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A semisynthetic opioid, the 3,6-diacetyl ester of morphine (diacetylmorphine, heroin). A very effective, but highly addictive, analgesic. Taken orally it is a prodrug for morphine; when injected it crosses the blood–brain barrier more readily than morphine itself. Binds to μ-opioid receptors.
Subjects: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
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