I used to quite like Diphenoxylate. I recall even when I shouldn't have been able to feel it, I would. I liken it to a long acting demerol with less of the demerol side effects. (less of the irritation and hallucinogenic effects of demerol).
Also very little sedation. But a definate euphoria. I used to note that it constricted my pupils to a great degree. In retrospect, something very bupe about it. More mu effects than bupe, but I think it's duration, especially in high doses, may be what triggers the comparison.
It takes awhile for the euphoria to build. I believe it's the main and active metabolite causing the euphoria. (don't recall the name, maybe difenoxic acid, or difenoxin or some similar.)
Sort of how ORLAMM had to build up to di-nor-lamm to really feel good.
I suspect it's analgesia was downplayed to keep it on the down-low, in C-V, and off the radar, so they could go ahead an market it as the Main go to drug to stop you up, before loperamide. If
it's analgesic effects were played up, and it was understood to be a full, strong mu-agonsit like the rest of em', then it wouldn't be such an easy to dispense drug. Time was, I could get it OTC easier than The codeine preparations. Time was, it was quite common to sign out.
Like I said I liked it, and don't agree with the 50mg= 100mg of pethidine.
From what I recall, 50mg, which I did take, and which I would be able to feel the atropine starting to have effect, would produce a very long lasting mu-agonist experience. 100mg of demerol wouldn't do much of anything at that point but even 15mg of lomotil would have me pinned.
My guesses as to the analgesia are just conjecture, but my memories of it's
experience are quite clear to me.. I had a fondness for this overlooked opiate.
I recall reading that it had a history of IV abuse, possibly abroad, and this is what lead
to the US formulation to add atropine.