RESEARCHERS at the University of Houston in the USA have come up with what they are describing as a "fentanyl vaccine" which could have a big impact on the opioid epidemic.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid associated with increasing incidence of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose.
The discovery, published in the journal Pharmaceutics, may have a "significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years - opioid misuse," the authors said.
"Our vaccine is able to generate anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the consumed fentanyl and prevent it from entering the brain, allowing it to be eliminated out of the body via the kidneys.
"Thus the individual will not feel the euphoric effects and can 'get back on the wagon' to sobriety," said the report's lead author, Colin Haile.
The new vaccine has so far only been tested on rats, with a clinical-grade version under development and human trials planned soon.
The anti-fentanyl antibodies were specific to fentanyl, and did not cross-react with other opioids, meaning a vaccinated person would still be able to be treated for pain relief.
The vaccine was also a superior option compared to treatment of overdose with naloxone, because multiple doses of naloxone are often need to reverse fentanyl's fatal effects, the scientists noted.
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