Vigabatrin, an anticonvulsive drug marketed by Ovation Pharmaceuticals, has been "fast-tracked" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and could become the first drug approved by the agency as a treatment for cocaine and methamphetamine dependence, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Jan. 22.

The drug, which would be marketed under the brand name Sabril, is though to work by blocking craving and euphoria by increasing the level of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Animal testing and two small-scale human trials have shown that the drug inhibits craving and euphoria. Sabril is currently in Phase II drug-safety trials, and the third and potentially final stage of testing before FDA approval should begin next year.

"We believe this fast track designation for Sabril will accelerate our efforts to bring to market a treatment option for the hundreds of thousands of people who suffer from dependence on cocaine and methamphetamine," said Tim Cunniff, Ovation's vice president for global regulatory affairs.

Sabril has already been approved by the FDA for treatment of seizures and infantile spasms.