Skip to content

Pilot Study of Varenicline to Treat Opioid Dependence

The Role of Varenicline in Treating Opioid Dependence: A Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01436474
Enrollment
21
Registered
2011-09-19
Start date
2011-06-30
Completion date
2012-12-31
Last updated
2013-01-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain, Opioid Dependence

Keywords

Varenicline, Chantix, Chronic Pain, Opioid dependence

Brief summary

The objective of this proposal is to explore the potential of varenicline as a pharmacotherapeutic agent for opioid dependence and addiction.

Interventions

DRUGVarenicline

Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either varenicline or placebo for 45 days. Patients assigned to varenicline and are current smokers will receive 0.5mg by the oral route once a day for 3 days, followed by 0.5mg twice a day for 4 days. After the first week the dose will be increased to 1mg twice daily for the remainder of the active treatment period of the study. Patients assigned to varenicline and are non-smokers will receive 0.5mg by the oral route once a day for 6 days, followed by 0.5mg twice a day for 6 days. After the first 12 days the dose will be increased to 1mg twice daily for the remainder of the active treatment period of the study. Patients assigned to placebo will receive identical looking capsules in a dosage schedule similar to varenicline.

DRUGPlacebo

Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either varenicline or placebo for 45 days. Patients assigned to varenicline and are current smokers will receive 0.5mg by the oral route once a day for 3 days, followed by 0.5mg twice a day for 4 days. After the first week the dose will be increased to 1mg twice daily for the remainder of the active treatment period of the study. Patients assigned to varenicline and are non-smokers will receive 0.5mg by the oral route once a day for 6 days, followed by 0.5mg twice a day for 6 days. After the first 12 days the dose will be increased to 1mg twice daily for the remainder of the active treatment period of the study. Patients assigned to placebo will receive identical looking capsules in a dosage schedule similar to varenicline.

Sponsors

Mayo Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age\>=21 years * Use of opioids at admission to PRC, with daily morphine equivalent dose\>=60mg * Be able and willing to participate fully in all aspects of the study including one month follow-up after completion of PRC * Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Currently using varenicline or other pharmacotherapy for nicotine dependence * Currently pregnant, lactating, or likely to become pregnant during the trial and not willing to use an acceptable form of contraception; * History of a major cardiovascular event in the past 6 months including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary angioplasty; * Known varenicline allergy * Use of any medication (e.g., methadone, Suboxone) as maintenance therapy for opiate addiction * Identification of illicit drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine) on the baseline urine toxicology screen

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
assessment of opioid withdrawal symptoms45 daysDuring their treatment, patients are closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team, and there are regular assessments of pain, depression, substance use, and pain-related physical and emotional functioning
Assessment of cravings at one month following opioid tapering45 daysDuring their treatment, patients are closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team, and there are regular assessments of pain, depression, substance use, and pain-related physical and emotional functioning

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026