Effectiveness of Nefazodone and Bupropion in Treating Marijuana Dependent Individuals

Marijuana Abuse Clinical Trial

Official title:

Marijuana Pharmacotherapies: Controlled Clinical Trials With Nefazodone and Bupropion

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00249509
• Other study ID #: NIDA-13191-1
• Secondary ID: R01-DA013191-1DP
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: November 3, 2005
• Last updated: January 13, 2017
• Start date: September 2000
• Est. completion date: September 2004

Study information

• Verified date: March 2011
• Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Recent research has identified the following withdrawal symptoms to be associated with abruptly stopping marijuana use: anxiety, irritability, bodily aches and pains, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms resemble those of both depression and nicotine withdrawal, suggesting that a similar treatment drug may be useful. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of two antidepressant drugs, bupropion and nefazodone, in reducing withdrawal symptoms in marijuana dependent individuals.

Description:

There have been few controlled studies that focus on treatments for marijuana dependence. The symptoms associated with marijuana withdrawal, including anxiety, irritability, bodily aches and pains, and difficulty sleeping, resemble those caused by depression and nicotine withdrawal. Therefore, antidepressant or nicotine withdrawal medications may be effective in treating marijuana dependence. Nefazodone and bupropion are two medications currently used to treat depression. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of nefazodone and bupropion in alleviating marijuana withdrawal symptoms. In addition, this study will evaluate whether these medications successfully treat marijuana dependent individuals in terms of treatment adherence and drug abstinence.

Participants in this double-blind trial will be randomly assigned to receive nefazodone, bupropion, or placebo. Daily doses of medication will be provided to participants in dated pill boxes; pill boxes will then be returned to the study nurse at each study visit. Medication will be taken in three daily doses; one of the doses will be a nonmedicated pill. Nefazodone will initially be given at a dose of 150 mg per day, which participants will take at bedtime. Every 5 days, the daily dose will increase by 150 mg, to a maximal dose of 600 mg of nefazodone per day. Bupropion will be given at an initial dose of 150 mg, which participants will take in the morning. After 3 days, the daily dose will increase to a total dose of 300 mg of bupropion per day.

Study visits will occur daily, at which time participants will complete drug use and withdrawal symptom reports. In addition, participants will partake in weekly therapy visits, which will consist of four sessions of motivational enhancement therapy followed by sessions of relapse prevention therapy. Bi-weekly psychiatry visits will include evaluations on substance use behavior and overall clinical symptoms, and will last 15-30 minutes.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 132
• Est. completion date: September 2004
• Est. primary completion date: September 2004
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meets DSM-IV criteria for current marijuana dependence

• Uses at least 5 marijuana joints per week

• Currently seeking treatment for marijuana dependence

• Used marijuana in a maladaptive pattern in the 6 months prior to study entry

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness

• Significant and unstable psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)

• Chronic organic mental disorder

• Dependent on any substances of abuse other than marijuana

• Currently at significant suicidal risk

• Unstable physical disorder that may represent a severe untreated condition, such as hypertension (blood pressure greater than 150/90), elevated transaminase levels, or unstable diabetes

• Current or suspected coronary vascular disease

• Has taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor in the 2 weeks prior to study entry

• Currently taking terfenedine, cisapride, astemizole, or pimozide

• History of an allergic reaction to bupropion or nefazodone

• If female, pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to use an adequate method of contraception for the duration of the study

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Marijuana Abuse

Intervention

Drug:
• Nefazodone

• Bupropion

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	New York State Psychiatric Institute	New York	New York

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Marijuana use
Secondary	Marijuana withdrawal

External Links

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