Clinical Trials Logo

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.


Clinical Trial 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. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00249509
Study type Interventional
Source National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Contact
Status Completed
Phase Phase 2
Start date September 2000
Completion date September 2004

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Active, not recruiting NCT01539525 - Screening to Augment Referral to Treatment- Project START Phase 2
Completed NCT00158249 - Effects of Citicoline on Brain Function and Behavior in Marijuana-Dependent Individuals Phase 2
Completed NCT00842985 - Dronabinol Interactions in Humans N/A
Completed NCT00484302 - Specialized Addiction Treatment Versus Treatment as Usual for Young Patients With Cannabis Abuse and Psychosis N/A
Completed NCT00218478 - Evaluating Responses to Drug-Related Cues Versus Neutral Cues to Understand the Effects of Marijuana Craving - 1 Phase 1
Completed NCT00227903 - Therapeutic Substance Abuse Treatment in Pregnancy - 1 Phase 2
Completed NCT00227864 - A Brief Marijuana Intervention for Adolescent Women - 1 Phase 3
Completed NCT03717272 - Effect of AEF0117 on Subjective Effects of Cannabis in CUD Subjects Phase 2
Completed NCT00142961 - Atomoxetine for Treating Marijuana-Abusing Adolescents Who Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Phase 2
Terminated NCT02102230 - CBT-I for Cannabis Use N/A
Completed NCT00580671 - Treatment for Adolescent Marijuana Abuse N/A
Completed NCT00360269 - Atomoxetine Treatment for ADHD and Marijuana Dependence Phase 2
Completed NCT00227916 - Motivational Interviews for Incarcerated Teens - 1 N/A
Completed NCT03154567 - Effects of Stress and Drug-cue Exposure (SCM) Phase 1
Active, not recruiting NCT05322941 - Effect of AEF0117 on Treatment-seeking Patients With Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) Phase 2
Completed NCT02797990 - Conflict Between Maternal Autonomy and Child Health in Substance-use N/A
Completed NCT01762696 - A Real-time, Contextual Intervention Using Mobile Technology to Reduce Marijuana Use in Youth N/A
Completed NCT03154580 - Marijuana Cue-Reactivity & Seeking Behavior in Regular Cannabis Users Phase 1
Completed NCT00217971 - Dronabinol Treatment for Marijuana Addiction Phase 2
Completed NCT00218517 - Effectiveness of Selegiline in Treating Marijuana Dependent Individuals - 1 Phase 2