Two new vaccines have been developed to relieve cocaine and methamphetamine addiction also minimize withdrawal symptoms, researchers say. The vaccines cause the body to produce antibodies which attack the drugs in the blood stream, preventing them from reaching the brain and therefore blocking the pleasurable effect of the drugs.
Unlike most vaccines that prevent diseases from occurring, these vaccines are for those who are already dependent upon drugs.
"These are therapeutic, not preventative, vaccines," said lead investigator Dr. Thomas Kosten, in a news release. "They are meant for those who are already suffering from drug addiction."
Slow Withdrawal Process
"The vaccine slowly decreases the amount of cocaine that reaches the brain," Kosten said. "It's a slow process, and patients do not go through any significant withdrawal symptoms."
TA-CD, the cocaine vaccine, is given to patients through a series of injections over a three-month period. The effects of the vaccine begin to show up after about a month, Kosten said.
In clinical trials, the vaccines have been shown to help overcome drug addiction, they do not necessarily curb relapse, he said.
More Testing Needed
"This is not a stand-alone treatment," Kosten said. "There is a reason drugs were used in the first place, and that needs to be dealt with either through counseling or behavioral therapies."
The cocaine vaccine has one more large scale human study scheduled before it will be ready for the FDA approval process. Kosten's findings were presented at the annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence in Quebec City, Canada.
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It’s so great if this would work. Hopely they will aprove it, if it does a greater job then all the other drugs that the drug addicts need to take.
economic lapse growing business
All we need is another drug for drug addicts-more money for big Pharma Duhhhhhhh!A new excuse for addicts ! Go to meeting and work the steps forget the quick fixes,don’t be a sheep to big Pharma !