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Hydromorphone hydrochloride
Pronunciation
Definition 1
A drug used to treat moderate to severe pain. It may also be used to treat certain types of cough. Hydromorphone hydrochloride is made from morphine and binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. It is a type of opioid and a type of analgesic agent. Also called Dilaudid, Exalgo, and Hydrostat IR. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
The hydrochloride salt form of hydromorphone, the hydrogenated ketone of morphine, a semi-synthetic opioid with analgesic effects. Hydromorphone selectively binds the mu-opioid receptor which is linked through G-proteins. Binding stimulates the exchange of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) for guanosine diphosphate (GDP) on the G-protein complex and interacts with and inhibits adenylate cyclase located at the inner surface of the plasma membrane. This leads to a reduction in intracellular cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Further, voltage-gated potassium channels are activated, thereby causing hyperpolarization and reducing neuronal excitability. In addition, the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels is inhibited, thereby leading to an inhibition of calcium entry and a reduction in the release of various neurotransmitters, including GABA, vasopressin, somatostatin, insulin and glucagons. (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 3
An opioid analgesic made from MORPHINE and used mainly as an analgesic. It has a shorter duration of action than morphine. (NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
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