Aporphine

/ˈæpərfiːn/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound derived from morphine by removing water, used medically to induce vomiting and treat certain neurological conditions.

Etymology

Created in 1869 through dehydration of morphine; 'apo-' (away) + 'morphine.' Also spelled 'apomorphine,' this synthetic derivative became important in early neurology and toxicology.

Kelly Says

Apomorphine was one of the first synthetic drugs created by chemically modifying a natural alkaloid, and doctors used it for over a century as a powerful way to make patients vomit—until they realized it also helped with Parkinson's disease symptoms.

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