Medications may offer the means for drug addicts to not only kick the habit, but also stay clean. 1 Adaptedfrom figure by K. Janda Monoclonal antibodies prevent cocaine from crossing the blood-brain barrier, thereby blocking the stimulant effects induced by the drug. This may prove useful in treating long-term addicts who are prone to relapse. This type of vaccination may be effective for several months in humans. If necessary a booster can be given at the end of this time.
Most drugs are too small for the body to recognize as foreign, so there is no immune response.
The fused molecule, called a hapten, is used to immunize a mouse, which will produce monoclonal antibodies against the drug. These monoclonal antibodies can then be harvested and used to recognize PCP in the body. They function by binding the drug so it cannot reach the brain and drug receptors. Then the drug bound to the antibody is eliminated as waste. For an overdose the goal is to use a therapy that reverses an ongoing process quickly.