The Sound of Evolution
Dezocine
Mechanism of action:
Dezocine is a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist analgesic and a benzomorphan derivative. In the central nervous system, it binds to μ-opioid receptors and produces partial agonist activity, resulting in analgesic and sedative-related effects. In addition, dezocine antagonizes κ-opioid receptors, making it relatively less likely to induce dysphoria or psychotomimetic reactions.
Reference(s):
1. Picker MJ et al. (1997). Discriminative stimulus effects of the mixed-opioid agonist/antagonist dezocine: cross-substitution by mu and delta opioid agonists. J Pharmacol Exp Ther.
2. Barrett AC et al. (2001). Importance of sex and relative efficacy at the mu opioid receptor in the development of tolerance and cross-tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of opioids. Psychopharmacology (Berl).