Painkillers are mostly effective for those who are suffering from pain. However, most painkillers today have side effects. A new painkiller is being developed without side effects.
There are painkillers being used that are strong. These are called opioids and are used by people who are in severe pain and have suffered tissue damage. Opioids are used after surgery, arthritis or cancer.
Opioids though have side effects as well. These side effects can range from nausea, constipation and drowsiness. More severe effects of opioids could include dependency on it and in some cases even respiratory arrest.
Professor Dr. Christopher Stein from the Campus Benjamin Franklin has made the research to create new painkillers together with Professor Dr. Marcus Weber from the Zuse Institute Berlin. With the help of computer simulations, they were able to create painkillers which target only the area where the pain is. This then spares healthy tissues from any effects.
With the new painkiller, there wouldn't be side effects that are commonly associated with opioids. The authors of the study are Dr. Viola Spahn and Dr. Giovanna Del Vecchio. In the study, they both have said that the prototype painkiller binds to opioid receptors. The painkiller then works only in the area where the pain is, according to the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin's site.
The painkiller only targets injured tissues. It also doesn't cause any of the side effects such as constipation, drowsiness or dependency. The risk of respiratory depression has also been eliminated with it.
The new painkiller has also been tested. Computer modelling has been used to test the new painkiller, as Science Daily reports. The computer model simulated an increase in protons. This is to simulate conditions around damaged tissues.
The new painkiller that's developed might eventually be used for other types of pain. Other uses might even be seen for it. A new painkiller has been developed without side effects. A study has found that air pollution can affect antibiotics.