Malagent’s Migraine Journal

Thebaine (paramorphine) is an opiate alkaloid. A minor constituent of opium, thebaine is chemically similar to both morphine and codeine, but has stimulatory rather than depressant effects, causing strychnine-like convulsions at higher doses[3]. Thebaine is not used therapeutically, but can be converted industrially into a variety of compounds including oxycodone, oxymorphone, nalbuphine, naloxone, naltrexone, buprenorphine and etorphine.

It is controlled in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act as well as under international law. Thebaine is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the United Kingdom.

Thebaine
IUPAC name	6,7,8,14-tetradehydro-4,5a-epoxy- 3,6-dimethoxy-17-methylmorphinan
Other names	Paramorphine
Identifiers
CAS number	115-37-7
PubChem	5321926
KEGG	C06173
MeSH	Thebaine
ChEBI	9519
SMILES	CN1CCC23C4C(=CC=C2C1CC5=C3C(=C(C=C5)OC)O4)OC
Properties
Molecular formula	C19H21NO3
Molar mass	311.37 g mol-1
Pharmacology
Metabolism	O-demethylation via CYP450 2D6[1]
Legal status	Class A(UK) Schedule II(US)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

References

1. Mikus G, Somogyi AA, Bochner F, Eichelbaum M. “Thebaine O-demethylation to oripavine: genetic differences between two rat strains.” Xenobiotica. 1991 Nov; 21(11):1501-9. PMID 1763524
2. WHO Advisory Group. “The dependence potential of thebaine.” Bulletin on Narcotics. 1980; 32(1):45–54. Accessed October 5, 2007. PMID 6778542
3. Aceto MD, Harris LS, Abood ME, Rice KC. “Stereoselective mu- and delta-opioid receptor-related antinociception and binding with (+)-thebaine.” European Journal of Pharmacology. 1999 Jan 22;365(2-3):143-7. PMID 9988096