Inventing a long-acting medication for two weeks

In a study published in the November 16 issue of Science Translational Medicine, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new drug that, after taking it, can stay in the stomach and gradually dispersing drugs in two weeks time.

This may be a new "weapon" in the fight against malaria, AIDS / HIV and other diseases that successful treatment depends on regular use of drugs.

The long-acting drug has a six-pointed star shape.(Source: mit.edu).

This new long-acting drug has a six-pointed star that can be rolled into a "capsule" member. The doses are inserted into these wings and each wing is attached to the center of the star with a hook.

After being swallowed, the outer part of the tablet dissolves due to the effect of the acid in the stomach, allowing the pill's wings to open. Once stored in the stomach, they are just the right size to withstand any repulsive force that wants to push them down the digestive tract, without causing a blockage.

In pig experiments, the researchers found that after the drug spread within two weeks, the hooks connected the wings with the middle part of the star decayed, helping the wings to leave and go down the drain. chemical.

According to Professor Robert Langer, of MIT, up to now, oral medicines have only been effective for a limited time because they drift quickly in the body and are placed in harsh environments in the stomach and intestines.

According to the researchers, this long-acting pill technology can be applied to treat many other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and neurological diseases to treat AIDS and TB. This drug will be tested in humans next year.