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Opioid Use DisorderPhase 2NCT04234191

Comparing Rapid Micro-Induction and Standard Induction of Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

A Phase 2 study testing Buprenorphine/naloxone and Hydromorphone in people with Opioid Use Disorder, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

The current first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Canada is buprenorphine/naloxone (bup/nx). The standard induction method of bup/nx requires patients to be abstinent from opioids and thereby experience withdrawal symptoms prior to induction, which can be a major barrier in starting treatment. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Opioid Use Disorder
What is being tested?
Buprenorphine/naloxone and Hydromorphone
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
18 Aug 2021to Jan 2025
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 19 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 diagnostic criteria;
  • Individuals seeking Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT);
  • Be 19 years of age or older;
  • Be willing and able to adhere to the study protocol and follow-up schedule;
  • Be able to provide written informed consent to participate in the clinical trial.
  • If female and of childbearing potential, agree to use an effective method of birth control approved by the study investigators throughout the study.

Who cannot join

  • Diagnosis of severe medical or psychiatric conditions contraindicated for buprenorphine/naloxone or hydromorphone treatment;
  • Anticipated deterioration of health due to discontinuation of medications that are contraindicated with buprenorphine/naloxone and/or hydromorphone;
  • Positive pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential;
  • Methadone use in the past 5 days;
  • Buprenorphine use in the past 5 days;
  • Known allergy or sensitivity to buprenorphine/naloxone and/or hydromorphone;
  • Anticipation that the patient may need to initiate pharmacological treatment during the trial that is deemed unsafe by the study physician or could prevent study completion;
  • Unwilling or unable to use an effective method of birth control approved by the study investigators throughout the study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM contact

604-875-4111 ext. 54788

pouya.rezazadeh-azar@ubc.ca

James Wong, MSc contact

604-875-5823

james.wong@vch.ca

Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Vancouver General Hospital

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9

    Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM, 604-875-4111 ext. 54788, pouya.rezazadeh-azar@ubc.ca

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Comparing Rapid Micro-Induction and Standard Induction of Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The current first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Canada is buprenorphine/naloxone (bup/nx). The standard induction method of bup/nx requires patients to be abstinent from opioids and thereby experience withdrawal symptoms prior to induction, which can be a major barrier in starting treatment. Rapid micro-induction (also known as micro-dosing, low-dose induction) involves the administration of small, frequent does of bup/nx and removes the need for a period of withdrawal prior to the start of treatment. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of rapid micro-induction versus standard induction of bup/nx in patients with OUD.

Read the detailed description

This is a randomized, controlled, open-label superiority trial involving 50 individuals with OUD. Participants will be randomized into two arms: rapid micro-induction and standard induction (based on the American Society of Addiction Medicine Practice Guidelines and product monograph) of bup/nx.

Being tested
Buprenorphine/naloxone, Hydromorphone
Keywords
Buprenorphine/naloxone, Suboxone, Opioid agonist treatment, Micro-induction, Microdosing, Withdrawal Management
Medical subject headings
Opioid-Related Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Buprenorphine/naloxoneDrug

    Also called Suboxone

    Buprenorphine/naloxone is an opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder. It is administered via sublingual tablet form.

  • HydromorphoneDrug

    Also called Dihydromorphinone, Dilaudid

    Hydromorphone is an opioid used for managing pain, craving, and withdrawal. It is administered orally via tablet or liquid form; or administered intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly via liquid form.

Study groups in NCT04234191
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Rapid Micro-InductionExperimentalOn Day 1, participants will receive 0.5mg bup/nx sublingually (SL) every 3 hours (Q3H) - total daily dose of 4mg. On Day 2, they will receive 1mg bup/nx SL Q3H - total daily dose of 8mg. On Day 3, they will receive 8mg bup/nx SL once and 1-4mg bup/nx SL Q3H as needed (PRN) for withdrawal symptoms and/or craving and/or pain - maximum daily dose of 32mg. Afterwards, their day 3 total dose will be consolidated to once daily dosing - maximum daily dose of 32mg. On Days 1 and 2, participants will concurrently receive 1-48mg hydromorphone orally, intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly (PO/IV/SC/IM) Q1 to 3H PRN for withdrawal symptoms and/or craving and/or pain, titrated to effect (start at lower end of dosing range). Hydromorphone will be discontinued on Days 3 onwards.
Receives: Drug: Buprenorphine/naloxone; Drug: Hydromorphone
Standard InductionActive comparatorDay 1 is initiated when participants score 11 or above on the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), and when they have been abstinent from short-acting opioids for at least 6-12 hours or from long-acting opioids for 24-72 hours. On Day 1, participants will start with 2 or 4mg bup/nx SL. If their COWS score increases, bup/nx will be held. If their COWS score remains the same or decreases, additional dosing can be done in increments of 2mg bup/nx SL every 2 hours (Q2H) as needed (PRN). On Day 2, dosing will be consolidated to once daily dosing. The maximum total daily dose for Day 1 and 2 is 32mg.
Receives: Drug: Buprenorphine/naloxone

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Successful induction of bup/nx with low levels of withdrawal

    This is defined as the following: participants who remain in treatment until they have received a total daily dose of ≥ 8mg of bup/nx (successful induction), and score ≤ 12 on the COWS (low levels of withdrawal) from baseline to when they reach that dose.

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard Induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Illicit drug use

    Assessed by urine drug screens (UDS) and Treatment Outcomes Profile (TOP).

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard Induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

  2. Drug use behaviour

    Assessed by the Treatment Outcomes Profile (TOP).

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard Induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

  3. Treatment retention

    Participants who pick up their prescription of bup/nx on Day 7. Assessed via the pharmacy database.

    Measured: Day 7

  4. Craving

    Assessed by the numeric craving scale.

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

  5. Pain

    Assessed by the numeric pain scale.

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

  6. Physical health

    Assessed by the health section of the Opiate Treatment Index (OTI).

    Measured: Baseline (both arms)

  7. Client satisfaction

    Assessed by the Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire (TPQ).

    Measured: Day 1 (Standard induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

  8. Appearance of adverse events

    Assessed by an adverse events report form.

    Measured: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Jan 2020
  2. Study start18 Aug 2021
  3. Primary completionJan 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2025 (estimated)

Resources

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
None (open label)
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04234191
Sponsor's protocol ID
H19-03254
Status last verified
Jun 2024
First submitted
13 Jan 2020
Last updated
11 Jun 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There is no plan to make individual participant data available to other researchers.

Publications

  • Sandhu R, Zivanovic R, Klaire S, Nikoo M, Rozylo J, Azar P. Buprenorphine/naloxone induction for treatment of acute on chronic pain using a micro-dosing regimen: A case report. Can J Pain. 2019 Apr 25;3(1):79-84. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2019.1599279. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 35005396
  • Klaire S, Zivanovic R, Barbic SP, Sandhu R, Mathew N, Azar P. Rapid micro-induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder in an inpatient setting: A case series. Am J Addict. 2019 Jul;28(4):262-265. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12869. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

    PubMed 30901127
  • Hammig R, Kemter A, Strasser J, von Bardeleben U, Gugger B, Walter M, Dursteler KM, Vogel M. Use of microdoses for induction of buprenorphine treatment with overlapping full opioid agonist use: the Bernese method. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016 Jul 20;7:99-105. doi: 10.2147/SAR.S109919. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 27499655
  • Vogel M, Kock P, Strasser J, Wiesbeck G, Walter M, Dursteler KM. Chronic High-Dose Buprenorphine Does Not Block Subjective High from Diacetylmorphine in a Patient in Heroin-Assisted Treatment. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2019 Sep-Oct;51(4):377-382. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1610200. Epub 2019 May 2.

    PubMed 31046631
  • Kampman K, Jarvis M. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) National Practice Guideline for the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. J Addict Med. 2015 Sep-Oct;9(5):358-67. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000166.

    PubMed 26406300
  • Wong JSH, Nikoo M, Westenberg JN, Suen JG, Wong JYC, Krausz RM, Schutz CG, Vogel M, Sidhu JA, Moe J, Arishenkoff S, Griesdale D, Mathew N, Azar P. Comparing rapid micro-induction and standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for treatment of opioid use disorder: protocol for an open-label, parallel-group, superiority, randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2021 Feb 12;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13722-021-00220-2.

    PubMed 33579359

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Buprenorphine/naloxone and Hydromorphone in people with Opioid Use Disorder, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.

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 6 inclusion and 8 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 2024. 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 Canada. 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. 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?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM (604-875-4111 ext. 54788, pouya.rezazadeh-azar@ubc.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Successful induction of bup/nx with low levels of withdrawal (time frame: Baseline to Day 1 (Standard Induction Arm) or Day 2 (Rapid Micro-Induction Arm)). 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 NCT04234191, which also lists 6 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 11 Jun 2024.

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