University of Houston researchers have developed a vaccine that may be an effective protection against opioid fentanyl addiction, according to Interesting Engineering.
How Does it Work?
The vaccine can block the ability of the drug to enter the brain; therefore, this will eliminate its powerful and seductive high. It is known that fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and a hundred times stronger than morphine. In fact, fentanyl is the cause of deaths of over 150 people every day.
The vaccine can produce anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the fentanyl consumed by an individual to prevent it from entering the brain. Thus, this will let the body eliminate it through the kidneys. As a result, the individual won't feel any high and can return to sobriety.
So far, the efficiency of the study has been successful on rats. The researchers also found that the vaccine did not have any adverse effects. Now, the team is planning to conduct clinical trials in humans to see if the vaccine is as effective as it is in rats.
The anti-fentanyl antibodies were made specifically for fentanyl, so a fentanyl derivative will not cross-reach with other opioids, like morphine. With this, a vaccinated person can still get pain relief with other opioids.
The vaccine has an adjuvant from the bacteria E. Coli that speeds up the immune system's response to vaccines.
Also read: Fentanyl Overdose: Symptoms And Treatment Of Drug Abuse
How Effective are the Treatments
Currently, the available treatments for opioid use disorder are not always proven to be effective. With this new vaccine, it could be a game-changer should it be proven effective. There are currently two types of treatments for opioid use disorder: medications and therapy.
Medications include methadone and buprenorphine. Both of these are opioid-replacement medications. Thus, methadone mimics the function of the drug, but it does not have the same high effects. On the other hand, buprenorphine's effects are like those of fentanyl, but it is much milder and more long-lasting.
Therapy, on the other hand, focuses on the behavioral aspect of recovery and understanding the root of the problem. In therapy, the individual undergoes counseling with a trained specialist to learn the reasons why they resorted to substance abuse in the first place.
(Photo : by JONAS ROOSENS/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images))
This photograph shows a close-up of the applicator developed by Idevax, a Belgian startup that developed a more efficient vaccine injection technique, in Antwerp, on September 23, 2022. - The Belgian start-up Idevax has developed a vaccination syringe that should make the administration of vaccines more efficient.
Safety Concerns
Just like with any other vaccine, the anti-fentanyl vaccine still has some safety concerns to consider. However, safety is the topmost priority of vaccines. Thus, the researchers are aware of these safety concerns and are preparing for them. They will have to have a way to prevent overdoses in case the vaccine is given to a fentanyl user. In addition, they will have to have to look into the vaccine's effect on pregnant women and its effect on fetuses.
The vaccine has great potential and may be a safe and effective treatment for opioid addiction. Thus, the team is continuing their research and planning to try it on humans soon.
Related article: Fentanyl Surpasses Heroin As Deadliest Drug In The US
Written by April Fowell
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