Kyoto University creates a non-habit forming analgesic drug
In the medical field, pain management has long been a significant challenge, especially when it comes to treating chronic pain. Opioids, such as fentanyl and morphine, have been widely used for their pain-relieving properties, but they come with a host of side effects, including addiction and breathing problems.
A breakthrough in this area may be on the horizon, as researchers from Kyoto University have discovered a new painkiller that shows promise in treating chronic pain without the adverse effects of opioids.
The compound, which has yet to be named, works by increasing the secretion of noradrenaline. This discovery was made by Professor Masatoshi Hagiwara and associate professor Masayasu Toyomoto from Kyoto University.
Initial tests on mice and monkeys have shown that the compound has pain-relieving effects comparable to those of opioids, without the harmful side effects. A clinical trial conducted at Kyoto University Hospital involving 20 patients who had undergone lung cancer surgery yielded promising results for the new painkiller.
The team of Kyoto University professors plans to conduct a clinical trial involving hundreds of participants in the United States as early as next year. If successful, the new painkiller could potentially replace opioids in medical settings, contributing greatly to the reduction of opioid use and its associated risks.
If the pain reliever demonstrates efficacy in treating chronic pain that is difficult to treat, it has the potential for widespread use. Professor Makoto Tsuda, a neuropharmacology expert at Kyushu University, believes that the compound could have the potential for widespread use.
The discovery of this non-addictive painkiller has the potential to revolutionize pain management in the medical field. In 2023, about 80,000 people died from opioid overdose in the U.S., underscoring the need for alternatives to opioids in pain management. The new painkiller, if successful in clinical trials, could save countless lives and improve the quality of life for millions of people suffering from chronic pain.
