Methamphetamine DependencePhase 2NCT01365819
Varenicline for Methamphetamine Dependence
A Phase 2 study testing Varenicline in people with Methamphetamine Dependence and Substance Abuse, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a source of continuing danger for both individuals and society. While there are some behavioral treatments, they are not always effective. To date, there are no medications available to treatment methamphetamine dependence. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Methamphetamine Dependence, Substance Abuse, Methamphetamine Abuse
- What is being tested?
- Varenicline
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Feb 2012to Aug 2014
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Contact site for additional information.
Who cannot join
- Contact site for additional information.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
UCLA Vine Street Clinic
Los Angeles, California, 90036
About this study
Official title: Varenicline for Methamphetamine Dependence: Phase II Clinical Trial
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a source of continuing danger for both individuals and society. While there are some behavioral treatments, they are not always effective. To date, there are no medications available to treatment methamphetamine dependence. There is some early evidence suggesting that varenicline (also known as Chantix(tm)) may help people to stop or reduce their use of methamphetamine. Varenicline is already on the market in the U.S. for cigarette smoking cessation and shows promise for treating alcohol dependence. In order to determine if varenicline can help people stop using methamphetamine, we will enroll 90 methamphetamine-dependent people who are looking for treatment into the study at the UCLA Vine Street Clinic operated by Dr Shoptaw of UCLA. Half will receive varenicline (n=45) and half will receive placebo (n=45) which will be determined randomly. Everyone will receive talk therapy for methamphetamine dependence. People will take the medication for 9 weeks followed by a 4 week follow-up period. Before receiving any medication, participants will complete a maximum 2 week (6 study visits) lead-in to complete baseline assessments, psychological and medical evaluation, and comprehensive assessment of drug use to determine study eligibility. If a person is eligible for the study, s/he will receive either varenicline or placebo. Participants will visit the UCLA Vine Street Clinic (UCLA VSC) three times a week study visits. At the end of the medication phase, subjects will complete a four week follow up period for safety monitoring.
Read the detailed description
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a significant source of deleterious consequences to individual and public health including HIV infection, psychological distress, and cardiovascular disease. Behavioral treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management are available, but are modestly effective. Although pharmacotherapy may improve treatment outcomes, ten years of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of medications for MA dependence have failed to identify a medication with a robust effect in generalized populations of MA users.
Cholinergic mechanisms are important in the neurobiology of MA dependence. Varenicline is a α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist and α7 nicotinic receptor full agonist that is approved for cigarette smoking cessation and shows promise for treating alcohol dependence. Varenicline may be effective for the treatment of MA dependence due to: (1) restoration of MA-related dopaminergic deficits via binding to α4β2 receptors in striatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons, (2) reductions in cigarette smoking and the associated nicotine-mediated potentiation of MA effects, (3) activation of the nicotinic cholinergic systems that mediate reductions in reinstatement of MA seeking seen with cannabinoid receptor antagonists and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, (4) relief of MA-related glutamatergic deficits via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor activation, and (5) reduction in MA-related cognitive dysfunction via the cognitive enhancing effects of cholinergic agonists.
The investigators will enroll 90 treatment seeking, MA-dependent participants who will be randomly assigned to receive varenicline (n=45) or placebo (n=45), in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for 9 weeks followed by a 4 week follow-up period. Prior to enrollment in the trial, participants will complete a maximum 2 week (6 study visits) lead-in to complete baseline assessments, psychological and medical evaluation, and comprehensive assessment of drug use to determine study eligibility. Once determined to be eligible for the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to varenicline or placebo and will start study medication. Similar to smoking cessation treatment, participants will undergo dose escalation to varenicline 1 mg BID (or placebo BID) over one week as outpatients. Participants will have regular clinic visits at the UCLA Vine Street Clinic (UCLA VSC) for thrice-weekly study visits. At the end of the medication phase, subjects will complete a four-week follow up period for safety monitoring.
- Being tested
- Varenicline, Placebo
- Keywords
- Crystal meth dependence, crystal meth, methamphetamine dependence, substance abuse
- Medical subject headings
- Substance-Related Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VareniclineDrug
Also called Chantix
Varenicline dosing will follow that which has been shown to be effective for cigarette smoking cessation. Varenicline dose will start at 0.5 mg daily for days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7, followed by 1 mg twice daily from day 8 until completion of the medication period (end of week 9).
PlaceboDrug
Also called Sugar pill
Placebo dose will start at 0.5 mg (sugar pill) daily for days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7, followed by 1 mg twice daily from day 8 until completion of the medication period (end of week 9).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar pill | Placebo comparator | Placebo Receives: Drug: Placebo |
| Varenicline | Experimental | Varenicline (Chantix (R)) Receives: Drug: Varenicline |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
End of Treatment Abstinence
The primary analysis will compare two weeks continuous MA abstinence at end of treatment during weeks 8 and 9 among participants randomly assigned to receive varenicline versus those randomly assigned to receive placebo.
Measured: 9 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Number of Days Retained in Trial
Secondary aims will compare treatment retention among participants randomly assigned to receive varenicline or placebo
Measured: 9 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jun 2011 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2012
- Primary completionAug 2014
- Study completionAug 2014
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Methamphetamine DependenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, Los AngelesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Steve Shoptaw, University of California, Los Angeles
- Investigators
- Steven Shoptaw, PhD, Principal investigator, UCLA DGSOM Dept Of Family Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01365819
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Shoptaw_varen2011
- Status last verified
- Jan 2018
- First submitted
- 31 May 2011
- Last updated
- 18 Jan 2018
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Zorick T, Sevak RJ, Miotto K, Shoptaw S, Swanson AN, Clement C, De La Garza R 2nd, Newton TF, London ED. Pilot safety evaluation of varenicline for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. J Exp Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 24;2:13-8. eCollection 2010.
PubMed 27186086Briones M, Shoptaw S, Cook R, Worley M, Swanson AN, Moody DE, Fang WB, Tsuang J, Furst B, Heinzerling K. Varenicline treatment for methamphetamine dependence: A randomized, double-blind phase II clinical trial. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 Aug 1;189:30-36. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.04.023. Epub 2018 May 25.
PubMed 29860057
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Jan 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Varenicline for Methamphetamine Dependence: Phase II Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01365819
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Shoptaw_varen2011
- Keywords
- Crystal meth dependence, crystal meth, methamphetamine dependence, substance abuse
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los AngelesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2012
- Primary completion
- Aug 2014 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2014 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Jun 2011 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 24 Feb 2017
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a source of continuing danger for both individuals and society. While there are some behavioral treatments, they are not always effective. To date, there are no medications available to treatment methamphetamine dependence. There is some early evidence suggesting that varenicline (also known as Chantix(tm)) may help people to stop or reduce their use of methamphetamine. Varenicline is already on the market in the U.S. for cigarette smoking cessation and shows promise for treating alcohol dependence. In order to determine if varenicline can help people stop using methamphetamine, we will enroll 90 methamphetamine-dependent people who are looking for treatment into the study at the UCLA Vine Street Clinic operated by Dr Shoptaw of UCLA. Half will receive varenicline (n=45) and half will receive placebo (n=45) which will be determined randomly. Everyone will receive talk therapy for methamphetamine dependence. People will take the medication for 9 weeks followed by a 4 week follow-up period. Before receiving any medication, participants will complete a maximum 2 week (6 study visits) lead-in to complete baseline assessments, psychological and medical evaluation, and comprehensive assessment of drug use to determine study eligibility. If a person is eligible for the study, s/he will receive either varenicline or placebo. Participants will visit the UCLA Vine Street Clinic (UCLA VSC) three times a week study visits. At the end of the medication phase, subjects will complete a four week follow up period for safety monitoring.
Detailed description
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a significant source of deleterious consequences to individual and public health including HIV infection, psychological distress, and cardiovascular disease. Behavioral treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management are available, but are modestly effective. Although pharmacotherapy may improve treatment outcomes, ten years of randomized, placebo-controlled trials of medications for MA dependence have failed to identify a medication with a robust effect in generalized populations of MA users.
Cholinergic mechanisms are important in the neurobiology of MA dependence. Varenicline is a α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist and α7 nicotinic receptor full agonist that is approved for cigarette smoking cessation and shows promise for treating alcohol dependence. Varenicline may be effective for the treatment of MA dependence due to: (1) restoration of MA-related dopaminergic deficits via binding to α4β2 receptors in striatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons, (2) reductions in cigarette smoking and the associated nicotine-mediated potentiation of MA effects, (3) activation of the nicotinic cholinergic systems that mediate reductions in reinstatement of MA seeking seen with cannabinoid receptor antagonists and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, (4) relief of MA-related glutamatergic deficits via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor activation, and (5) reduction in MA-related cognitive dysfunction via the cognitive enhancing effects of cholinergic agonists.
The investigators will enroll 90 treatment seeking, MA-dependent participants who will be randomly assigned to receive varenicline (n=45) or placebo (n=45), in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for 9 weeks followed by a 4 week follow-up period. Prior to enrollment in the trial, participants will complete a maximum 2 week (6 study visits) lead-in to complete baseline assessments, psychological and medical evaluation, and comprehensive assessment of drug use to determine study eligibility. Once determined to be eligible for the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to varenicline or placebo and will start study medication. Similar to smoking cessation treatment, participants will undergo dose escalation to varenicline 1 mg BID (or placebo BID) over one week as outpatients. Participants will have regular clinic visits at the UCLA Vine Street Clinic (UCLA VSC) for thrice-weekly study visits. At the end of the medication phase, subjects will complete a four-week follow up period for safety monitoring.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar pill | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboPlacebo |
| Varenicline | Experimental | Drug: VareniclineVarenicline (Chantix (R)) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Contact site for additional information.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Contact site for additional information.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| VareniclineAlso: ChantixVarenicline dosing will follow that which has been shown to be effective for cigarette smoking cessation. Varenicline dose will start at 0.5 mg daily for days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7, followed by 1 mg twice daily from day 8 until completion of the medication period (end of week 9). | Drug | Varenicline |
| PlaceboAlso: Sugar pillPlacebo dose will start at 0.5 mg (sugar pill) daily for days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7, followed by 1 mg twice daily from day 8 until completion of the medication period (end of week 9). | Drug | Sugar pill |
Primary outcome
End of Treatment Abstinence
Time frame: 9 weeks
The primary analysis will compare two weeks continuous MA abstinence at end of treatment during weeks 8 and 9 among participants randomly assigned to receive varenicline versus those randomly assigned to receive placebo.
1 secondary outcome
Number of Days Retained in Trial
Time frame: 9 weeks
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Jan 2018.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 27186086Zorick T, Sevak RJ, Miotto K, Shoptaw S, Swanson AN, Clement C, De La Garza R 2nd, Newton TF, London ED. Pilot safety evaluation of varenicline for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. J Exp Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 24;2:13-8. eCollection 2010.
- Results publication: PubMed 29860057Briones M, Shoptaw S, Cook R, Worley M, Swanson AN, Moody DE, Fang WB, Tsuang J, Furst B, Heinzerling K. Varenicline treatment for methamphetamine dependence: A randomized, double-blind phase II clinical trial. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 Aug 1;189:30-36. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.04.023. Epub 2018 May 25.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Steven Shoptaw, PhD principal investigator
UCLA DGSOM Dept Of Family Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Varenicline in people with Methamphetamine Dependence and Substance Abuse, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jan 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 Feb 2017). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
End of Treatment Abstinence (time frame: 9 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01365819, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jan 2018; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.