Abstract

In single doses, normorphine caused less sedation, less depression of temperature, less respiratory depression and less pupillary constriction than did equal doses of morphine.

Administration of 9 to 10 mgm. of normorphine every six hours for seven doses caused less, but longer-lasting, pupillary constriction than did equal doses of morphine. Cumulation of the sedative effects of normorphine occurred in this experiment.

When substituted for morphine in addicted patients, normorphine completely suppressed the morphine abstinence syndrome. The intensity of abstinence observed after withdrawal of normorphine was far less than the intensity of abstinence from morphine.

Marked cumulation of sedative effects occurred during direct addiction to normorphine and prevented elevation of the dosage to the level which could easily have been attained with morphine. Partial tolerance to the sedative effects developed.

Nalorphine precipitated definite abstinence syndromes in patients addicted to normorphine.

Intensity of abstinence after withdrawal of normorphine was slow in onset and milder in degree than abstinence from morphine, methadone or codeine.

As compared with predrug control values, the urinary excretion of 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids was depressed during chronic administration of normorphine and elevated transiently after normorphine was discontinued.