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Evaluation of Tirzepatide as an Adjunct to Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

NIDA CTN-0152: Evaluation of Tirzepatide as an Adjunct to Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Pragmatic, Multi-site, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial (TAB)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06651177
Acronym
TAB
Enrollment
310
Registered
2024-10-21
Start date
2026-01-29
Completion date
2027-10-31
Last updated
2026-08-11

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

Conditions

Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Use Disorder, Moderate, Opioid Use Disorder, Severe

Keywords

tirzepatide, opioid, opioid use disorder, buprenorphine, GLP-1

Brief summary

The primary objective of this research study is to evaluate the effect of tirzepatide, relative to placebo, as an adjunct to BUP on retention, substance use, and sleep outcomes in individuals with OUD.

Detailed description

This is a Phase 2, pragmatic, multi-site, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, intent-to-treat trial. The selection of placebo as the comparator is considered the gold standard for medication trials. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to tirzepatide or placebo, balancing on site and buprenorphine (BUP) formulation (transmucosal vs extended-release). Participants will receive tirzepatide or placebo based on randomized assignment, with "dose escalation" of placebo following the schedule for tirzepatide and tirzepatide dosing being consistent with prescribing guidelines. Participants will be administered a subcutaneous (SQ) study medication injection weekly and attend weekly research visits through 26 weeks post-randomization with longer research visits at 1, 3, and 6 months post-randomization. A follow-up visit for final safety measures will be completed at week 30, which takes into account tirzepatide's long half-life. Duration of participation will be approximately 31 weeks for study participants. Participants will be administered study medication and attend weekly research visits through 6 months post-randomization with longer research visits at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-randomization. Participants will be provided with a Fitbit to measure sleep. BUP is not a study medication; participants will receive BUP through their clinical provider. A follow-up visit for final safety measures will be completed at week 30.

Interventions

DRUGTirzepatide

The tirzepatide pen is a pre-filled, disposable, injection device designed for subcutaneous administration. Each pen is pre-filled with a single dose of tirzepatide and is available in six doses: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg/0.5 mL. A UMC will administer the once-weekly SQ dose of tirzepatide. Consistent with tirzepatide's prescribing guidelines, participants will be initiated at a once-weekly SQ dose of 2.5 mg/week with a dose increase to 5mg/week at week 5. Consistent with tirzepatide's prescribing information, once the participant has received 5 mg/week for 4 weeks they are eligible for a dose increase if needed

OTHERPlacebo

Saline administered subcutaneously with a syringe will be used as the placebo for the trial. The placebo which will be administered by a study UMC. The process for deciding on "dose increases" will be the same for placebo and tirzepatide.

Sponsors

T. John Winhusen, PhD
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Must be ≥18 years of age; 2. Must have moderate to severe OUD; 3. Must, at the time of randomization, be newly initiated on BUP (i.e., within 7 to 80 days) during the current treatment episode, be taking ≥ 8 mg/day of generic buprenorphine-naloxone film/tablets (or the equivalent for other buprenorphine products), have documentation of receiving BUP, including dose and the start date of the current treatment episode, from their BUP provider, and, for participants prescribed transmucosal BUP, have at least one UDS positive for buprenorphine/norbuprenorphine; 4. Must be willing to be randomized to tirzepatide or placebo and to comply with study procedures, including weekly visits for 6 months; 5. Must be able to understand the study, and having understood, provide written informed consent in English; 6. Must not be breastfeeding; if of child bearing potential, must test negative on the study-administered pregnancy test(s), and if of childbearing potential and engaging /planning to engage in sexual intercourse must agree to effective contraception for the duration of the trial through 30 days after the trial; effective contraception is defined as using: a) birth control injection, an intrauterine device, or implant; or b) two birth control methods - for example birth control pills with a barrier method (e.g., condoms, etc.). * If ever of childbearing potential, a participant is considered to not be of childbearing potential for the study if they are: 1. infertile due to surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal implants, or tubal ligation), congenital anomaly such as Mullerian agenesis; are 2. post-menopausal defined as ≥ 55 years old not on hormone therapy, who has had at least 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea; 3. ≥ 55 years old with a diagnosis of menopause prior to starting hormone replacement therapy; or 4. ≥ 40 years old with an intact uterus, not on hormone therapy, who has cessation of menses for at least 1 year without an alternative medical cause, AND a follicle-stimulating hormone ≥ 40 mIU/mL; participants in this category must test negative on the study-administered pregnancy test(s).

Exclusion criteria

1. have a history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (other than pregnancy-related diabetes); 2. have a BMI \<23.0 kg/m²; 3. have any of the following cardiovascular conditions within 90 days prior to signing consent: acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), unstable angina, or hospitalization due to congestive heart failure (CHF); 4. have a known history of chronic or acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, gastroparesis, gastric emptying abnormality, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or other severe gastrointestinal disease; 5. have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2); 6. have previously taken tirzepatide, have taken any GLP-1 analogue within the 6 months before consent, or have a known history of prior hypersensitivity reaction to any GLP-1 analogue; 7. have renal impairment defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value of \< 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or requiring dialysis; 8. have a current, or within the 30 days prior to signing consent, use of, or plan to start during the course of the trial: 1. medications with glucose lowering properties: GLP-1 analogs, sulfonylurea, insulin, metformin, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors; 2. systemic steroids including prednisone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone; 9. have a history of suicide attempts in the prior year or significant active suicidal ideation as assessed by a qualified study clinician; 10. have a psychiatric or medical condition that, in the judgment of the site medical clinician (BMC or UMC), would make study participation unsafe or which would make treatment compliance difficult; 11. have current status as a prisoner OR be currently in jail, prison, or any inpatient overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action or other situation (e.g., unstable living arrangements) that, in the judgement of the site investigator, could prevent participation in the study or in any study activities.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
6-month retention in BUP treatment6 monthsMOUD is defined as buprenorphine (BUP). The receipt of BUP will be assessed thorough self-report collected through a Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) procedure and will be partially verified through urine drug screens.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of illicit opioid-negative urine samples during the 6-month active treatment phase6 MonthsA rapid Urine Drug Screen (UDS)UDS system will be used to analyze the urine samples. Illicit opioid-negative UDSs are defined as being negative for fentanyl, opiates, oxycodone, and methadone (unless the participant starts methadone treatment).
Proportion of UDS negative for non-opioid (and cotinine) drugs and alcohol6 monthsA rapid Urine Drug Screen (UDS)UDS system will be used to analyze the urine samples. Negative urine samples are defined as being negative for: cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, barbiturates, phencyclidine, and ethyl glucuronide.
Treatment Effectiveness6 monthsTreatment Effectiveness will be measured by the Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA). The TEA is a patient-oriented instrument that assesses the participant's perceived improvements in substance use, health, ability to fulfill adult obligations, and to be a good community member. The TEA includes four items, each rated on a 1-10-point scale (from none to much better) yielding a total score of 4-40.
Sleep Quality - Fitbit Charge 6™ (FBC-6)6 monthsAn objective measure of the impact of tirzepatide, relative to placebo, on sleep will be obtained using the Fitbit Charge 6™ (FBC-6). A comparison of an earlier version of the device (Fitbit Charge 4™) to polysomnography found no significant differences in the measures of total sleep time and waking after sleep onset. Each participant will be provided with a Fitbit Charge 6™ when they are deemed eligible for randomization and asked to wear it every night (or whenever they have their longer period of intended sleep) through the final study visit. Data from the Fitbit Charge 6™ will be downloaded at the weekly research visits. Total sleep time is the main outcome of interest.
Sleep Quality - The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)6 monthsParticipant perceived sleep quality will be assessed using the PSQI, which is a relatively brief, validated instrument that measures sleep quality.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTFrankie B Kropp, MS, LICDC
kroppfb@ucmail.uc.edu513-585-8290
CONTACTBenjamin T Kropp, MSLS
kroppbn@ucmail.uc.edu513-585-8287
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORT. John Winhusen, PhD.

University of Cincinnati

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 12, 2026