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Nicomorphine

Nicomorphine molecule structureNicomorphine molecule structure
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class
Morphinan

Nicomorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid agonist of the morphine family, classified as both an opioid and a depressant. It is estimated to be two to three times more potent than morphine and is characterized by a notably rapid onset of effects, attributed to its increased lipid solubility. Nicomorphine sees limited medical use in a small number of countries. As with other opioids, it carries significant habit-forming potential.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~2.5 mg
Light2.5-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10-20 mg
Heavy20+ mg

Duration

After Effects1-6 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Reported effects are consistent with other opioids, with analgesia that is described as addressing the broader experience of suffering rather than only dulling the pain signal itself. When administered intravenously, the rapid central nervous system penetration of the 3,6-diester structure produces a faster and more sudden onset than morphine; by other routes it is reportedly indistinguishable from morphine in character. The side effect profile differs somewhat from morphine, notably in producing less nausea.

Physical

Itching, nausea, and respiratory depression are documented physical effects, though nausea occurs less frequently than with morphine.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Nicomorphine is a 3,6-dinicotinate ester of morphine that acts as a strong opioid agonist with analgesic potency approximately two to three times that of morphine. Its diester structure provides increased lipid solubility, enabling rapid and complete central nervous system penetration.

Pharmacokinetics

Nicomorphine is rapidly metabolized into morphine and the intermediate active metabolite 6-nicotinoylmorphine, with metabolic pathways varying by route of administration. Following intravenous administration, the parent compound has a half-life of approximately 3 minutes, with 6-nicotinoylmorphine persisting for 3 to 15 minutes before further conversion to morphine (half-life 135 to 190 minutes). Via the rectal route, the metabolic pathway differs: nicomorphine converts directly to morphine without detectable 6-nicotinoylmorphine, with morphine appearing within 8 minutes and subsequently undergoing glucuronidation to morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide. Rectal bioavailability of morphine and its active metabolites reaches 88%. Epidural administration results in substantially slower release, with nicomorphine remaining detectable for approximately 1.5 hours.

Interactions

Interactions not written up yet

An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.

Check TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Cross Tolerance

Opioids

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Classified as habit-forming in drug factsheets.

Toxicity

Respiratory

Respiratory depression can occur, consistent with other opioids.

History & Culture

Nicomorphine was first synthesized in 1904. Over fifty years later, the compound was patented under the trade name Vilan by the Austrian pharmaceutical company Lannacher Heilmittel G.m.b.H. in 1957. That same year, Pongratz and Zirm published the synthesis methodology in the journal Monatshefte für

Legality

International

Regulated similarly to morphine worldwide

By Country

Illegal1
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal

References

Citations

  1. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 1308—Schedules of Controlled Substances, § 1308.11(c)(20) (2026-09-01 edition). ecfr.gov (n.d.). https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-01/title-21.xml?part=13081
  2. 21 U.S.C. § 812—Schedules of controlled substances. uscode.house.gov (n.d.). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section812&num=0&edition=prelim1
  3. DEA Diversion Control Division, Controlled Substances—Alphabetical Order (27-Aug-26). deadiversion.usdoj.gov (n.d.). https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/c_cs_alpha.pdf1
  4. 21 U.S.C. § 801—Controlled Substances Act effective-date note. uscode.house.gov (n.d.). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section801&num=0&edition=prelim1
  5. 21 U.S.C. § 841—Prohibited acts A. uscode.house.gov (n.d.). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section841&num=0&edition=prelim1
  6. 21 U.S.C. § 844—Penalties for simple possession. uscode.house.gov (n.d.). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section844&num=0&edition=prelim1
  7. 21 U.S.C. § 952—Importation of controlled substances. uscode.house.gov (n.d.). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section952&num=0&edition=prelim1
  8. Federal Register API search for documents affecting 21 C.F.R. part 1308 published on or after 2026-09-02. federalregister.gov (n.d.). https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents.json?conditions%5Bcfr%5D%5Btitle%5D=21&conditions%5Bcfr%5D%5Bpart%5D=1308&conditions%5Bpublication_date%5D%5Bgte%5D=2026-09-02&per_page=1001

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

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    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes7 human edits · latest

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24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  7. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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