Papaver Somniferum Resin

Papaver Somniferum Resin Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Papaver Somniferum Resin is the first substance of the diverse group of the opiates. It has been known for a long time, and the first evidence of a poppy culture dates from 5 thousand years by the Sumerians. During the years, opium was used as a sedative and hypnotic, but it was determined to be addictive.

Papaver Somniferum Resin is extracted from Papaver somniferum, which is more known as poppies. This plant is an integrant of the Papaveraceae family, and it is characterized by solitary leaves and capsulated fruits. Therefore, opium is a sticky brown resin obtained by collecting and drying the latex that exudes from the poppy pods.

Once extracted, opium contains two main groups of alkaloids; the psychoactive constituents which are in the category of phenanthrenes and alkaloids that have no central nervous system effect in the category of isoquinolines. Morphine is the most prevalent and principal alkaloid in opium, and it is responsible for most of the harmful effects of opium.

Trade Name Papaver Somniferum Resin
Availability Prescription only
Generic Opium
Opium Other Names Opio, Opium, Papaver somniferum exudate, Papaver somniferum resin
Related Drugs loperamide, Lomotil, Imodium, neomycin, Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate
Type
Protein binding

The protein binding of the alkaloids that form opium, such as morphine and codeine, can range from 20-60% depending on the specific alkaloid. The highest binding proteins for opium alkaloids are albumin and beta-globulin II.

Groups Approved, Illicit
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Papaver Somniferum Resin
Papaver Somniferum Resin

Uses

Papaver Somniferum Resin is a medication used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Papaver Somniferum Resin and its derivatives are the most commonly used medications for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Papaver Somniferum Resin and its alkaloid-derivatives can also be used as tranquilizers, antitussives and in the treatment of diarrhea. The direct use of opium is not common nowadays but the use of some of its derivatives such as morphine and codeine, as well as the use of a tincture of opium for severe diarrhea can be seen in medical practice.

Illegal use of opium has been registered to be for both recreational and medicinal purposes.

Papaver Somniferum Resin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Severe Diarrhea

How Papaver Somniferum Resin works

Papaver Somniferum Resin produces its effects by activating specific G protein-coupled receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. There are three major classes of opioid receptors being δ-opioid, κ-opioid and μ-opioid. Papaver Somniferum Resin will generate an agonist activity which will later open the potassium channels and prevent the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels. This activity causes a reduction in neuronal excitability and inhibits the release of pain neurotransmitters.

The addictive character of opium is related to the binding to the μ-opioid receptors, which will activate dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain and thus, enhance the dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. This mechanism involves the reward activity of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway.

Toxicity

Some toxicity concerns from the consumption of opium are the generation of addiction, physical dependence and tolerance to the effect. Studies regarding the opioid tolerance in the treatment of chronic pain have not been systematically investigated. There are also concerns about the opioid-driven modification of endocrine function, currently reported as lower testosterone levels, loss of libido, amenorrhea and infertility.

Food Interaction

  • Avoid alcohol. Concomitant use of opium with alcohol may cause additive CNS depressive effects.

Papaver Somniferum Resin Alcohol interaction

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID:

Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics.

Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

Volume of Distribution

Papaver Somniferum Resin presents a large volume of distribution that exceeds the total body water.

Elimination Route

After oral administration, opium bioavailability is poor. In the form of opioid tincture, the Cmax and AUC of opium are between 16-24 mg/ml and 3237-6727 ng/ml.h, respectively.

Half Life

The half-life of opium ranges between 3-10 hours.

Elimination Route

Papaver Somniferum Resin is a mixture of different alkaloids including morphine and codeine. After a single ingestion of opium preparations, codeine and morphine can be found excreted in urine. The presence of codeine and morphine in urine seems to be detectable 2-12 hours and 2-36 hours post administration, respectively. The urinary excretion of morphine and codeine seems to be longer as the dose of opium is increased. After multiple dosages of opium, the presence of codeine and morphine in urine could be detected even after 48 and 84 hours post administration, respectively. After ingestion of poppy seeds, it is possible to collect morphine and codeine in urine 3-25 hours and 3-22 hours after administration, respectively.

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