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.

1 .- 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . An immunogen comprising nicotine or a derivative thereof conjugated to a bacterial toxoid.  
     
     
         22 . The immunogen of  claim 21 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is diphtheria toxoid.  
     
     
         23 . The immunogen of  claim 21 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is tetanus toxoid.  
     
     
         24 . A composition comprising the immunogen of  claim 21  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24  further comprising aluminum hydroxide.  
     
     
         26 . A method of reducing the physiological effects of nicotine in a human, the method comprising administering to a human a therapeutically effective dose of a composition comprising an immunogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the immunogen comprises nicotine or a derivative thereof conjugated to a bacterial toxoid.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is diphtheria toxoid.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is tetanus toxoid.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by injection, inhalation, or orally.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by subcutaneous injection.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by intramuscular injection.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose causes the generation of an anti-nicotine antibody titer of 100 μg-500 μg.  
     
     
         33 . A method of reducing the physiological effects of nicotine in a human, the method comprising administering to a human multiple doses of a composition comprising an immunogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the immunogen comprises nicotine or a derivative thereof conjugated to a carrier molecule, and wherein the multiple doses of the composition are required to induce sufficient anti-nicotine antibody titer to reduce the physiological effects of nicotine upon subsequent exposure of the human to nicotine.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the carrier molecule is a bacterial toxoid.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is diphtheria toxoid.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the bacterial toxoid is tetanus toxoid.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the human is administered four doses of the composition.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by injection, inhalation or orally.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by subcutaneous injection.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the composition is administered to the human by intramuscular injection.