R-4066 (Spirodone) is a drug which is an derivative of the opioid analgesic norpipanone, where the piperidino group has been replaced by a piperidinospiro group. Developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica,[1] it is around 212× more potent than methadone as an analgesic in animal tests, with an effective oral dosage of 0.07 mg/kg, but is shorter acting, with a duration of action of around 3 hours. If the ketone function is reduced and acetylated, the racemate has a potency of 106× that of methadone and has an analgesic duration of 20.5 hours compared to 8 hours for methadone.[2]
R-4066 has not been researched 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.[medical citation needed]
References
- ^ U.S. patent 3,125,580
- ^ Frincke JM, Henderson GL (May 1978). "Synthesis and analgesic activity of some long-acting piperidinospiro derivatives of methadone". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 21 (5): 474–6. doi:10.1021/jm00203a014. PMID 660594.