Who Invented Oxycodone?
German chemist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner invented oxycodone. In 1916, while working at Merck in Darmstadt, he synthesized it by chemically modifying thebaine, a natural opium alkaloid, creating 14-hydroxycodeinone (oxycodone's chemical name).[1][2]
Why Is Sertürner Credited?
Sertürner holds the key patent (German Patent No. 288,317) filed in 1915 and granted in 1917 for oxycodone production. He aimed to develop less addictive opioids with morphine-like pain relief. Earlier, he pioneered morphine isolation in 1804, establishing alkaloid chemistry.[1][3]
How Was Oxycodone Developed?
Sertürner used thebaine acetylation and hydrolysis to produce oxycodone, scaling it for commercial morphine alternatives during World War I shortages. Merck began limited production in 1917.[2][4]
When Did Oxycodone Reach the Market?
Merck launched it as Eukodal in Germany in 1917. It gained use for postoperative pain but saw limited adoption until the 1930s.[1][5]
Related Inventions by Sertürner
Sertürner also patented hydrocodone (1920) and dihydrocodeinone, expanding semi-synthetic opioids from opium poppies.[3]
Modern Patent Status
Original patents expired decades ago. Check DrugPatentWatch.com for current U.S. formulation patents on branded versions like OxyContin.[6]
Sources:
[1] Wikipedia: Oxycodone History
[2] PubChem: Oxycodone
[3] Britannica: Sertürner Biography
[4] Oxford History of Medicine: Oxycodone
[5] NCBI: Early Opioid Synthetics
[6] DrugPatentWatch.com: OxyContin Patents