What is the chemical name for heroin?

The chemical name for heroin is diacetyl morphine, which reflects its structural composition. Heroin is synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring alkaloid in opium poppy, through the addition of two acetyl groups. This modification enhances its lipid solubility, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier more quickly and produce a more intense euphoric effect than morphine.

Understanding its chemical name is essential for healthcare professionals, particularly in pain management, as it provides insight into its pharmacological properties and potential for addiction and misuse compared to other opioids. While the other options represent different opioid analgesics, they do not have the same chemical structure or effects as diacetyl morphine. Oxycodone and hydromorphone are distinct synthetic opioids with different chemical configurations and therapeutic applications, while fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid unrelated to heroin by chemical structure. Thus, recognizing heroin as diacetyl morphine is critical in contexts related to pharmacology and substance use disorders.