioid that was first synthesized in the United Kingdom by Bentley and Hardy in 1967. Dihydroetorphine is derived from thebaine, a naturally occurring opioid found in the opium poppy.

Pharmacology

Dihydroetorphine is a potent analgesic, approximately 1,000-3,000 times more potent than morphine. It acts primarily on the mu-opioid receptor, but also has effects on the delta-opioid receptor and kappa-opioid receptor. Dihydroetorphine has a rapid onset of action and a short duration of effect.

Medical uses

In China, dihydroetorphine is used for the treatment of severe pain, such as that associated with cancer. It is also used in veterinary medicine for the sedation and analgesia of large animals.

Side effects

The side effects of dihydroetorphine are similar to those of other opioids and include respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dependence.

Legal status

Dihydroetorphine is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. In China, it is a Schedule II controlled substance.

See also

• Opioid
• Thebaine
• Morphine

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