Recent developments in Opiates
Recent developments in Opiates
M. Ikram
ABSTRACT
Opiates are potent substances derived from Opium, latex from the capsules of papa-ver somniferum, and these include principally Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine, Narcotine (Noscapine) and papaverine beside other minor alkaloids. The main alkaloids used medicinally are morphine, codeine, narcotine, to some extent papaverine and some derivatives of morphine like heroin, naloxone, levorphanol, levallorphan etc. Although thebaine is not used medicinally as such, it is used for the preparation of highly analgesic compounds called oripavines and also for preparing Etorphine, an analgesic used in veterinary medicine. The main source of these alkaloids is opium, but lately poppy straw is being used for this purpose. The total production of morphine from opium and poppy straw in 1957 was approximately seventy three tons of which twelve tons was obtained from straw. The production of opium increased to one hundred seventy tons in 1972 of which approximately sixty tons was obtained from straw. Poppy straw consists of dried capsule walls and stems. Table I1 gives the composition of opium from various sources.
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March 1978
Vol. 28, Iss. 1
