Meprodine is an

opioid Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, replacement therapy for opioid use ...

analgesic that is an analogue of

pethidine Pethidine, also known as meperidine and sold under the brand name Demerol among others, is a synthetic opioid pain medication of the phenylpiperidine class. Synthesized in 1938 as a potential anticholinergic agent by the German chemist Otto Eis ...

(meperidine). It is closely related to the drug

prodine Prodine (trade names Prisilidine and Nisentil) is an opioid analgesic that is an analog of pethidine (meperidine). It was developed in Germany in the late 1940s. There are two isomers of the trans form of prodine, alphaprodine and betaprodine ...

, the only difference being that meprodine has an ethyl group rather than a methyl at the 3-position of the

piperidine Piperidine is an organic compound with the molecular formula (CH2)5NH. This heterocyclic amine consists of a six-membered ring containing five methylene bridges (–CH2–) and one amine bridge (–NH–). It is a colorless liquid with an odor de ...

ring. As with prodine, there are two isomers of meprodine, alpha-meprodine and beta-meprodine, with the alpha isomer having been more widely used. Alphameprodine (ACSCN 9604) and betameprodine (ACSCN 9608) are both Schedule I Narcotic controlled substances in the United States, both with annual aggregate manufacturing quotas of 2 grammes as of 2014. Meprodine has similar effects to other opioids, and produces analgesia, sedation and euphoria. Side effects can include

itching Itch (also known as pruritus) is a Wikt:sensation, sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch. Itch has resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of Sensory system, sensory experience. Itch has many similarities to pain, ...

nausea Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the ...

and potentially serious respiratory depression which can be life-threatening.

Legal Status

Australia

Meprodine is considered a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia under the Poisons Standard (February 2017). A Schedule 9 substance is a substance which may be abused or misused, the manufacture, possession, sale or use of which should be prohibited by law except when required for medical or scientific research, or for analytical, teaching or training purposes with approval of Commonwealth and/or State or Territory Health Authorities.

References

Synthetic opioids Propionate esters 4-Phenylpiperidines Mu-opioid receptor agonists {{analgesic-stub