AT-121 is an experimental
analgesic
An analgesic drug, also called simply an analgesic (American English), analgaesic (British English), pain reliever, or painkiller, is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve relief from pain (that is, analgesia or pain management). It ...
. It was designed to be bifunctional, acting as an
agonist
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ago ...
at both the
μ-opioid receptor
The μ-opioid receptors (MOR) are a class of opioid receptors with a high affinity for enkephalins and beta-endorphin, but a low affinity for dynorphins. They are also referred to as μ(''mu'')-opioid peptide (MOP) receptors. The prototypical Π...
and the
nociceptin receptor.
The interaction with the nociceptin receptor is expected to block the abuse and dependence-related side effects that are typical of opioids. A study in nonhuman primates found that AT-121 has morphine-like analgesic effects, but suppressed the addictive effects.
See also
* AT-076
* Cebranopadol
Cebranopadol (developmental code GRT-6005) is an opioid analgesic of the benzenoid class which is currently under development internationally by Grünenthal, a Germany, German pharmaceutical company, and its partner Depomed, a pharmaceutical comp ...
* Oliceridine
* PZM21
PZM21 is an experimental opioid analgesic drug that is being researched for the treatment of pain.
It is claimed to be a functionally selective μ-opioid receptor agonist which produces μ-opioid receptor mediated G protein signaling, with potenc ...
References
Mu-opioid receptor agonists
Nociceptin receptor agonists
Sulfamides
4-Phenylpiperidines
Experimental drugs
Tetrahydroisoquinolines
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