Scientists told how to reduce the consumption of painkillers
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
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The most common components of painkillers are hydrocodone, oxycodone. Even if you do not need such substances and are far from the pharmacological industry, the name "Vicodin" will be known to you. The analgesic, to which Dr. Gregory House "sat down" from the famous series, contains exactly hydrocodone. In the television series, the effects of a prolonged intake of "Vicodin" are shown: the continuously increased dosage of the drug led the doctor to drug dependence and required emergency treatment.
Hydrocodone and oxycodone are part of a group of synthetic opioids that, when combined with opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reduce pain syndrome. Among other side effects drugs on their basis are addictive on a physical and mental level. Particularly susceptible to adverse effects of opiates in persons under the age of 18 or after 60 years. To maintain the usual positive effect requires a constant increase in the dosage of the drug, which grows into an uncontrolled one. And the process of lowering doses or refusing to take "Vicodin" is accompanied by lacrimation, discharge from the nose, a decrease in appetite, manifestations of causeless panic, nervous splashes, irritable behavior, nausea, chills and active perspiration. Overdosing causes respiratory problems, dizziness, weakness, convulsions, loss of consciousness and even to whom. With the diagnosis of an overdose of "Vicodin" in the United States, 45,000 patients are hospitalized each year and more than 500 die.
Scientists at the University of Michigan (USA) were able to maintain an analgesic effect at the required level without increasing the number of tablets used. Authors managed to find a substance interacting with the same receptors as opioids, but without suppressing the influence of the drug itself. By means of interrelation with another part of the neuron receptor and a change in its structure, the open substance made receptors more sensitive, even for a small amount of anesthetic.
These findings have become absolutely unexpected, both for scientists themselves, and for the entire medical world. The possibility of an opioid receptor to bind to a neopyroid molecule has so far seemed impossible. Not to mention the reaction of changes in the sensitivity of the receptor itself.
In the tests, the well-known pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb took part, which gives hope for the emergence of a new generation of analgesics in the near future. The detected substance should protect the patient from the possibility of crossing the line, which is fraught with unpleasant side effects.
Perhaps this discovery will help develop methods and tools for drug dependence treatment, and the molecular activator of receptors will be able to take a worthy place in modern narcology.
"Vicodin" is on the list of recommended drugs for the US ban. Apparently for this reason the writers of the above mentioned series quickly cured House of addiction.
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