is a white crystalline alkaloid opiate, prepared from morphine by acetylation?.
It was invented in 1895 by [Heinrich Dreser]?, working for the [Bayer Company]? of [Elberfeld, Germany]?, developed as a drug without the common morphine side effects. Bayer promptly began production of diacetylmorphine under the trademark "heroin" and selled it as caugh medicine.
As a medicine, heroin is administered usually in the form of its hydrochloride? as a hypnotic and analgesic.
It is also illictly used as a powerful and addictive drug producing intense euphoric? sensations. It is highly addictive.
Methadone? is another drug often used to substitute for heroin in treatment for heroin addiction.
See also Recreational drug use
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