Vedaclidine is a novel analgesic

Analgesic

An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....

 drug

Drug

A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...

 which acts as a mixed agonist-antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, being a potent and selective agonist

Agonist

An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...

 for the M₁

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1, also known as the cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 1, is a muscarinic receptor.This receptor is found mediating slow EPSP at the ganglion in the postganglionic nerve, is common in exocrine glands and in the CNS.It is predominantly found bound to G proteins...

 and M₄

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4, also known as the cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 4 , is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the CHRM4 gene.-Function:...

 subtypes, yet an antagonist at the M₂

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2, also known as the cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 2, is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.-Heart:...

, M₃

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3, also known as the cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 3, is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. It is encoded by the human gene CHRM3....

 and M₅

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M5

The human muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M5 which is encoded by the gene is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily of integral membrane proteins. Binding of the endogenous ligand acetylcholine to the M5 receptor triggers a number of cellular responses such as adenylate cyclase...

 subtypes. It is orally active and an effective analgesic over 3x the potency of morphine

Morphine

Morphine is a potent opiate analgesic medication and is considered to be the prototypical opioid. It was first isolated in 1804 by Friedrich Sertürner, first distributed by same in 1817, and first commercially sold by Merck in 1827, which at the time was a single small chemists' shop. It was more...

, with side effects such as salivation and tremor

Tremor

A tremor is an involuntary, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation involving to-and-fro movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the...

 only occurring at many times the effective analgesic dose. Human trials showed little potential for development of dependence or abuse, and research is continuing into possible clinical application in the treatment of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain results from lesions or diseases affecting the somatosensory system. It may be associated with abnormal sensations called dysesthesia, which occur spontaneously and allodynia that occurs in response to external stimuli. Neuropathic pain may have continuous and/or episodic ...

 and cancer pain

Cancer pain

Pain is a symptom frequently associated with cancer. Cancer can cause pain by irritating or damaging nerves, by stimulating nociceptors , or by releasing chemicals that make nociceptors respond to normally non-painful stimuli. Cancer pain may be caused by the tumor itself or by medical...

relief.