History of Opiates

Question 1

Early 3rd century B.C. — First record of opium use

Answer 1

1520 — Paracelsus introduces liquid form of opium called laudanum

Question 2

1680 — Thomas Sydenham popularizes use of a variation of Paracelsus’ formula

Answer 2

1803 — Friedrich W. A. Sertürner identifies morphine as the active ingredient in opium

Question 3

1839-1860 — Opium wars mandates opium importation in China and increases western trade

Answer 3

1800s — Opium readily available in patent medicines

Question 4

Heroin was first synthesized from morphine in 1874 and became widely used in medicine.

Answer 4

Heroin was first synthesized from morphine in 1874 and became widely used in medicine.

Question 5

1898 — Bayer Company introduces heroin

1960s-1970s — Heroin abuse reaches peak in the U.S.

mid-1990s — Principal supplier of heroin to the USA shifts from Asia to South America

mid-1990s — Popularity of heroin returns, at dosages that permit non-injection administrations

Answer 5

At that time, physicians were unaware of heroin’s potential for addiction. The first comprehensive control of heroin in the U.S. occurred with the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914.

Question 6

Heroin becomes made illegal

Answer 6

Medical use of opiates only