Method for treating withdrawal symptoms due to opiate consumption
The present invention provides a method for preventing or treating opiate tolerance and dependence by administering to an individual in need of such treatment with a pharmaceutically effective amount of a blocking reagent for ephrinB-EphB signaling. The opiate tolerance and dependence can be caused by chronic morphine treatment and withdrawal. The blocking reagent can be an EphB receptor blocker such as EphB1-Fc and EphB2-Fc.
1. A method for treating withdrawal symptoms due to opiate consumption, comprising: administering intrathecally to an individual in need of such treatment with a pharmaceutically effective amount of an EphB 1-Fc or EphB2-Fc blocking reagent.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said EphB 1-Fc or EphB2-Fc blocking reagent is administered in an amount of from about 0.5 μg to about 75 mg.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said EphB 1-Fc or EphB2-Fc blocking reagent is administered in an amount of from about 1μg to about 15 mg.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said individual is a mammal.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said mammal is human.