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Galantamine and CBT4CBT Pilot to Prevent Relapse.

Pilot Study of Galantamine and CBT4CBT to Reduce Post-taper Relapse for MAT

Status
Completed
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03547622
Enrollment
6
Registered
2018-06-06
Start date
2018-05-01
Completion date
2019-02-28
Last updated
2022-08-19

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

Conditions

Methadone or Buprenorphine Detoxoxification

Brief summary

The investigators are proposing a randomized pilot feasibility study to evaluate the effects of galantamine versus placebo on preventing relapse to opioid use following tapering from methadone or buprenorphine maintenance (Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT) among adults with opioid use disorder, with additional behavioral therapy (web-based cognitive behavioral therapy) provided across all conditions to help individuals successfully transition from MAT to a drug-free state.

Detailed description

This is a randomized pilot study to examine the potential use of galantamine as an adjunct to the standard buprenorphine or methadone taper in the context of behavioral support. Early abstinence from opioids is associated with high relapse rates and there is a great need to develop interventions that will prevent relapse to opioid use. In this randomized pilot, 30 adults enrolled in the methadone or buprenorphine maintenance programs at the APT Foundation and who have sought a medically supervised, voluntary taper from these medications will be offered participation in a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial of galantamine as an adjunct to standard tapering procedures at this clinic along with the combined approach utilizing concurrent behavior therapy. Primary outcomes will be: (1) successful completion of taper (achieving a methadone/buprenorphine dose of 0), (2) opioid withdrawal symptoms, and (3) opioid use, assessed by self-report and urine samples during and up to 3 months after the end of opioid taper. The investigators will also closely monitor patient comfort and safety (assessed by opioid withdrawal symptoms, adverse events, with measures of stress, sleep and pain) as well as cognitive function (assessed by the CANTAB).

Interventions

DRUGMAT taper with galantamine

Following taper from MAT (methadone or buprenorphine) participants will be given galantamine daily with access to a CBT4CBT computer program

DRUGMAT taper with placebo

Following taper from MAT (methadone or buprenorphine) participants will be given placebo daily with access to a CBT4CBT computer program

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
Yale University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Are male and females, between the ages of 18 and 65 * Are enrolled in the APT methadone or buprenorphine program, have been stabilized for at least one year, and who voluntarily wish to taper off MAT. * For women of child-bearing age, have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening, agree to adequate contraception to prevent pregnancy, and agree to have monthly urine pregnancy tests at the clinic. * Are fluent in English and have a 6th grade or higher reading level. * Can commit to at least 12 weeks of treatment and are willing to be randomized to treatment

Exclusion criteria

* Are undergoing administrative (non-voluntary) tapering (e.g., example due to non-payment of program fees, program rule infractions). * Meet DSM-V psychiatric classifications for lifetime schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or have a depressive or anxiety disorder with current use of a prescribed psychotropic medication that cannot be discontinued; * Current DSM-V diagnosis of drug or alcohol use disorder (other than opioids or tobacco); * Demonstrate significant medical conditions, including asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease, history or current gastrointestinal ulcer, hepatic or renal impairment and cardiac rhythm disturbances or any other medical conditions that the study physician deems contraindicated for galantamine treatment; * Use of other medications including a) drugs that slow heart rate (e.g., beta-blockers),which may increase the risk of bradycardia and AV block and b) NSAIDs; increased potential for developing ulcers/active or occult gastrointestinal bleeding; * Have a screening liver function test (AST or ALT) greater than 3 times normal; * Known allergy or adverse reaction to galantamine

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Methadone/Buprenorphine Dose to 0 mg for Successful Completion of Taperduring 10 weeks of study and up to 3 months after the end of opioid taperNumber of participants who were able to taper to 0 mg from methadone or buprenorphine over 10 weeks of treatment. Data about current medication and dose in mg was collected at the start of treatment (week 1) was recorded on a weekly medical sheet. Data was then collected weekly from participant self-report and verified through the clinic database.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)Data at week 0 (baseline) and week 10 (post treatment)opioid withdrawal score at week 0 (baseline) and at 10 weeks (post treatment). 11-item scale designed to be administered by a clinician. Rates common signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal and can be monitored over time. The summed score for the complete scale can be used to help clinicians determine the stage or severity of opiate withdrawal and assess the level of physical dependence on opioids. Score of 5-12 = mild; 13-24=moderate; 25-36=moderately severe; more than 36=severe withdrawal (Scale of 0 to 40).
Substance Use Calendarduring 10 weeks of studynumber of days of opioid use, assessed by self-report

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
MAT Taper With Galantamine
Following initial MAT taper, participants will be given up to 16mg daily of galantamine for up to 10 weeks of the active study MAT taper with galantamine: Following taper from MAT (methadone or buprenorphine) participants will be given galantamine daily with access to a CBT4CBT computer program
3
MAT Taper With Placebo
Following initial MAT taper, participants will be given up to 16mg daily of placebo for up to 10 weeks of the active study MAT taper with placebo: Following taper from MAT (methadone or buprenorphine) participants will be given placebo daily with access to a CBT4CBT computer program
3
Total6

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalMAT Taper With GalantamineMAT Taper With Placebo
Age, Continuous43.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.4
39.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 19.7
48.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.6
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Medication dose-Buprenorphine2.3 mg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.5
2.5 mg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.1
2.0 mg
Medication dose-Methadone15.3 mg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.1
20 mg13.0 mg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4
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
2 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 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
4 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 participants3 participants3 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
5 Participants3 Participants2 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 30 / 3
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 30 / 3
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 30 / 3

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Methadone/Buprenorphine Dose to 0 mg for Successful Completion of Taper

Number of participants who were able to taper to 0 mg from methadone or buprenorphine over 10 weeks of treatment. Data about current medication and dose in mg was collected at the start of treatment (week 1) was recorded on a weekly medical sheet. Data was then collected weekly from participant self-report and verified through the clinic database.

Time frame: during 10 weeks of study and up to 3 months after the end of opioid taper

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
MAT Taper With GalantamineChange in Methadone/Buprenorphine Dose to 0 mg for Successful Completion of Taper3 Participants
MAT Taper With PlaceboChange in Methadone/Buprenorphine Dose to 0 mg for Successful Completion of Taper2 Participants
Secondary

Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)

opioid withdrawal score at week 0 (baseline) and at 10 weeks (post treatment). 11-item scale designed to be administered by a clinician. Rates common signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal and can be monitored over time. The summed score for the complete scale can be used to help clinicians determine the stage or severity of opiate withdrawal and assess the level of physical dependence on opioids. Score of 5-12 = mild; 13-24=moderate; 25-36=moderately severe; more than 36=severe withdrawal (Scale of 0 to 40).

Time frame: Data at week 0 (baseline) and week 10 (post treatment)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MAT Taper With GalantamineClinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)Week 0 (baseline) Score0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
MAT Taper With GalantamineClinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)Week 10 (Post Treatment Score)4.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.1
MAT Taper With PlaceboClinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)Week 0 (baseline) Score.33 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.58
MAT Taper With PlaceboClinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS)Week 10 (Post Treatment Score)4.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.1
Secondary

Substance Use Calendar

number of days of opioid use, assessed by self-report

Time frame: during 10 weeks of study

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MAT Taper With GalantamineSubstance Use Calendar1.0 DaysStandard Deviation 1.73
MAT Taper With PlaceboSubstance Use Calendar0 DaysStandard Deviation 0

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