Etorphine in man. I. Subjective effects and suppression of morphine abstinence

The effects of etorphine, a potent morphine‐like drug, were qualitatively and quantitatively compared to those of morphine. In nondependent subjects, etorphine in doses of 0.025, a .050, and 0.100 mg produced pupillary constriction and morphine‐like subjective effects and euphoria. Etorphine was 500 times as potent as morphine, with a very rapid onset and short duration of action. In morphine‐dependent subjects, etorphine suppressed abstinence but for a shorter period than morphine. These studies indicate that in man etorphine is a morphine‐like drug with a high abuse potential.