morphinans and Bronchitis

Butorphanol (levo-N-cyclobutylmethyl-3, 14-dihydroxy morphinan), a potent analgetic agent of the narcotic antagonist type with a low abuse potential in laboratory animals, was evaluated for antitussive activity in unanesthetized guinea-pigs and dogs. Subcutaneously, it was over 100 times more active than codeine, dextromethorphan and dl-pentazocine and about 20 times more active than morphine in the guinea-pig, while in the dog it was 100, 10 and 4 times more active than codeine, dl-pentazocine and morphine, respectively. Orally, butorphanol was 15-20 times more active than either codeine or dextromethrophan in both species. Naloxone reversed the antitussive effects of butorphanol, codeine, morphine and dl-pentazocine while those of dextromethorphan were not antagonized. The antitussive effect of butorphanol and morphine lasted about 4 hr and both compounds were longer acting than codeine. Butorphanol was also shown to be as effective against cough of pathological origin as against experimentally induced cough in the dog.

Topics: Animals; Antitussive Agents; Bronchitis; Cough; Cyclobutanes; Dogs; Electric Stimulation; Guinea Pigs; Male; Morphinans; Naloxone; Time Factors; Tracheitis

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aging; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Cough; Drug Combinations; Humans; Laryngitis; Morphinans; Pentylenetetrazole; Pharyngitis; Respiratory Insufficiency