Improving Buprenorphine Detoxification Outcomes With Isradipine

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2016-04-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

This application seeks to address the problem of opioid withdrawal by examining the utility of the L-type calcium channel blocker (CCB) isradipine as an adjunct to BUP detoxification. This project will address the need for improved detoxification strategies by assessing the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of adjunct isradipine during a BUP detoxification in opioid-dependent participants. This pilot clinical trial will determine the potential utility of the L-type CCB isradipine to improve treatment outcomes in up to 60 opioid-dependent individuals undergoing a BUP detoxification procedure. Specifically, this study will determine the efficacy of isradipine to reduce withdrawal symptoms, craving, and illicit use of opioids in opioid-dependent individuals undergoing BUP detoxification and determine the tolerability and safety of controlled-release isradipine (10 mg/day) in opioid-dependent individuals undergoing BUP detoxification. Currently, the only FDA-approved medications for opioid withdrawal are the opioid agonists methadone and BUP, both of which have abuse liability. Our findings, if positive, will support a larger phase II clinical trial.

• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Arkansas
• Collaborator: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Treatments: Buprenorphine; Isradipine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Availability to attend clinic 6 days a week for approximately 30-60 minutes per day.

2. Participants must fulfill DSM-IV criteria for opioid dependence. These criteria will be ascertained in the following manner: the physician will determine whether the individual is appropriate based on several clinical assessments that are routinely employed by methadone program physicians, including history and severity of opioid use, presence of track marks, prior treatment history, self-reported and/or observed signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal. If any individual's degree of opioid dependence is questionable, that person will be excluded from further consideration as a participant.

3. Participants must submit a urine sample negative for drugs of abuse other than opioids or marijuana prior to starting the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unstable medical condition or stable medical condition that would interact with study medications or participation.

2. History of major psychiatric disorder (psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar)

3. Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant or inadequate birth control (adequate birth control includes abstinence, condoms, birth control pills, etc).

4. Present or recent use of over-the-counter psychoactive drug, prescription psychoactive drug or any drug that would have major interaction with drugs to be tested.

5. Liver function tests greater than 3 times normal; BUN and Creatinine outside normal range.

6. EKG abnormalities including but not limited to: bradycardia (<60 bpm); prolonged QTc interval (>450 msec); Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome; wide complex tachycardia; 2nd degree, Mobitz type II heart block; 3rd degree heart block; left or right bundle branch block.

7. Physical dependence on alcohol or drugs other than opioids, marijuana or tobacco (as determined by physician assessment).

8. Pre-existing severe gastrointestinal narrowing.