Method to reduce the physiologic effects of drugs on mammals

Abstract

A method to reduce the physiologic effects of drugs in vivo by inducing specific anti-drug antibodies using drugs conjugated to carrier molecules so as to reduce a drug's toxicity and its physiologic effects upon the recipient. This method includes the treatment and prophylactic prevention of drug abuse, specifically for cocaine and nicotine, and to help reduce the toxic effects of drugs, such as anti-neoplastics.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for suppressing or reducing in mammals the physiological effects caused by a drug comprising: 
 administering to a mammal, prior to the administration of the drug, a drug-conjugated immunogen which consists of the drug conjugated to a carrier molecule; and    inducing in the recipient the production of anti-drug antibodies    wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of cocaine, cocaine-derivatives, nicotine and anti-neoplastic compounds.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the drug is cocaine or a cocaine-derivative.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cocaine derivative is benzoylecgonine.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of albumin, polysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polysaccharide is mannan.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, poliovirus, Rubella, Mumps, Measles, Hepatitis, Haemophilus, smallpox and varicella-zoster vaccines, or components thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the drug is cocaine or a cocaine-derivative.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the polysaccharide is mannan.  
     
     
         9 . A method for reducing the toxicity of a drug in mammals comprising: 
 administering to a mammal, prior to the administration of the drug, a drug-conjugated immunogen which consists of the drug conjugated to a carrier molecule; and    inducing in the recipient the production of anti-drug antibodies    wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of cocaine, a cocaine-derivative and anti-neoplastic compounds.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the drug is cocaine or a cocaine-derivative.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cocaine derivative is benzoylecgonine.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the conjugate is administered to the subject by injection, inhalation or orally.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the conjugate is administered by subcutaneous injection.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of albumin, polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide or Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, poliovirus, Rubella, Mumps, Measles, Hepatitis, Haemophilus, smallpox or varicella-zoster vaccine, or components thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the carrier molecule is either mannan or  Salmonella typhosa  lipopolysaccharide.  
     
     
         16 . A method for the treatment of drug abuse comprising the steps of: 
 administering to a recipient a controlled substance-carrier conjugated immunogen;    inducing in the recipient the production of anti-controlled substance antibodies; and    reducing or eliminating: 
 (i) the physiological effect and/or  
 (ii) toxicity  
 of a subsequent intake of controlled substance in the recipient.  
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the controlled substance-carrier conjugate is a cocaine derivative conjugated to a carrier molecule.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the cocaine derivative is benzoylecgonine.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said therapeutically effective dose is a dose sufficient to generate in the recipient antibodies against a controlled substance.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of albumin, polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide or Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, poliovirus, Rubella, Mumps, Measles, Hepatitis, Haemophilus, smallpox or varicella-zoster vaccine, or components thereof.