Treatment of Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome Using Escitalopram &

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

Recent studies have established the reliability, validity and time course of the cannabis withdrawal syndrome. This study will investigate the effects of combined treatment of Escitalopram with cognitive-behavior therapy in alleviating the symptoms of the marijuana withdrawal syndrome in regular chronic users of marijuana. We predict that combined pharmacological treatment and cognitive-behavior therapy will help patients to abstain from using using marijuana and it will alleviate their marijuana withdrawal symptoms.

Clinical Trial Description

Recent studies have established the reliability, validity and time course of the cannabis withdrawal syndrome characterized by symptoms of anxiety, irritability, negative mood, physical symptoms and decreased appetite. This study will investigate the effects of combined treatment of Escitalopram with cognitive-behavior therapy in alleviating the symptoms of the marijuana withdrawal syndrome in regular chronic users of marijuana. 40 patients will be blindly randomized to either active or placebo escitalopram 10mg/day, for 12 weeks followed bt 12 weeks of follow-up.

Inclusion criteria include:

- Men and women age 20-45

- DSM-IV diagnosis of THC dependence.

Exclusion criteria include:

- Dependence on other drugs or alcohol

- Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia, Major depression, suicidal ideation psychotic symptoms or violent thoughts

- Current treatment with anti-depressant medication

- Neurological disease

- Physical illness (hypothyroidism, severe anemia, renal failure)

- Past severe effects of SSRIs.

Outcome measures include:

- urine THC analysis every two weeks

- questionnaires assessing addiction severity index

- depression and anxiety. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT00598052
Study type	Interventional
Source	Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Contact	Aviv M Weinstein, Ph.D
Phone	97236973685
Email	avivmw@tasmc.health.gov.il
Status	Recruiting
Phase	N/A
Start date	December 2007
Completion date	October 2008

View Details

See also
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Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.

Treatment of Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome Using Escitalopram and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Clinical Trial Summary

Clinical Trial Description

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms