The Principal Alkaloids in Opium

Alkaloid---Chemical Class---Amount in Opium

Morphine---Phenanthrene---10%–15%
Noscapine---Benzylisoquinoline---4%–8%
Codeine---Phenanthrene---1%–3%
Papaverine---Benzylisoquinoline---1%–3%
Thebaine---Phenanthrene---1%–2%

Adapted from Moraes, Francis, and Debra Moraes. Opium. Oakland, Calif.: Ronin Publishing, 2003, p. 58