Antidote against overdose from neopioid drugs found

American scientists have tested the substance Pillar[6]MaxQ (P6AS) as a drug to combat overdose from neopioid drugs. The results of the experiment by chemists from the University of Maryland are published in the journal Chem.

As the scientists explained, there are a number of non-opioid drugs such as methamphetamine, mephedrone, ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine that have no antidote, in other words, doctors cannot save people who overdose on these substances.

Laboratory tests have shown that P6AS has successfully mitigated the potentially deadly biological effects of drugs such as methamphetamine, ecstasy, mephedrone and fentanyl. P6AS works like a molecular container, which means it binds and isolates other compounds by enclosing them within itself.

When putting molecules in the 'container,' scientists can disable their biological properties and thereby reverse any effects they cause. Tests have shown that the effects of methamphetamine can be reversed by administering P6AS after five minutes and fentanyl after 15 minutes. That's still not enough to save lives in real-life situations, the scientists explained.

In the future, chemists will refine the substance to increase this time interval. The researchers will also conduct tests to see if the compound helps to eliminate the drug from the body.