Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


10

Cocaine Vaccine Tackles Addiction

New treatment mutes drug's effect on the brain

Share

(Newser) – A vaccine-like treatment to fight cocaine addiction has shown promising results in early clinical trials and could pave the way for new treatments to battle nicotine and methamphetamine addiction as well, researchers say. The vaccine created antibodies that prevented cocaine molecules from reaching the brain fast enough to cause a euphoric high, causing 40% of addicts to either quit the drug completely or cut back significantly.

The desire to use cocaine returned after treatment finished, meaning users would likely require booster shots to stay off the drug permanently. "It's for people who are motivated to get off drugs," one researcher told the Los Angeles Times. "It's not a cure-all." The scientists plan to carry out a larger study next year, although they say it will be tough to find a pharmaceutical company willing to invest in developing the vaccine.

Researchers say the 'vaccine' could help many of America's estimated 2 million cocaine users fight their addiction.
Researchers say the 'vaccine' could help many of America's estimated 2 million cocaine users fight their addiction.   (Shutter Stock)
The vaccine-like treatment creates antibodies that derail the high from cocaine molecules.
The vaccine-like treatment creates antibodies that derail the high from cocaine molecules.   (©In a N.Y. State Of Mind)
The cocaine trials also hold promise for battling nicotine and methamphetamine addictions as well.
The cocaine trials also hold promise for battling nicotine and methamphetamine addictions as well.   (©Marco Gomes)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This vaccine—even as it is—would probably do pretty well with people who have already stopped using cocaine and just want to keep themselves from relapsing back. - Lead researcher Dr. Thomas Kosten

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
10 comments
VIEWING:
 
George_Taylor
Oct 6, 09 2:51 AM CDT
This may be bad for drug lord business. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Aelius28
Oct 6, 09 3:21 AM CDT
Wow, fucking awesome. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
armywife
Oct 6, 09 3:40 AM CDT
i hope it doesnt turn out to have horrific unforeseen side effects, cause it sounds too good to be true... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
Oct 6, 09 8:44 PM CDT
Small print: May cause dizziness, drowsiness, sleeplessness, diarrhea, constipation and anal bleeding.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
riffran
Oct 6, 09 4:03 AM CDT
can't be much worse than what the idiot crackheads are already doing to themselves.. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

View all 10 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

29 Stories

Shortage of Seasonal Flu Vaccine Looms

Supplies running low, manufacturers
can't make more

Nov 5, 09 1:19 AM CST
(Newser) - Severe shortages of seasonal flu vaccines are expected across the country in coming weeks as supplies run short amid increasing demand. Manufacturers have committed their production to making H1N1 vaccines and lack the capacity to make any more seasonal flu vaccines this year. The director of the CDC told lawmakers... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • vaccination • vaccine • influenza • swine flu • H1N1 virus • seasonal flu

H1N1 OUTBREAK

 Vaccine Scarier 
 Than Swine Flu: Poll 

Concern high and building, but 60+% don't plan to get a shot

Oct 22, 09 2:05 PM CDT
(Newser) - Americans are spooked by the growing threat of swine flu but even warier of the vaccine. Half of respondents in a recent Washington Post poll are a “great deal” or “somewhat” worried they or a family member will catch H1N1, up from 39% in August. But more... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Health and Human Services • Congressional hearings • public health • children • Joe Lieberman • Inoculation • vaccination • vaccine • Kathleen Sebelius • pandemic • swine flu • H1N1 virus

ANALYSIS

 Anti-Vaccine Push  
 Threatens Kid Health 

'Pseudo-science' campaign blamed for rising rates of child illnesses

Oct 20, 09 1:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - A flourishing anti-vaccination movement based on bad science and distrust of Big Pharma is pressing the rewind button on decades of advances in reducing child illness, writes Amy Wallace. Parents who believe—despite the lack of credible evidence—that vaccines harm children are endangering other people's children as well as... More »

MORE ABOUT:
autism • public health • vaccination • vaccine • pediatrics • pediatricians • Paul Offit

29 Stories


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
drug addiction • cocaine • vaccination • vaccine • drug addicts

from our news partners