Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Pharmacodynamic treatment for cocaine addiction by targeting receptors and transporters in order to affect neurotransmitter systems usually failed or brought only modest improvement in reducing cocaine addiction or overdose symptoms. Therefore other approach such as pharmacokinetic (PK) one has been explored recently. These include enzyme, antibody or vaccine- based treatments aiming to reduce cocaine concentration at the site of action, thereby minimizing any pharmacodynamic effect. Two major pharmacokinetic strategies are currently in development: peripheral blocker and increased drug metabolism. One advantage of PK treatments will be greater acceptance by patients and doctors, as these drugs do not possess psychoactive properties and are not addictive. Efforts are underway after promising results in animal studies, to conduct clinical trials with these substances in humans, which if successful will open a new chapter in treatment of substance abuse, overdose and dependence

Biography

Zoran M. Pavlovic got his medical degree at the age of 25, completed his residency and obtained board certification in Psychiatry, from School of Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. He has published numerous articles in the US (Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychatry, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology) and European Neuropsychopharmacology journals (International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology and European Psychiatry). He serves as National Advisor at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) and is a Member of the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP). He serves on the Editorial Board of Annals of General Psychiatry, Translational Biomedicine Journal and Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics. He is currently working as Medical Director Psychiatry with PRA International in Germany