A Fish to Live or Die For

The puffer fish, also known as blowfish, packs a deadly toxin, but it might save drug addicts.

Puffers are so-named because when threatened, they suck in water and swell to twice their normal size. Puffers can kill. Many parts of their body contain tetrodotoxin. It's stronger than cyanide. Specially trained chefs in Japan prepare safe parts of the fish as a delicacy, but now and then a diner dies.

Now a drug derived from tetrodotoxin is being used in a clinical trial by Wex Pharmaceuticals for treatment of withdrawal symptoms from drugs like heroin. The trial started this month and results are expected next year.

Treatment programs typically involve substituting a long-acting opiate for the shorter-acting one a person is addicted to. The chemical from the blowfish is long-lasting and non-addictive, earlier tests suggested.

-- LiveScience Staff

Credit: Wex Pharmaceuticals Inc.