Nicomorphine
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.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
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.
Uncomfortable
Reagent Testing
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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.
Tolerance
Opioids
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Classified as habit-forming in drug factsheets.
Toxicity
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
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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