Seattle Health Blog

Researchers at the School of Medicine, Yale University, U.S., tested an experimental vaccine with 55 cocaine addicts during a clinical trial that lasted 24 weeks.
The study results were published in Archives of General Psychiatry (Archives of General Psychiatry.) The scientists found that 38% of participants failed to meet the appropriate levels of antibodies to stop experiencing the feeling of euphoria that produces the drug.

The vaccine works by “wrapping” to cocaine so that it does not have effects on the brain, heart or other organ “,” This is the first successful controlled trial of a vaccine against cocaine, say scientists.

According to previous studies conducted on animals and humans, high levels of anti-cocaine antibodies in the blood can prevent addicts experience that feeling.

However, the researchers stressed that the vaccine who managed high antibody level, only maintained it for two months, so it would need repeat injections.

According to the researchers, the effects of high antibody levels began to be seen until the eighth week of the test. Taking into account that on average, a patient comes to treatment after six to eight years of drug abuse, may be needed two years of vaccines, scientists say.

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