Wanna quit smoking? There’s a shot for that November 13, 2009
Posted by Jolie McCullough in study, vaccine.Tags: nicotine, nicVAX, smoking, study, vaccine
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In a world where we can download tons of applications to our cell phones to do just about anything at the touch of a button, why shouldn’t we be able to apply that method of thinking to everything, like, let’s say, smoking.
Courtesy of NABI Biopharmaceuticals
Back in the old days, people used to have to use old-fashioned will power to quit smoking. Then, thank god, came the Nicorette patch and gum and all of those goodies, but could there be an easier way?
It sure looks like it.
The vaccine, NicVAX, is “an investigational vaccine designed as an aid to smoking cessation, as well as an aid to prevent relapses of a treated smoker,” according to NABI Biopharmaceuticals. This video from AZfamily.com demonstrates just how the shot works.
NicVAX recently received a $10 million grant from the American Recovery and Investment Act which will be used to test phase III testing, according to Robert Langley, a blogger on government info.
The drug has already shown success in helping smokers quit and keeping them from relapsing, according to a press release from the National Institutes of Health, and completion of the third phase will get the vaccine much closer to FDA approval.
Patients in the trial will receive six monthly shots in the arm, which will hopefully help them kick the habit.
Though it may be too soon to be jumping for joy, this vaccine seems like it may very soon be a big help for smokers who can’t seem to quit on their own. There are apps for everything, why can’t we have shots to make our lives easier too?
Hey, How long before this actually becomes available? I was going to forward this to my brother who quits and relapses with regularity but maybe I will wait until it is ready for the public.
It seems like that is still up in the air. The FDA does seem to have faith in this vaccine though since it has fast tracked it. Hopefully, it will be approved by the FDA shortly after phase III of the trial, but there is no positive answer.