Alcohol Use DisorderPhase 1/2NCT03035708
Human Laboratory Study of Varenicline for Alcohol Use Disorder
A Phase 1/2 study testing Varenicline in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, two-site study designed to assess the effects of varenicline as compared with placebo on responses to in vivo alcohol cue exposure in the human laboratory setting. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- 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
- 47 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 May 2017to 7 Jul 2018
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- 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 21 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- To be eligible, the subject must:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Meet the DSM 5 criteria for alcohol use disorder of a least moderate severity (AUD-MS).
- Be seeking treatment for AUD and desire a reduction or cessation of drinking.
- Be able to verbalize an understanding of the consent form, able to provide written informed consent, verbalize willingness to complete study procedures, able to understand written and oral instructions in English and able to complete the questionnaires required by the protocol.
- Agree (if the subject is female and of child bearing potential) to use at least one of the following methods of birth control, unless she is surgically sterile, partner is surgically sterile or she is postmenopausal:
Show all 21Show fewer
- oral contraceptives,
- contraceptive sponge,
- patch,
- double barrier (diaphragm/spermicidal or condom/spermicidal),
- intrauterine contraceptive system,
- levonorgestrel implant,
- medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection,
- complete abstinence from sexual intercourse, and/or
- hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring.
- Be able to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the medication regimen.
- Complete all assessments required at screening and baseline.
- Have a place to live in the 2 weeks prior to randomization and not be at risk that s/he will lose his/her housing in the next 2 months.
- Not anticipate any significant problems with transportation arrangements or available time to travel to the study site over the next 2 months.
- Not have any unresolved legal problems that could jeopardize continuation or completion of the study.
- And others.
Who cannot join
- Contact site for additional information
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut, 06511
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, 02912
About this study
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, two-site study designed to assess the effects of varenicline as compared with placebo on responses to in vivo alcohol cue exposure in the human laboratory setting.
Read the detailed description
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, two-site study designed to assess the effects of varenicline as compared with placebo on responses to in vivo alcohol cue exposure in the human laboratory setting. After signing informed consent, subjects will be screened for eligibility including medical history, physical examination, vital signs, electrocardiogram (ECG), drinking history by the timeline follow-back (TLFB) method, alcohol breathalyzer test, Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-revised (CIWA), medication use, MINI neuropsychiatric interview, urine toxicology screen, clinical chemistry, response to cue reactivity, and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S). Women of child-bearting potential will have a pregnancy test. If eligible for the study, subjects will be randomized using a stratified permuted block randomization procedure in an approximate 1:1 ratio (targeting 24 subjects per group - 12 subjects per group per site) to receive either varenicline or placebo for 6 weeks. Any nicotine use versus no use (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, etc.) in the week before randomization is the stratification variable.
Varenicline or matched placebo will be titrated over the first week of the study up the maintenance dose of 1 mg (active) or two capsules (placebo) taken orally BID for an additional 5 weeks. Subjects will be seen in the clinic at screening, at randomization and 6 other times during the study. A final follow-up telephone interview will occur during Week 9 (2 weeks after the end of study visit).
After the first two weeks and after five weeks of investigational product administration at Study Week 3 and Study Week 6, respectively, subjects will undergo a cue reactivity paradigm session (HLAB) including 4 individual visual analog scale (VAS) items assessing alcohol craving, 2 VAS items assessing emotional reactivity to picture stimuli, and 2 items assessing emotional manipulation. Immediately after the HLAB session, subjects will view each picture again and record the emotion felt using the Self-Manikin Assessment (SAM).
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Being tested
- Varenicline, Placebo oral capsule
- Medical subject headings
- Alcoholism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VareniclineDrug
Also called Chantix
1 mg BID
Placebo oral capsuleDrug
1 mg BID
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| varenicline | Experimental | 1 mg BID (2 capsules BID) Receives: Drug: Varenicline |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | 1 mg BID (2 capsules BID) Receives: Drug: Placebo oral capsule |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Cue-elicited Craving
The primary outcome is cue-elicited alcohol craving, operationalized as the difference in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) craving for alcohol when exposed to an alcohol cue minus the VAS craving for alcohol when exposed to a water cue. The VAS has a minimum value of 0 and maximum value of 20; higher scores indicate more craving (a worse outcome).
Measured: Study Week 3
Secondary outcomes (4)
Percent Heavy Drinking Days
The percentage of heavy drinking days during the last month of treatment (weeks 3-6). A heavy drinking day is defined as 4 or more drinks on a single day for females and 5 or more drinks on a single day for males.
Measured: Weeks 3-6
The Percentage of Subjects Abstinent During the Last Month of Treatment (Weeks 3-6).
The percentage of subjects abstinent from alcohol during the last month of treatment (weeks 3-6).
Measured: Weeks 3-6
Cigarettes Smoked Per Week
The number of cigarettes smoked per week during the last month of treatment (weeks 3-6) computed only among participants who were smokers at baseline (varenicline n=11; placebo n=11). Note: cigarettes smoked per week outcome data was missing for two of the varenicline participants resulting in n=9 available for analysis.
Measured: Weeks 3-6
Penn Alcohol Craving Scale
Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (higher numbers are indicative of more craving for alcohol); min = 0, max = 30. The measure was assessed at Study Weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6. The reported outcome is the adjusted mean total score across weeks 3-6.
Measured: Study Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6 (assessed weekly during this period)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Study start1 May 2017
- Primary completion1 Jul 2018
- Study completion7 Jul 2018
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.
- Other trials for Alcohol Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 1/2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Raye Litten, PhD, Study director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03035708
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HLAB 001
- Status last verified
- Oct 2019
- First submitted
- 26 Jan 2017
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2019
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Human Laboratory Study of Varenicline for Alcohol Use Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03035708
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HLAB 001
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Phase
- Phase 1/2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- 1 May 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Jul 2018 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 23 Oct 2019
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, two-site study designed to assess the effects of varenicline as compared with placebo on responses to in vivo alcohol cue exposure in the human laboratory setting.
Detailed description
This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, two-site study designed to assess the effects of varenicline as compared with placebo on responses to in vivo alcohol cue exposure in the human laboratory setting. After signing informed consent, subjects will be screened for eligibility including medical history, physical examination, vital signs, electrocardiogram (ECG), drinking history by the timeline follow-back (TLFB) method, alcohol breathalyzer test, Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-revised (CIWA), medication use, MINI neuropsychiatric interview, urine toxicology screen, clinical chemistry, response to cue reactivity, and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S). Women of child-bearting potential will have a pregnancy test. If eligible for the study, subjects will be randomized using a stratified permuted block randomization procedure in an approximate 1:1 ratio (targeting 24 subjects per group - 12 subjects per group per site) to receive either varenicline or placebo for 6 weeks. Any nicotine use versus no use (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, etc.) in the week before randomization is the stratification variable.
Varenicline or matched placebo will be titrated over the first week of the study up the maintenance dose of 1 mg (active) or two capsules (placebo) taken orally BID for an additional 5 weeks. Subjects will be seen in the clinic at screening, at randomization and 6 other times during the study. A final follow-up telephone interview will occur during Week 9 (2 weeks after the end of study visit).
After the first two weeks and after five weeks of investigational product administration at Study Week 3 and Study Week 6, respectively, subjects will undergo a cue reactivity paradigm session (HLAB) including 4 individual visual analog scale (VAS) items assessing alcohol craving, 2 VAS items assessing emotional reactivity to picture stimuli, and 2 items assessing emotional manipulation. Immediately after the HLAB session, subjects will view each picture again and record the emotion felt using the Self-Manikin Assessment (SAM).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| varenicline | Experimental | Drug: Varenicline1 mg BID (2 capsules BID) |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: Placebo oral capsule1 mg BID (2 capsules BID) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (21 listed)
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Meet the DSM 5 criteria for alcohol use disorder of a least moderate severity (AUD-MS).
- Be seeking treatment for AUD and desire a reduction or cessation of drinking.
- Be able to verbalize an understanding of the consent form, able to provide written informed consent, verbalize willingness to complete study procedures, able to understand written and oral instructions in English and able to complete the questionnaires required by the protocol.
- Agree (if the subject is female and of child bearing potential) to use at least one of the following methods of birth control, unless she is surgically sterile, partner is surgically sterile or she is postmenopausal:
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: Chantix1 mg BID | Drug | varenicline |
| Placebo oral capsule1 mg BID | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Cue-elicited Craving
Time frame: Study Week 3
The primary outcome is cue-elicited alcohol craving, operationalized as the difference in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) craving for alcohol when exposed to an alcohol cue minus the VAS craving for alcohol when exposed to a water cue. The VAS has a minimum value of 0 and maximum value of 20; higher scores indicate more craving (a worse outcome).
4 secondary outcomes
Percent Heavy Drinking Days
Time frame: Weeks 3-6
The Percentage of Subjects Abstinent During the Last Month of Treatment (Weeks 3-6).
Time frame: Weeks 3-6
Cigarettes Smoked Per Week
Time frame: Weeks 3-6
Penn Alcohol Craving Scale
Time frame: Study Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6 (assessed weekly during this period)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2019.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Raye Litten, PhD study director
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1/2 study testing Varenicline in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at 2 sites 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 21 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 23 Oct 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites 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 combined phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
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 23 Oct 2019). 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?
Cue-elicited Craving (time frame: Study Week 3). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 23 Oct 2019.