Animal and molecular pharmacology of mixed agonist‐antagonist analgesic drugs.

Abstract

1 The pharmacology of analgesic drugs with mixed agonist‐antagonist action is reviewed in the light of the theory of drug action at single and multiple receptors. 2 Evidence for a heterogeneous population of opiate receptors in mammalian brain and in isolated tissue preparations is discussed. 3 The unusual pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles of the oripavine derivative buprenorphine are discussed in relation to the action of the drug at a molecular level. 1979 The British Pharmacological Society