NEWS: A new vaccine could stop the opioid crisis
In 2020, nearly 92,000 Americans will have died of a drug overdose. About 75% of those cases involved opioids–specifically, a synthetic opioid called fentanyl.
Fentanyl has been proven to be 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times more powerful than morphine. Even small doses are deadly. The lethal dose is only 2 milligrams of fentanyl, which is about the same size as two grains of rice.
Fentanyl can be added without the user’s knowledge to street drugs such as heroin, cocaine, counterfeit Xanax, and methamphetamine. Fentanyl is estimated to cause 150 deaths per day.
The public health and epidemic crisis are becoming more difficult to control. A new anti-fentanyl vaccination offers hope that the crisis will be resolved one day.
Current Treatment Options For Opioid Use Disorders
The most effective treatment of opioid addiction at the moment is a combination between medications and behavioral therapy. The use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and ultimately help people stop using drugs and avoid relapse.
Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are examples. These medications block opioids without affecting any other narcotics, preventing users from experiencing the pleasant sensations that are associated with opioid usage. Around 1.27 million Americans are receiving medication-assisted treatment.
These treatments are not very effective, and so they require multiple doses. To manage opioid addiction, daily doses are often required of methadone and naltrexone.
The New Anti-Fentanyl Vaccine
In 2022, researchers at the University of Houston will publish their findings on a anti-fentanyl vaccination .
In animal studies, the researchers demonstrated that the vaccine neutralized fentanyl without interfering other medications. Anti-fentanyl antibody would bind the fentanyl, preventing it from entering the brain and causing it to be eliminated by the kidneys.
Clinical trials on humans will be the next step in research. Researchers expect the vaccine to have no significant side effects because the two main components–CRM197, a carrier protein which helps deliver the vaccine and dmLT, an adjuvant which boosts the immune response–have already been used in other vaccines without any serious side effects being reported.
This vaccine, if successful, could be a revolution in the fight against addiction to opioids. This vaccine would reduce the risk of fentanyl-related overdoses for a long time. It could be combined with other therapies to assist people in managing their opioid addiction.
This vaccine is still under research. It will take some time for the vaccine to be available for widespread use.
It is vital that you seek support and professional help if you are struggling with opioid dependency. Treatment strategies that are currently available can make a significant difference to the reduction of opioid-related risks.
