This experimental pill can become the first drug ever for cocaine addiction

There is a new hope for people who struggle with cocaine addiction. In the results of the clinical trials that were released today, a experimental drug was initially developed by Novartis to reduce the use of cocaine in people with cocaine’s use disorder.

Scientists at Novartis led the research, an experiment of 68 people suffering from an infected cocaine -use disorder. Compared to those in the imaginary medicine, people who take experimental therapy use – called mavoglurant – cocaine and also drink alcohol in many cases during the next three months. The results require more health verification, but Mavoglurant may eventually become the first approved drug aimed at treating cocaine use.

Cocaine and similar drugs such as methamphetamine or medical stimulants are often misused. In the United States, it is estimated 10.2 million Americans over the age of 12 are wondering in 2022, while about 4.5 million people have fulfilled the stimulant disorder standards (continuous use in the long run even when it is harmful to the activity and relationships of a person). It also seems that the misuse of steroids is rising, and these medications Contribute to the growth of excessive deaths Likewise, especially when combined with other drugs such as opioids.

Currently, the only remedial remedies are widely available to help people with stimulant misuse are social psychological, such as consulting or cognitive behavioral therapy. There are no approved medications to reduce the urges of people to use cocaine, and options outside the designation Disulfiram It showed limited effectiveness in general. So there is an urgent need to fill this treatment gap – one can fill Mavoglurant.

MAVOGLURANT was originally developed to treat the fragile genetic state X, although it is Fail To do this in large clinical trials. It is known that the drug prevents receptors called mglur5, which some studies have suggested a role in regulating our reward response to stimulants. Therefore, the researchers expressed his hope that the mavoglurant would be modified in a treatment for the disorder of the use of doping.

In this last experiment, the researchers have spread people with cocaine -use disorder either to receive an imaginary or mavoglurant drug (which was considered as a grain) twice a day for 98 days. Cocaine use was measured by self -reported use, as well as urine and hair tests that have searched for secondary products known in the body.

In general, the researchers found that mavoglurant was greatly reduced from the use of cocaine compared to imaginary therapy, which was supported by urine tests. They also found evidence, and if not clear, it was reduced to alcohol use for people as well. The drug seemed to be generally safe and endured, with common negative events including headaches, dizziness and nausea.

The researchers wrote in their paper, “In this small and short experience, he reduced the use of cocaine and alcohol in patients with chronic cocaine use.” Published In scientific medicine medicine.

As authors notice, this is only one small experience. Larger, more diverse and long -term experiences will be needed to confirm the results. Looking at the current lack of options, this research can be an important step forward to treat doping disorder (in 2023, Mavoglurant was Licensed To Stalicla SA for further development in this field). The effects that alcohol may have to use people also indicate that MGLUR5 can play a greater role in regulating how to respond to alcohol, which may open a new way of research.