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A Strategy to Improve Success of Treatment Discontinuation in Buprenorphine Responders

A Strategy to Improve Success of Treatment Discontinuation in Buprenorphine Responders

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03232346
Enrollment
11
Registered
2017-07-28
Start date
2017-08-01
Completion date
2021-06-30
Last updated
2022-11-07

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

Conditions

Opioid-use Disorder

Keywords

buprenorphine, naltrexone, Vivitrol, opioid dependence

Brief summary

This study is an open--label randomized outpatient trial to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of rapid buprenorphine (BUP) discontinuation followed by brief course of treatment with long--acting naltrexone (XR--NTX) and to compare it to the standard method of gradual BUP taper.Individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) (N=60) who have successfully completed at least 6 months of buprenorphine treatment and do not wish to remain in a long--term buprenorphine maintenance program will be recruited. The first phase includes a 4--week period of stabilization on buprenorphine 4--8 mg at the research clinic to assure that patients are stable, compliant, and free from illicit opioids. Participants that meet the above criteria will be randomized 1:1 to: 1) buprenorphine discontinuation and outpatient transition to XR--NTX with 3 monthly injections, or 2) buprenorphine discontinuation using a gradual 5-week long taper. In both groups participants will receive weekly relapse prevention therapy and will be monitored for the duration of the trial, which is 25 weeks post randomization.

Interventions

Oral naltrexone induction procedure followed by Vivitrol

DRUGBuprenorphine

5-week buprenorphine taper

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. A documented history of treatment with buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone for at least 6 months with sustained abstinence from illicit opioids for at least 3 months. Participants must be maintained on daily dose of buprenorphine in the 4--8 mg range.(MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview by psychiatrist, consultation with previous prescriber or the verification patients's self-report with the prescribing records (PMP) with patient's permission). 2. Aged 18 to 60 years (Clinical interview). 3. In otherwise good health based on complete medical history, physical examination, vital signs measurement, ECG, and laboratory tests (hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis) within normal ranges (Medical history and physical examination by psychiatrist or NP, laboratory tests (serum Chem-20 and CBC, urinalysis), ECG). 4. Seeking buprenorphine discontinuation and willing to accept randomization to either taper from buprenorphine or injection naltrexone (clinical interview).

Exclusion criteria

1. Lifetime history of DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder (MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 2. Current DSM-5 criteria for any other psychiatric disorder that in the investigator's judgment is unstable, would be disrupted by the study medication, or is likely to require pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy during the study period. Concurrent treatment with other psychotropic medication is exclusionary. ( MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview and mental status exam by psychiatrist, contact with collateral information as needed and available). 3. Individuals who meet DSM-5 criteria for any substance use disorders - severe, other than opioid and nicotine use disorder. Physiological dependence on alcohol or sedative-hypnotics is exclusionary. (MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 4. A recent history of binge-use of alcohol or sedative-hypnotics (using large amounts in a short time to severe intoxication or blackouts). (Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 5. Pregnancy, lactation, or failure to use adequate contraceptive method in female patients who are currently engaging in sexual activity with men. ( Clinical interview by psychiatrist, physical examination and medical history by psychiatrist or NP, urine pregnancy test, serum HCG). 6. Unstable medical conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure \> 140/90), uncontrolled diabetes, pulmonary hypertension or heart disease. (Medical history and physical examination by psychiatrist or NP, laboratory tests (serum Chem-20 and CBC, urinalysis), ECG). 7. Legally mandated to participate in a substance use disorder treatment program ( Participant self-report, Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 8. Current or recent history of significant violent or suicidal behavior, risk for suicide or homicide (MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 9. History of accidental opioid overdose in the last three years or any other significant history of overdose following detoxification within past 10 years defined as an episode of opioid-induced unconsciousness, whether or not medical treatment was sought or received. ( MINI interview by therapist, Clinical interview by psychiatrist). 10. Elevated liver function tests (AST and ALT \> 3 times the upper limit of normal) ( Laboratory tests -serum Chem-20). 11. Known history of allergy, intolerance, or hypersensitivity to naltrexone or any other study medications( Participant self-report, Clinical interview by psychiatrist).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percent of Patients Successfully Transitioned Off BuprenorphineWeek 25Percent of patients retained in treatment and abstinent from opioids at the end of the trial

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Regimen 1
Rapid Monday to Friday oral naltrexone-induction procedure Vivitrol: Oral naltrexone induction procedure followed by Vivitrol
6
Regimen 2
5-week buprenorphine taper from maintenance dose of 8, 6, or 4mg Buprenorphine: 5-week buprenorphine taper
5
Total11

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicRegimen 1Regimen 2Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
6 Participants5 Participants11 Participants
Age, Continuous41.7 years49.6 years45.3 years
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants4 Participants8 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
5 Participants4 Participants9 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 Participants5 Participants11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 60 / 5
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 60 / 5
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 61 / 5

Outcome results

Primary

Percent of Patients Successfully Transitioned Off Buprenorphine

Percent of patients retained in treatment and abstinent from opioids at the end of the trial

Time frame: Week 25

Population: Participants who were randomized to one of the two study regimens

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Regimen 1Percent of Patients Successfully Transitioned Off Buprenorphine2 Participants
Regimen 2Percent of Patients Successfully Transitioned Off Buprenorphine3 Participants

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