Study of Long-Acting Injectable Naltrexone to Treat Cannabis Dependence

Cannabis Dependence Clinical Trial

Official title:

Open-Label Pilot Study of Long-Acting Injectable Naltrexone Treatment for Cannabis Dependence

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02088177
• Other study ID #: #6799
• Secondary ID: DA009236
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: October 2014
• Est. completion date: March 2016

Study information

• Verified date: April 2019
• Source: New York State Psychiatric Institute
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This is an 8 week, outpatient research study testing the use of long-acting naltrexone (Vivitrol) as a treatment for marijuana dependence. Vivitrol is a medication that is effective in treating dependence on opiates and opioids, and in treating dependence on alcohol. It is FDA approved for these disorders. It is a long-acting medication that contains enough medicine in each injection to last for one month. One way it works is by blocking the effects of opiates, including opiates released by the body in response to drugs and alcohol. In this study, we are interested in testing the effects of Vivitrol in people with marijuana dependence.

Individuals participating in this study will receive two Vivitrol injections, each given four weeks apart, (week 1 and week 5). The injection is given in the muscle of the buttock on one side. Participants will attend clinic visits two times a week during this 8-week study for medical management for drug use and for monitoring of physical and psychological health.

Description:

This is an 8 week, outpatient, open-label clinical trial of long-acting injectable naltrexone as a treatment for cannabis dependence.

The purpose of the study will be to evaluate marijuana use patterns and tolerability of long-acting naltrexone in 7 treatment-seeking, cannabis-dependent outpatients; also to assess feasibility of conducting a larger trial with this medication. Cannabis dependent patients will have twice weekly clinic visits where they will receive injections of Vivitrol four weeks apart, in Week 1 and in Week 5. The psychosocial intervention for this study will be Medical Management, designed to facilitate adherence to the study medication and monitoring procedures, as well as to support the participant in achieving his or her marijuana use goals.

Participants will self-report cannabis use, will provide urine toxicology for quantitative assessment of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana), and will provide serum samples for safety monitoring, and will answer questionnaires and will report on their physical and psychological health weekly.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: March 2016
• Est. primary completion date: March 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 60 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 18 - 60 years

• Meets DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edition IV-TR) criteria for cannabis dependence

• Seeking treatment for cannabis dependence

• Reports using cannabis an average of 5 days per week over the past 28 days

• Capable of giving informed consent and complying with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lifetime history of DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder

• Currently meeting DSM-IV criteria for a psychiatric disorder that, according to the investigator's judgment, may require pharmacological or non-pharmacological intervention during the course of the study

• Receiving opioid analgesic medication

• Known history of allergy, intolerance, or hypersensitivity to naltrexone

• Pregnancy, lactation, or failure to use adequate contraceptive methods in female participants who are actively engaging in sexual activity with men

• Unstable medical conditions, such as poorly controlled hypertension or liver disease, which might make participation hazardous

• Chronic pain conditions

• Liver dysfunction as indicated by elevated liver transaminases greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal

• Current DSM-IV diagnosis of substance dependence other than nicotine or cannabis dependence

• Legally mandated to participate in a substance use disorder treatment program

• Risk for suicide

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cannabis Dependence
• Marijuana Abuse

Intervention

Drug:
• Long-acting injectable naltrexone
Vivitrol is a long-acting opioid antagonist which blocks opioid agonists from binding at opioid receptors. It be administered as described above.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	STARS clinic, Columbia-New York Presbyterian and New York State Psychiatric Institute	New York	New York
United States	STARS Downtown, Columbia-Presbyterian and New York State Psychiatric Institute	New York	New York

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
New York State Psychiatric Institute

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (1)

Johnson BA, Ait-Daoud N, Roache JD. The COMBINE SAFTEE: a structured instrument for collecting adverse events adapted for clinical studies in the alcoholism field. J Stud Alcohol Suppl. 2005 Jul;(15):157-67; discussion 140. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in Marijuana Use	Change in marijuana use, as measured by comparing the mean number of self reported days of marijuana use per week in the final study week, which will be week 8 or earlier if the participant discontinues as compared to the mean number of self reported days of marijuana use in week 1	Weeks 1 - 8
Primary	Number of Participants Receiving the Second Injection of Study Medication	The number of participants who accept the second injection at week 5 will be used as one measure of tolerability.	Weeks 1 - 5