Clinical data | |
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Other names | (5α)-3-Methoxy-4,5-epoxymorphinan-6-one |
Dependence liability | High |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C17H19NO3 |
Molar mass | 285.343 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Norhydrocodone is the major metabolite of the opioid analgesic hydrocodone.[1] It is formed from hydrocodone in the liver via N-demethylation predominantly by CYP3A4.[1] Unlike hydromorphone, a minor metabolite of hydrocodone, norhydrocodone is described as inactive.[2] However, norhydrocodone is actually an agonist of the μ-opioid receptor with similar potency to hydrocodone, but has been found to produce only minimal analgesia when administered peripherally to animals.[3] This is likely due to poor blood-brain-barrier and thus central nervous system penetration.[3]