Methorphan
Encyclopedia
Methorphan comes in two isomeric forms, each with differing pharmacology
and effect
s:
Racemethorphan refers to the racemic mixture of both of these stereoisomers.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
and effect
Therapeutic effect
A therapeutic effect is a consequence of a medical treatment of any kind, the results of which are judged to be desirable and beneficial. This is true whether the result was expected, unexpected, or even an unintended consequence of the treatment...
s:
- DextromethorphanDextromethorphanDextromethorphan is an antitussive drug. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, such as Robitussin, NyQuil, Dimetapp, Vicks, Coricidin, Delsym, and others, including generic labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging...
- An over-the-counterOver-the-counter drugOver-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
cough suppressant, as well as dissociativeDissociative drugDissociatives are a class of psychoactive drugs which are said to reduce or block signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain...
hallucinogen. - LevomethorphanLevomethorphanLevomethorphan is the l-stereoisomer of methorphan. The effects of the two isomers are quite different. Dextromethorphan is an antitussive at low doses and a dissociative at much higher doses, whereas levomethorphan is an opioid analgesic...
- A potent opioidOpioidAn opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...
analgesicAnalgesicAn analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
that was never clinicClinicA clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
ally developedDrug developmentDrug development is a blanket term used to define the process of bringing a new drug to the market once a lead compound has been identified through the process of drug discovery...
.
Racemethorphan refers to the racemic mixture of both of these stereoisomers.