1-(4-Nitrophenylethyl)piperidylidene-2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamide
Encyclopedia
1-piperidylidene-2-(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamide (W-18) is a potent μ-opioid
agonist with a distinctive chemical structure which is not closely related to other established families of opioid drugs. It was invented by the chemists Edward Knaus, Brent Warran and Theodore Ondrus in 1981.
This compound was found to be around 10,000x more potent than morphine
in animal studies, however due to its structural differences from other opioid drugs it would be difficult to represent as being "substantially similar in chemical structure
" to any controlled drugs. This makes it likely that it would be legal throughout the world.
It has never been used in humans, but would be expected to produce effects similar to those of other potent opioid agonists, including strong analgesia, sedation
, euphoria
, constipation
, itching and respiratory depression which could be harmful or fatal. Tolerance and dependence
would be expected to develop rapidly based on the potency of the drug, as it is of a similar strength to carfentanil
and so would most likely cause pronounced tachyphylaxis
following repeated dosing, as is seen with the potent fentanyl analogues.
Mu Opioid receptor
The μ-opioid receptors are a class of opioid receptors with high affinity for enkephalins and beta-endorphin but low affinity for dynorphins. They are also referred to as μ opioid peptide receptors. The prototypical μ receptor agonist is the opium alkaloid morphine; μ refers to morphine...
agonist with a distinctive chemical structure which is not closely related to other established families of opioid drugs. It was invented by the chemists Edward Knaus, Brent Warran and Theodore Ondrus in 1981.
This compound was found to be around 10,000x more potent than morphine
Morphine
Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic medication and is considered to be the prototypical opioid. It was first isolated in 1804 by Friedrich Sertürner, first distributed by same in 1817, and first commercially sold by Merck in 1827, which at the time was a single small chemists' shop. It was more...
in animal studies, however due to its structural differences from other opioid drugs it would be difficult to represent as being "substantially similar in chemical structure
Federal Analog Act
The Federal Analog Act, , is a controversial section of the United States Controlled Substances Act which allowed any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were also listed in those schedules, but only if intended for human...
" to any controlled drugs. This makes it likely that it would be legal throughout the world.
It has never been used in humans, but would be expected to produce effects similar to those of other potent opioid agonists, including strong analgesia, sedation
Sedation
Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure...
, euphoria
Euphoria (emotion)
Euphoria is medically recognized as a mental and emotional condition in which a person experiences intense feelings of well-being, elation, happiness, ecstasy, excitement and joy...
, constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
, itching and respiratory depression which could be harmful or fatal. Tolerance and dependence
Physical dependence
Physical dependence refers to a state resulting from chronic use of a drug that has produced tolerance and where negative physical symptoms of withdrawal result from abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction...
would be expected to develop rapidly based on the potency of the drug, as it is of a similar strength to carfentanil
Carfentanil
Carfentanil or carfentanyl is an analogue of the popular synthetic opioid analgesic fentanyl, and is one of the most potent opioids known . Carfentanil was first synthesized in 1974 by a team of chemists at Janssen Pharmaceutica which included Paul Janssen...
and so would most likely cause pronounced tachyphylaxis
Tachyphylaxis
Tachyphylaxis is a medical term describing a decrease in the response to a drug due to previous exposure to that drug. Increasing the dose of the drug may be able to restore the original response. In this context tachyphylaxis is a synonym for drug tolerance...
following repeated dosing, as is seen with the potent fentanyl analogues.