LEVALLORPHAN Meaning and
Definition
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Levallorphan is a synthetic opioid antagonist typically used as a medical treatment for opioid overdose. It belongs to the opioid family and acts as a competitive antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the body and blocks the effects of opioids.
As an opioid antagonist, levallorphan works by displacing opioids from the receptor sites in the brain, thereby reversing the effects of opioid drugs. It prevents or reverses the respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Levallorphan is not an analgesic and does not produce any opioid-like effects.
In terms of its pharmacological properties, levallorphan exhibits a high affinity for the mu and kappa opioid receptors. By occupying these receptors, it can counteract the effects of both natural and synthetic opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and fentanyl.
Levallorphan is primarily used in emergency medical settings, such as hospitals or ambulance services, where it is administered via injection. It is often combined with other medications, such as naloxone, to provide more effective treatment for opioid overdose. However, it is important to note that levallorphan should only be administered by healthcare professionals trained in its use, as incorrect use or dosage can lead to serious side effects or complications.
Common Misspellings for LEVALLORPHAN
- kevallorphan
- pevallorphan
- oevallorphan
- lwvallorphan
- lsvallorphan
- ldvallorphan
- lrvallorphan
- l4vallorphan
- l3vallorphan
- lecallorphan
- leballorphan
- legallorphan
- lefallorphan
- levzllorphan
- levsllorphan
- levwllorphan
- levqllorphan
- levaklorphan
- levaplorphan
Etymology of LEVALLORPHAN
The word "levallorphan" has its etymology rooted in the combination of two elements: "lev-" and "-allorphan".
The prefix "lev-" is derived from the chemical compound structure of the drug. It indicates the levorotatory form or enantiomer of the drug. "Levo-" or "lev-" is commonly used in pharmacology to specify the specific enantiomer of a drug, which has a mirror-image structure to its dextrorotatory form. The name is derived from the Latin word "lævus", meaning "left" or "left-handed".
The suffix "-allorphan" refers to a class of drugs called opioid receptor antagonists. The term "allorphan" is derived from combining "al-" meaning "other" or "different" and "morphine", referring to the opioid compound.
