Laudanum

Laudanum, or tincture of opium, is an alcoholic preparation in which opium is dissolved in ethanol and water. In traditional formulations the tincture contained about 10% opium by weight, yielding a mixture rich in opium alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine, with the exact content varying by the source of opium and the method of preparation.

Historically, laudanum was widely used as a pain reliever, cough suppressant, and treatment for diarrhea and dysentery. It was commonly prescribed in the 18th and 19th centuries and also appeared in many patent medicines. The preparation could produce both analgesia and sedation but carried a high risk of dependence, tolerance, and overdose.

With growing concerns about opioid safety, laudanum fell out of favor in many countries in the 20th century. It is now a controlled substance in many places, and pure tinctures are rarely used in routine medicine; standardized morphine preparations and other opioid analgesics have largely replaced it. In palliative care and certain specialized settings, opium tincture can still be used under strict medical supervision.

Safety: misuse can lead to respiratory depression, drowsiness, constipation, pinpoint pupils, and, in overdose, coma. Dependence and withdrawal can occur with chronic use. As with other opioids, management requires medical treatment, supportive care, and withdrawal planning.