General Information

Heroin, synthesized from morphine and acetic anhydride, was invented in 1874 by C.R. Alder Wright, an English chemist. In 1898, Bayer began marketing heroin as a non-addictive morphine substitute. Heroin was also used for an wide array of ailments, including colds, coughs, diarrhea, and pain. The British Pharmaceutical Codex stated that heroin was just as addictive as morphine in 1911, and in 1913, Bayer stopped production of the so-called "wonder drug." Later, in 1924, the Heroin Act made the sale, manufacturing, and possession of heroin illegal in the United States.

Chemical Names. (1) diacetylmorphine and (2) (5a,6a)-7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy- 17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diol diacetate (ester).
Classification. Opioid.
Primary Uses. Analgesia.
Other Names. Junk, smack, H, skag, diesel, dope, black tar, Harry.

Law

In the United States, Heroin is a Schedule I substance, making it illegal. Schedule I substances, such as marijuana, GHB, and LSD, meet the following criteria according to the Controlled Substances Act:

1. The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
2. The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
3. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

In the United Kingdom, heroin is available by prescription. The drug has a split classification being both a Schedule II and Class A drug. Class A drugs have the highest penalties, while its classification as a Schedule II drug makes it available by prescription. It is approved for chronic/acute pain, myocardial infarction, and acute pulmonary edema. ^[1]

Side Effects ^[1]

Pain relief
Euphoria/dysphoria
Mood changes
Reduced anxiety
Sedation
Itching
Nausea/vomiting
Tachycardia
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Dry mouth
Constipation
Facial flushing
Vertigo

Withdrawal ^[2]

Withdrawal from heroin can occur in as little as a few hours to 24 hours after last administration, depending on frequency of use, dosage, as well as body chemistry. Acute withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours, and are generally gone within a week; however, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can affect the user for weeks or months afterward. Withdrawal is rarely fatal, and is largely dependent upon the user's health, whereas withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can easily result in death. Symptoms of withdrawal are listed below:

• Cravings
• Muscle/bone pain
• Restlessness
• Goose bumps
• Involuntary leg/arm movements
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Nausea/vomiting
• Depression

Sources

[1] DIAMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE: British National Formulary. British National Formulary. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and RPS Publishing. 2006. [link] Accessed: November 1, 2006. (Side Effects: See MORPHINE SALTS page on BNF.org)

[2] "NIDA InfoFacts: Heroin." National Institute on Drug Abuse. May 2006. [text] [pdf] Accessed: November 1, 2006