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Symptom-Inhibited Naloxone Induction (SINI) for Buprenorphine Initiation: A Feasibility Trial

Symptom-inhibited Naloxone Induction (SINI) to Initiate Buprenorphine/Naloxone and Buprenorphine Extended-release for Opioid Use Disorder: A Single-arm Feasibility Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07439549
Enrollment
12
Registered
2026-02-27
Start date
2026-04-29
Completion date
2026-09-30
Last updated
2026-05-01

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

Conditions

Opioid Use Disorder

Keywords

Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Agonist Therapy, Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Naloxone, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, Buprenorphine Extended-Release

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical study is to evaluate a new treatment approach called symptom inhibited naloxone induction (SINI) for people with opioid use disorder. In this study, participants will receive small doses of intravenous (IV) naloxone at intervals until they feel mild opioid withdrawal symptoms. At this point, they will be given buprenorphine/naloxone under the tongue to help with the withdrawal symptoms. One hour after, they will receive a injection of long acting buprenorphine under the skin if they choose to. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Is it feasible to use the SINI protocol in inpatient and outpatient settings? Is the SINI protocol safe and tolerable for individuals with opioid use disorder?

Detailed description

This is a prospective, single arm, open label, feasibility study involving 12 participants with opioid use disorder who have a clinical indication to start opioid agonist therapy with buprenorphine. Eligible participants provide informed consent will undergo buprenorphine induction using the symptom inhibited naloxone induction protocol (SINI). A study doctor or nurse will administer 0.1 - 0.2 mg of intravenous naloxone every 2 minutes until the patient is in mild opioid withdrawal, defined as a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score of ≥8 and at least two objective withdrawal signs not attributable to other causes. Once this is level of opioid withdrawal is achieved, ≥ 8 mg of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NLX) will be administered consistent with the recommended minimum induction dose in the product monograph and published high dose induction strategies. If the patient opts for extended release buprenorphine treatment (BUP-XR) and their COWS score has not increased by more than 5 points one hour after sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone administration, a 300 mg dose of BUP-XR will be administered subcutaneously one hour after their sublingual BUP/NLX. The following information will the collected * Substance use history * Substance use treatment utilization * Harm reduction service utilization * Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scores / Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scores * Vital Signs (Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) * Adverse events * Treatment satisfaction questionnaire for medication (TSQM) Following the SINI protocol, participants receiving sublingual BUP/NLX treatment, ongoing medication dispensing will transition to a community pharmacy in accordance with standard clinical practice. Participants receiving subcutaneous BUP/XR treatment, subsequent doses will be administered either at a CPAS physician's office, clinic, or pharmacy, as per standard clinical practice. Participants will be followed for 28 days, during which the information listed below will be collected. * Retention on BUP/NLX or BUP-XR, or other forms of OAT * Unregulated opioid use * Rates of overdose and hospitalization * Adverse events

Interventions

0.1 mg naloxone is administered IV every 2 minutes until mild symptoms with COWS ≥ 8 and at least two objective withdrawal signs not attributable to other causes. If fourth and subsequent doses are needed, and withdrawal symptoms are not emerging or are progressing too slowly, the dose may be increased to 0.2 mg based on clinical judgment.

DRUGBuprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate sublingual tablet (2 mg/0.5 mg and 8 mg/2 mg)

If the patient opts for BUP/NLX treatment, ≥ 2 mg BUP/NX will be administered under the tongue Q1-3H PRN for withdrawal/pain/cravings. The total dose administered on the first day determines the starting dose for Day 2. If symptoms persist on Day 2, extra doses can be given until stable, and that total amount on Day 2 becomes the new maintenance dose (Maximum dose: 32 mg/day).

DRUGBuprenorphine extended-release injection (300 mg/1.5 mL)

If the patient opts for BUP-XR, 1 hour after the administration of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, study nurse or physician will subcutaneously administer buprenorphine extended-release injection (300 mg/1.5 mL).

Sponsors

Pouya Azar
Lead SponsorOTHER
Vancouver General Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation
CollaboratorOTHER
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

To be eligible for this study, participants must fulfill all the following inclusion criteria: * 19 years of age or older. * Opioid use disorder as confirmed by DSM 5 diagnostic criteria. * Clinical indication to start OAT with buprenorphine. * Willingness to tolerate mild opioid withdrawal precipitated by naloxone, expected to last less than 20 minutes. * Willing and able to have and maintain IV access for the duration of the SINI * If of childbearing potential and elected BUP-XR, agree to use an effective method of birth control. o Highly effective methods of birth control include hormonal contraceptives (e.g., combined oral contraceptives, patch, vaginal ring, injectables, and implants); intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); vasectomy and tubal ligation. Effective methods include barrier methods of contraception (e.g., male condom, female condom, cervical cap, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge). * Willing and able to provide written informed consent for study participation.

Exclusion criteria

If participants meet any of the following

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Enrollment rateEnrollmentNumber of participants enrolled per month
Proportion of ≥8 mg BUP/NLXWithin 1 hour of first NLX doseProportion of enrolled patients who receive ≥8 mg sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone within 1 hour of protocol initiation
Proportion of 300 mg BUP-XRWithin 1 hour of first BUP/NLX doseProportion of enrolled patients who transition to 300 mg Buprenorphine extended release within 1 hour of first BUP/NLX dose, for those who elect it

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
RecruitmentThrough study completion, anticipated to be 6 monthsNumber of patients approached, eligible, consented
Unregulated opioid useBaseline, Follow up (Day 14 and 28).Opioid use within 24 hours prior to SINI, during the induction, OAT, and follow up
Severity of Opioid Withdrawal (Subjective)Intervention (before, after, and during), and follow up (Day 14 and 28)Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (Score range: 1-30) Mild Withdrawal: 1 - 10 , Moderate withdrawal: 11 - 20 , Severe withdrawal: 21 - 30
Respiratory rateBaseline; 2 minutes after each NLX dose; immediately prior to first BUP/NLX dose; 1 hour and 3 hours after first BUP/NLX dose; immediately prior to 300 mg BUP-XR dose; 1 hour, 12 hours, and 24 hours after 300 mg BUP-XR doseRespiration rate
Heart RateBaseline; 2 minutes after each NLX dose; immediately prior to first BUP/NLX dose; 1 hour and 3 hours after first BUP/NLX dose; immediately prior to 300 mg BUP-XR dose; 1 hour, 12 hours, and 24 hours after 300 mg BUP-XR doseHeart rate
Oxygen SaturationBaseline; 2 minutes after each NLX dose; immediately prior to first BUP/NLX dose; 1 hour and 3 hours after first BUP/NLX dose; immediately prior to 300 mg BUP-XR dose; 1 hour, 12 hours, and 24 hours after 300 mg BUP-XR doseOxygen saturation
Blood PressureBaseline; 2 minutes after each NLX dose; immediately prior to first BUP/NLX dose; 1 hour and 3 hours after first BUP/NLX dose; immediately prior to 300 mg BUP-XR dose; 1 hour, 12 hours, and 24 hours after 300 mg BUP-XR doseSystolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Participant reported experiencePost intervention and follow up (Day 14 and 28)Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM).
Adverse EventDuring intervention and follow up (Day 14 -28)Incidence of adverse events (AEs) possibly/probably/definitely related to the study drug
Severity of Opioid Withdrawal (Objective)Intervention (before, after, and during), and follow up (Day 14 and 28)Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Score (Score: 0-40) 0-12: Mild withdrawal, 13-24: Moderate withdrawal, 25-36: Moderately severe withdrawal, and above 36: Severe withdrawal
Intervention delivery and timingFrom first NLX administration through 24 hours after 300 mg BUP-XR administration, or through 3 hours after first BUP/NLX administration for participants not receiving BUP-XR.Dose and timing of each NLX dose, the first BUP/NLX dose, any subsequent BUP/NLX doses prior to 300 mg BUP-XR, and the 300 mg BUP-XR dose (for patients who elect it)
OAT retentionFollow up (Day 14 and 28)Retention of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone, extended release buprenorphine, and other opioid agonist therapy
Overdose and HospitalizationFollow up (Day 14 to Day 28)Rate of overdose and hospitalization

Countries

Canada

Contacts

CONTACTJames Wong, MSc
james.wong@vch.ca(604) 875-5823
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPouya Azar, MD

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 2, 2026