Scientists believe they have developed a vaccine that blocks fentanyl from entering the brain and stops users from getting high.
Studies show that when tested in rats, the vaccine “produced massive amounts” of anti-fentanyl antibodies that stick to the deadly and addictive synthetic opioids. Published in Journal Pharmaceutics.
This “prevented the drug from entering the brain and allowed it to exit the body through the kidneys.” Lead author Colin Heil said: of the Drug Discovery Laboratory at the University of Houston.
“Therefore, individuals feel less euphoric and can return to drinking,” predicted Heil, adding that “it could have a significant impact on a very serious problem that has plagued society for many years.” I predicted that there would be.
Fentanyl is 50 times more than heroinand can be lethal at doses as low as 2 milligrams (the size of two grains of rice).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLast year, more than 71,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses, nearly 195 per day.
Vaccine preclinical results ‘demonstrate neutralizing efficacy’ for fentanyl, ‘making it a potential therapeutic agent’ [overuse] and overdose in humans,” the study states.
Therese Kosten, another University of Texas professor who participated in the study, called it a potential “game changer.”
“Fentanyl use and overdose is a particular therapeutic challenge that is not adequately addressed by current pharmacotherapy,” said Kosten.
These treatments currently in use are short-lived and require multiple doses, Kosten said, but the vaccine could also effectively act as a “preventive agent,” the study said. rice field.
The team plans to begin manufacturing a clinical-grade vaccine and begin human trials in the coming months.
The researchers said the vaccine caused no adverse side effects in the rats in which it was used, and that positive fentanyl blockade results were obtained from low and safe doses.
They also “expect minimal side effects in clinical trials” because the key ingredients are already widely used and tested.
Also, the antibody proved to be specific for fentanyl. This means that “those who have been vaccinated can be treated for pain relief with other opioids.”
