Zipeprol is a centrally acting
cough suppressant
Cold medicines are a group of medicinal, medications taken individually or in Combination drug, combination as a Symptomatic treatment, treatment for the symptoms of the common cold and similar conditions of the upper respiratory tract. The t ...
developed in France in the 1970s. It is not a
morphinan
Morphinan is the prototype chemical structure of a large chemical class of psychoactive drugs, consisting of opiate analgesics, cough suppressants, and dissociative hallucinogens, among others.
Structure
Morphinan has a phenanthrene core stru ...
derivative (in contrast to
codeine
Codeine is an opiate and prodrug of morphine mainly used to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. It is also commonly used as a recreational drug. It is found naturally in the sap of the opium poppy, ''Papaver somniferum''. It is typically use ...
and
dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a medication most often used as a cough suppressant in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. It is sold in syrup, tablet, spray, and lozenge forms. In 2022, the FDA approved a formulation of it combined with bu ...
). Zipeprol acts as a local anaesthetic and has
mucolytic,
antihistamine
Antihistamines are drugs which treat allergic rhinitis, common cold, influenza, and other allergies. Typically, people take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic (not patented) drug that can be bought without a prescription and provides re ...
and
anticholinergic properties. It is sold with several brand names such as Zinolta and Respilene. It is not available in the United States or Canada and has been discontinued in Europe. It is still available in some countries in Asia and South America.
Zipeprol has been misused in Korea, mainly for the hallucinations it produces. Such use has become an issue due to the seizures and various neurological side effects it causes at high dosages.
References
Antitussives
Piperazines
Phenylethanolamine ethers
Secondary alcohols
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