What is more, the vaccine appeared to reduce the toxic effects of opioids in the mice.
If these results translate to humans, the researchers say the vaccine has the potential to reduce the risk of death from opioid overdose.
Opioids are medications prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain. They are among the most commonly used painkillers in the U.S., with the number of opioids sold in the country almost quadruplingsince 1999.
"The vaccine approach stops the drug before it even gets to the brain," explains study co-author Cody J. Wenthur, a research associate in Janda's lab. "It's like a preemptive strike."
Additionally, the vaccine appeared to lower the rodents' susceptibility to fatal overdose by reducing the toxic effects of opioids; while some mice did die as a result of opioid exposure, the team notes that it took much longer for the drugs to become toxic.