Dihydromorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine. dihydromorphine is a moderately strong analgesic and is used clinically in the treatment of pain and is also the active metabolite of dihydrocodeine. Dihydromorphine acts as an agonist at the μ-opioid (mu), δ-opioid (delta) and κ-opioid (kappa) receptors. Dihydromorphone is approved for clinical use in the United States, Europe, and Japan; and sold under the brand name Dilaudid. Similar to morphine, and other morphine derivatives, hydromorphone has a high potential for addiction and abuse and is listed as a Schedule II drug in the United States Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (and similarly regulated in other countries).