Noscapine

Noscapine

Basics

Noscapine is an active ingredient derived from the opium poppy. The natural component of opium has no analgesic or depressant properties and therefore has no addictive potential. It mainly has a cough-suppressing effect and is used for irritable coughs.

Since the effect is somewhat weaker than that of codeine, the drug can also be used in infants from six months of age (under a doctor's prescription).

Effect

Pharmacodynamics

The antitussive effects are due to an attack of the cough center in the brainstem. Activation of sigma opioid receptors induces cell division inhibitory effects. Because of this mechanism of action, noscapine is also a potential agent for tumor treatment.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetic properties are comparable to those of codeine. The drug is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, with only about 5-10% of the administered dose being converted to morphine in the liver. The remaining components are broken down to ineffective intermediates and excreted renally. After about three hours, the plasma concentration of the compound drops to half of the initial level.

Drug Interactions

Concurrent use of noscapine with sleeping pills, sedatives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, and alcohol is not recommended.

Toxicity

Side effects

Occasional side effects may include headache, dizziness, skin and hypersensitivity reactions, and nausea.

Toxicological data

LD50 (mouse, oral): 2784 mg/kg
LD50 (Hund, intravenös): 73 mg/kg

Chemical & physical properties

ATC Code R05DA07
Formula C22H23NO7
Molar Mass (g·mol−1) 413,4205
Physical State solid
Density (g·cm−3) 1,395
Melting Point (°C) 176
PKS Value 6,24
CAS Number 128-62-1
PUB Number 275196
Drugbank ID DB06174

Editorial principles

All information used for the content comes from verified sources (recognised institutions, experts, studies by renowned universities). We attach great importance to the qualification of the authors and the scientific background of the information. Thus, we ensure that our research is based on scientific findings.
Markus Falkenstätter, BSc

Markus Falkenstätter, BSc
Author

Markus Falkenstätter is a writer on pharmaceutical topics in Medikamio's medical editorial team. He is in the last semester of his pharmacy studies at the University of Vienna and loves scientific work in the field of natural sciences.

Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer

Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer
Lector

Stefanie Lehenauer has been a freelance writer for Medikamio since 2020 and studied pharmacy at the University of Vienna. She works as a pharmacist in Vienna and her passion is herbal medicines and their effects.

The content of this page is an automated and high-quality translation from DeepL. You can find the original content in German here.

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