New technology makes it easier to take your medicine with fewer side effects
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed a new technology that can hold an entire course of antibiotics in one tiny dose and deliver on demand just the right amount of medication that a particular patient needs to fight an infection.
This breakthrough in targeted medicine is the result of two new studies that tested this drug-delivery system on two bacterial strains that negatively affect millions of people worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes meningitis, sepsis and bacterial pneumonia, potentially fatal conditions. Gardnerella vaginalis is mainly associated with bacterial vaginosis, causing discomfort and pain.
“Compared to traditional therapies that release drugs continuously, even when not needed, our nanomedicine is designed to release drugs only when required, which will potentially reduce severe side effects associated with excess dosing,” Ho said. “In addition to combatting AMR by ensuring patients take all of their medicine, there would be fewer side effects because they also don’t take too much of the drug. Our technology is far-reaching, and this is just the beginning.”