Molecular trap that snares many different drugs could save lives during overdoses

A macrocyclic compound has shown promise as a broad-spectrum antidote for drugs of abuse – including opioids, stimulants and hallucinogens – some of which currently have no reversal agent such as methamphetamine and phencyclidine (PCP). The pillararene compound P6AS can sequester drug molecules inside itself and changes their properties, and if administered following an overdose could reduce fatalities.

Overdoses of opioids, including heroin and fentanyl, are currently treated with the small molecule naloxone that blocks the relevant receptors. However, this doesn’t work with non-opioid drugs. Antibodies have been explored as potential overdose treatments as studies have shown they can bind tightly to drugs in the bloodstream, including cocaine and methamphetamine, and prevent their passage across the blood-brain barrier. However, antibodies are expensive to prepare, need to be stored under well-controlled conditions, and are prone to degrade.