U of M developing new treatments to reverse effects of opioid exposure

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The University of Minnesota is working on new treatments to reverse effects of opioid exposure.

One professor says his studies could lead to a possible opioid vaccine by the end of the year.

"We are still on target, and hopefully, before crazy last weekend, hopefully immunize our first patient with a vaccine," said Dr. Marco Pravetoni, associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The vaccine could help people who were accidentally exposed to fentanyl or help prevent people on methadone treatments from relapsing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 600 people died in Minnesota in 2018 because of opioid overdoses. The state’s totals happen to be among the lowest in the country.