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US restrictions on SR-17018 may impede studies of a potential opioid treatment
Researchers say the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s decision to classify SR-17018 as a Schedule I drug could obstruct research into a potential opioid treatment. The compound reduced pain without suppressing breathing in mice, and some people who use opioids say it helped them taper off, but its effects and safety in humans have not been established.
The DEA imposed the emergency classification in late August, placing SR-17018 in the same category as heroin and describing it as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential. University of South Florida researcher Laura Bohn says the restrictions make it difficult to manufacture, ship or handle the compound for planned safety studies. Two former users quoted in the article say they used it to stop taking other opioid-like drugs, though these individual accounts are not clinical evidence.
In short
- The DEA placed SR-17018 in Schedule I.
- Researchers say the move may impede human studies.
- Some users report it helped them taper off opioids.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Restricting SR-17018 may prevent researchers from making, shipping and handling it for studies that could establish whether it is safe and useful. Given the mouse findings and reports from some former users, supporters argue that carefully controlled research could clarify its potential as an opioid treatment and inform future decisions.
The case against
The compound’s effects and safety in humans have not been established, and individual accounts cannot show that it works or is safe. Supporters of strict controls can argue that classifying a substance with potential for abuse as Schedule I is a precaution against harm while evidence is limited, even if the restrictions make research harder.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “The DEA banned a drug some opioid users called a miracle”.