Development of new pain-killing drugs that are not addictive
US and Australian research team which has made a breakthrough in revealing how opioid drugs such as morphine both relieve pain and also cause addiction.
The scientists tested a new drug called AV411 that blocks morphine’s effects on glia cells but not on neurons, resulting in effective pain relief without the side effects of addiction.
Currently, AV411 is in clinical trials at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. And it is being developed by Avigen Inc., a Californian biopharmaceutical company.
University of Adelaide (2007, November 23). Strong Pain-killing Drugs Without The Addiction. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 24, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071123210617.htm
Has this drug AV411 been approved for use in the United States yet? Are there trials that we can sign up for?