Acetyldihydrocodeine is an

opiate An opiate is an alkaloid substance derived from opium (or poppy straw). It differs from the similar term ''opioid'' in that the latter is used to designate all substances, both natural and synthetic, that bind to opioid receptors in the brain ( ...

derivative discovered in Germany in 1914 and was used as a cough suppressant and

analgesic An analgesic drug, also called simply an analgesic, antalgic, pain reliever, or painkiller, is any member of the group of drugs used for pain management. Analgesics are conceptually distinct from anesthetics, which temporarily reduce, and in s ...

. It is not commonly used, but has activity similar to other opiates. Acetyldihydrocodeine is a very close relative derivative of

thebacon Thebacon (INN; pronounced ), or dihydrocodeinone enol acetate, is a semisynthetic opioid that is similar to hydrocodone and is most commonly synthesised from thebaine. Thebacon was invented in Germany in 1924, four years after the first synthe ...

, where only the 6-7 bond is unsaturated. Acetyldihydrocodeine can be described as the 6-acetyl derivative of

dihydrocodeine Dihydrocodeine is a semi- synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed for pain or severe dyspnea, or as an antitussive, either alone or compounded with paracetamol (acetaminophen) (as in co-dydramol) or aspirin. It was developed in Germany in 190 ...

and is metabolised in the liver by demethylation and deacetylation to produce dihydromorphine. Since acetyldihydrocodeine has higher

lipophilicity Lipophilicity (from Greek λίπος "fat" and φίλος "friendly") is the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats, oils, lipids, and non-polar solvents such as hexane or toluene. Such compounds are called lipophilic (translated ...

than

codeine Codeine is an opiate and prodrug of morphine mainly used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug. It is found naturally in the sap of the opium poppy, ''Papaver somniferum''. It is typically use ...

and is converted into dihydromorphine rather than

morphine Morphine, formerly also called morphia, is an opiate that is found naturally in opium, a dark brown resin produced by drying the latex of opium poppies (''Papaver somniferum''). It is mainly used as an analgesic (pain medication). There are ...

, it can be expected to be more potent and longer-lasting. It also has a higher

bioavailability In pharmacology, bioavailability is a subcategory of absorption and is the fraction (%) of an administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation. By definition, when a medication is administered intravenously, its bioavailability is 100%. H ...

than codeine. Side effects are similar to those of other

opiates An opiate is an alkaloid substance derived from opium (or poppy straw). It differs from the similar term ''opioid'' in that the latter is used to designate all substances, both natural and synthetic, that bind to opioid receptors in the brain ( ...

and include

itching An itch (also known as pruritus) is a sensation that causes a strong desire or reflex to scratch. Itches have resisted many attempts to be classified as any one type of sensory experience. Itches have many similarities to pain, and while both ...

nausea Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. It can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the throat. Over 30 d ...

and

respiratory depression Hypoventilation (also known as respiratory depression) occurs when ventilation is inadequate (''hypo'' meaning "below") to perform needed respiratory gas exchange. By definition it causes an increased concentration of carbon dioxide (hypercapni ...

. Although an opioid of low to moderate strength and use in medicine elsewhere in the world, acetyldihydrocodeine is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. Its DEA Administrative Controlled Substances Control Number is 9051 and the one salt in use, acetyldihydrocodeine hydrochloride, has a freebase conversion ratio of 0.90.

References

Analgesics 4,5-Epoxymorphinans Catechol ethers Acetate esters Mu-opioid receptor agonists Semisynthetic opioids Cyclic ethers Heterocyclic compounds with 5 rings Methoxy compounds {{analgesic-stub