Synonyms: acetomorphine | diacetylmorphine | heroin
Compound class:
Synthetic organic
Comment: Diamorphine (heroin) is a morphine derivative. It acts as a potent opioid receptor agonist after deacetylation to 6-acetylmorphine and subsequently to morphine [2].
Internationally, heroin is a controlled narcotic drug. ![]() View more information in the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project: diamorphine |
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Immunopharmacology Comments |
Evidence gained from studying the immune responses of heroin addicts undergoing methadone maintenance treatment, suggest that methadone maintenance treatment/opioid-dependency may induce long-term systemic inflammation [1]. In this study patients receiving methadone therapy had significantly increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6 , IL-8 and TNF-α compared to controls. Another study indicates that heroin injecting drug users have a dysregulated humoral profile (compared to controls) which is suggestive of elevated systemic inflammation [3]. |