Natural painkiller nasal spray could replace addictive opioids, trial indicates
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#3ET24)
Risk of overdose could be far lower, say researchers, as fundraising for human clinical trials begins
A nasal spray that delivers a natural painkiller to the brain could transform the lives of patients by replacing the dangerous and addictive prescription opioids that have wreaked havoc in the US and claimed the lives of thousands of people.
Scientists at University College London found they could alleviate pain in animals with a nasal spray that delivered millions of soluble nanoparticles filled with a natural opioid directly into the brain. In lab tests, the animals showed no signs of becoming tolerant to the compound's pain-relieving effects, meaning the risk of overdose should be far lower.