Promising Drug for Meth and Cocaine Addiction on the Fast Track to Approval
A promising new drug that seems to stop the cravings and euphoria of cocaine and meth is now on the FDA fast track to approval.
Ovation pharmaceuticals announced yesterday that vigabatrin, an anticonvulsant drug, has earned an FDA fast track approval, potentially accelerating its general release to market.
The drug, already approved for use with infantile spasms and seizures, has produced promising results in initial testing for use against meth and cocaine addiction. In both animal testing, and in small group trials, the drug has been shown to reduce cravings and also reduce experienced euphoria, should users take vigabatrin and cocaine or meth, at the same time.
The drug increases levels of the brain transmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid, which seems to block the intoxicating effects of psycho stimulants such as meth or cocaine, and also allows addicts to quit using without experiencing the intense relapse provoking cravings that end so many attempts at sobriety.
The company will proceed with late stage trials in conjunction with the National Institute on Drug Abuse and hopes to launch large scale late stage trials by the end of next year.
In America, about 1 million people seek help for an addiction to meth or cocaine each year, and addiction treatment experts eagerly await pharmacological solutions to assist them in the fight against these tough addictions.
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