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Medication Development for Opioid and Alcohol Abuse

Medication Development for Opioid and Alcohol Abuse: Laboratory Study in Humans.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03205423
Enrollment
17
Registered
2017-07-02
Start date
2017-08-01
Completion date
2021-12-30
Last updated
2024-09-19

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

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder, Opioid-use Disorder

Brief summary

The present proposal will evaluate the ability of gabapentin maintenance to reduce the abuse liability of alcohol, oxycodone, and alcohol in combination with oxycodone in participants with both Opioid Use Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Detailed description

Currently, the abuse of prescription opioid medications is a pervasive problem in the U.S. In addition, co-abuse of opioids and alcohol represents a significant problem from the perspective of increased toxicity and decreased success in treatment. Surprisingly few studies have examined the effects of combined administration of opioids and alcohol in humans, and no clinical studies have examined the reinforcing effects of this combination. The current 8-9-week inpatient study will systematically evaluate gabapentin because it shows promise for treating both opioid and alcohol use disorders (OUD and AUD). The guiding principle is that a medication's effects on positive subjective responses and reinforcing effects are the best laboratory procedures to date in predicting its clinical efficacy. We will examine the ability of gabapentin (0 mg or 1800 mg) to alter opioid-, alcohol-,and combined opioid/alcohol-mediated responses. Participants will meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate-severe OUD and be physically dependent on opioids. In addition, participants will meet DSM-5 criteria for moderate-severe AUD, but they will not be physically dependent on alcohol. All of the participants will be maintained on oral morphine throughout the study and different doses of gabapentin will be evaluated.

Interventions

DRUGGabapentin

Maintenance medication under investigation for its ability to alter the subjective and reinforcing effects of experimenter-administered doses of oxycodone and alcohol.

Sponsors

New York State Psychiatric Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Participants will be randomized to receive one of two treatment conditions: gabapentin 0 mg or gabapentin 1800 mg/day first. Participants crossover to the 2nd gabapentin condition following a washout period.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 59 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. DSM-5 criteria for moderate-severe opioid use disorder with physical dependence. 2. DSM-5 criteria for moderate-severe alcohol use disorder without physical dependence. 3. No current major mood, psychotic, or anxiety disorder. 4. Physically healthy. 5. Able to perform study procedures. 6. 21-59 years of age. 7. Normal body weight/Within 20% of body weight (for appropriate frame) according to 1983 Metropolitan Weight tables. 8. Current or history of illicit opioid use. 9. Current use of opioids in amounts and/or frequencies that meet or exceed those used in the proposed study (e.g., 3-4 tablets of a Rx opioid medication per day or 1-2 bags of heroin per day). Not seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (neutral attitude or not wanting treatment only). 10. Participants will consume alcohol at least 3 times per week (15 drinks per week for men and 8 drinks per week for women). In addition, they will drink alcohol and use opioids simultaneously.

Exclusion criteria

1. DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder (moderate to severe) on drugs other than opioids, alcohol, nicotine or caffeine (must be less than 500 mg caffeine daily). 2. Participants requesting treatment. 3. Pregnancy or lactation. 4. Current or recent history of significant violent or suicidal behavior and/or suicidal/homicidal risk. 5. Cannot read or understand the self-report assessment forms unaided, or are so severely disabled that they cannot comply with the requirements of the study. 6. Elevated liver function tests (i.e., AST and ALT \> 3 times the upper limit of normal) or impaired renal function (creatinine must be within normal limits). 7. Physical disorders that might make participation hazardous such as AIDS, cancer, hypertension (blood pressure \> 140/90), uncontrolled diabetes, pulmonary hypertension or heart disease (please note that participants will be asked about previous visits to a cardiologist, chest pain, or strong palpitations; if these exist, they will be referred to a cardiologist and excluded unless cleared for participation by a cardiologist). 8. Current major Axis I psychopathology, other than OUD and AUD (e.g., mood disorder with functional impairment, schizophrenia), that might interfere with ability to participate in the study. 9. Sensitivity, allergy, or contraindication to opioids, alcohol, gabapentin or similar medications. 10. Taken an investigational drug within the past 30 days. 11. Current or history of chronic pain within the past 3 months. 12. Taking prescription psychotropic medications that would potentially interfere with study procedures.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Placebo.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration,for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + High Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + High Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Low Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to High Alcohol Dose.Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg)Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely
Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg)Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Gabapentin (Within-Subjects)
Participants are randomized to receive gabapentin once daily at 8am.
17
Total17

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyPersonal11
Overall StudyPhysician Decision02

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGabapentin (Within-Subjects)
Age, Continuous46.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
17 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
2 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 170 / 17
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 171 / 17
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 170 / 17

Outcome results

Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to High Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to High Alcohol Dose.4.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to High Alcohol Dose.8.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Low Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Low Alcohol Dose.4.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Low Alcohol Dose.11.4 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.5
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg)

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg)1.9 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.4
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg)4.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + High Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + High Alcohol Dose.6.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + High Alcohol Dose.9.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.3
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.3.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.6
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (15mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.8.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg)

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg)2.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg)5.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + High Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + High Alcohol Dose.6.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + High Alcohol Dose.10.9 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.3
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration, for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.3.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.6
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Oxycodone (30mg) + Low Alcohol Dose.9.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Primary

Peak Positive Subjective Responses to Placebo.

Self-reported High measured on a 0-100 self-report visual analog scale. 0= Not-At-All 100=Extremely

Time frame: Assessed every 15 minutes following drug administration,for a total of 360 minutes. Peak drug effect is the highest rating throughout the entire testing session.

Population: Participants who completed both the active and placebo gabapentin maintenance phases of the trial.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Gabapentin 0 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Placebo.3.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Gabapentin 1800 mgPeak Positive Subjective Responses to Placebo.2.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.6

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