Talk:Methiodone
Methiodone is a synthetic opioid analgesic and structural analogue of methadone. It is primarily encountered as the iodide salt derivative and acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist, producing opioid-like effects such as analgesia, sedation, euphoria, and respiratory depression.[1]
Chemistry
Methiodone is chemically described as the iodide salt of a methadone analogue. Its chemical formula is C21H28INO.[2] The iodide salt improves water solubility compared to the methadone base. The compound belongs to the diphenylheptanone class of opioids, characterized by a seven-carbon backbone with two phenyl rings and a ketone group. Its chemical name according to patents is (±)-6-(dimethylamino)-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one iodide.[3]
Pharmacology
Methiodone is presumed to be a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist, similar to methadone.[4][5] The opioid receptor agonism produces typical opioid effects such as analgesia, sedation, euphoria, respiratory depression, and potential for dependence and addiction. No direct pharmacological or clinical studies on methiodone exist; all knowledge is inferred from its close chemical relation to methadone and other diphenylheptanone opioids.
Effects
Effects are predicted based on the opioid class and include:
- Analgesia (pain relief)
- Sedation and relaxation
- Euphoria
- Respiratory depression (dangerous at high doses)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- High potential for tolerance, dependence, and addiction
Dosage
There is no medically approved or documented dosage information. Any dosing is speculative and should be approached with extreme caution due to overdose risk.
Duration
Estimated duration is several hours, roughly comparable to methadone (typically 8–12 hours), but specific pharmacokinetic data is unavailable.[6]
History
Methiodone was first synthesized in the 1950s as part of research into opioid analgesics aiming to improve methadone derivatives.[7][8] It never gained medical approval or widespread use and remains mainly of chemical and patent interest.
Legal status
Methiodone is not explicitly scheduled in most countries but, due to its opioid nature, it may fall under analogue or controlled substance laws depending on jurisdiction.[9] Legal status should be checked locally.
Harm reduction and warnings
- Methiodone is a potent opioid with significant risk of respiratory depression and fatal overdose, especially without medical supervision.
- Combining methiodone with other central nervous system depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, other opioids) greatly increases overdose risk.
- There is no reliable dosing information or clinical guidance for methiodone use.
- Dependence, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms are expected with repeated use.
- Testing substances for purity and identity is recommended if obtained illicitly.
- Seek emergency medical help immediately if signs of overdose occur (slow breathing, unconsciousness).
- Use is strongly discouraged outside medical contexts.
References
- ↑ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methiodone
- ↑ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methiodone
- ↑ https://patents.google.com/patent/US2722457A/en
- ↑ Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Edition
- ↑ Trescot AM, et al. Opioid pharmacology. Pain Physician. 2008 Mar;11(2 Suppl):S133-53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18443633/
- ↑ Eap CB, et al. Clinical pharmacokinetics of methadone. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2002;41(14):1235-65. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12485646/
- ↑ https://patents.google.com/patent/US2722457A/en
- ↑ Reynolds, James A. The Chemistry of Opium Alkaloids. 1957.
- ↑ EMCDDA – European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction – NPS and analogue legislation reports
External links
- [PubChem entry for Methiodone](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methiodone)
- [US Patent US2722457A](https://patents.google.com/patent/US2722457A/en)
- [Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics](https://accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/book.aspx?bookid=2189) (textbook reference)