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AUDPhase 2NCT07333638

Phase II Clinical Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone Implant in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

A Phase 2 study testing low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling) and high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling) in people with AUD, run by Shenzhen Sciencare Medical Industries Co., Ltd. at 1 site in China.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial. The study plans to enroll 210 adult patients with alcohol use disorder. After signing the informed consent form and undergoing screening based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
AUD
What is being tested?
low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling) and high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling)
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
210 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
3 Apr 2023to 10 Oct 2024
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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Voluntarily participate in the clinical study; fully understand and are informed about the study and sign the informed consent form; willing and able to comply with and complete all trial procedures; |
  • Age ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent form; |
  • Diagnosis of moderate or severe Alcohol Use Disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (meeting four or more diagnostic criteria, see Appendix 1 for details); |
  • Completed detoxification treatment and had no significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms for at least one week (≥7 days) prior to randomization/administration [Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar) score <7 points (see Appendix 2 for specific assessment method)]; |
  • Able to provide Timeline Followback (TLFB) alcohol use information for the 2 weeks during detoxification and/or prior to screening; |
  • Had at least two heavy drinking days per week during the 4 weeks of detoxification and/or prior to screening; |
  • Qualified subjects of childbearing potential (male and female) must agree to use effective contraceptive methods (hormonal or barrier method or abstinence) with their partner during the trial period.

Who cannot join

  • The investigator judges that participation in this study is not in the best interest of the subject, or any other condition that would make it unsafe for the subject to participate in the study; |
  • Pregnancy, positive pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential, or lactating women, including women of childbearing potential planning to become pregnant during the study period. Note: Women of childbearing potential here refer to women capable of becoming pregnant. Must meet the following criteria, regardless of sexual orientation or tubal ligation: 1) No hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) Have not been naturally postmenopausal for more than 12 consecutive months (i.e., have had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months); |
  • Significant abnormal liver function (e.g., AST or ALT >2 times the upper limit of normal) or liver failure [including but not limited to: ascites, prolonged prothrombin time, International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≥1.7, esophageal variceal disease] or hepatobiliary ultrasound shows results that significantly impact the judgment of the study drug's efficacy and safety; |
  • Suffering from clinically uncontrolled active infectious diseases, such as active Hepatitis B [Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA copy number >1000 IU/ml], active Hepatitis C [Hepatitis C virus antibody positive and Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA positive], etc.; |
  • History of congenital bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia) or any clinically significant active bleeding, or platelet dysfunction, or prothrombin time (PT) exceeding the upper normal limit by more than 3 seconds, or platelet count <50×10⁹/L; |
  • Previous history of severe pancreatitis or severe delirium tremens;
Show all 12Show fewer
  • In the investigator's judgment, the subject has any severe/uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, hematological, urogenital, endocrine systems) or mental illness (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) or other major diseases that the investigator believes would prevent providing informed consent, make participation in the study unsafe, complicate the interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise affect the achievement of study objectives;
  • Likely to require hospitalization or surgery during the study period, including planned elective surgery or hospitalization that cannot be postponed;
  • Diagnosed with substance use disorder (other than alcohol) according to DSM-5 criteria within the current (within one year prior to randomization/administration) period, such as: benzodiazepines, amphetamines, opioids, or cocaine, etc.; |
  • Used medications for relapse prevention (e.g., naltrexone, etc.) or received systematic psychological support therapy within 30 days prior to randomization/administration;
  • Currently receiving treatment for opioid, amphetamine, alcohol, or other substance use disorders, or received opioids within 7 days prior to randomization/administration, likely to require opioid treatment during the study period, or positive urine test for opioids, marijuana, amphetamines, etc., or positive naloxone challenge test on the day of randomization/administration; 12. Allergy to the investigational drug or its excipients (polylactic acid, magnesium stearate), or local anesthetics; |
  • 13. Currently participating in any investigational drug or device study, or used any investigational drug or device within 30 days prior to randomization/administration; 14. Skin infection at the implantation site or systemic skin disease judged to potentially affect the efficacy and safety evaluation of the investigational drug; | 15. Clinical or laboratory evidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or syphilis carrier/infection. |

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

China1 site
  • The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Address: No. 139, Renmin Road Central, Changsha City

    Changsha, Hunan, 410011

Other trials in China

About this study

Official title: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase II Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Naltrexone Implant in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial. The study plans to enroll 210 adult patients with alcohol use disorder. After signing the informed consent form and undergoing screening based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling), high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling), and control group (placebo + general supportive psychological counseling) in a 1:1:1 ratio. On Day 0, participants will receive a single subcutaneous abdominal incision implantation with either 0.9 g or 1.5 g of naltrexone implant or placebo. Efficacy assessment will follow up to 24 weeks after randomization/dosing, while safety assessment will follow up to 48 weeks. There will be a total of 13 follow-up visits. Except for Day 3 (Visit 3) and Week 36 (Visit 12), which are telephone follow-ups, all other visits will be outpatient follow-ups. The first 24 weeks of the study will be double-blind. After completing the Week 24 follow-up, all participants will undergo efficacy assessment. Then they will enter the open-label observation period, followed up until Week 48.

Conditions
AUD
Being tested
low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling), high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling), control group (placebo + general supportive psychological counseling)
Keywords
naltrexone implant

What participants receive

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

  • low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling)Drug

    low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling)

  • high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling)Drug

    high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling)

  • control group (placebo + general supportive psychological counseling)Other

    control group (placebo + general supportive psychological counseling)

Study groups in NCT07333638
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g )ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling)
high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g )ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Drug: high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling)
control group (placebo )Placebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: control group (placebo + general supportive psychological counseling)

What is being measured

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

  1. Proportion of heavy drinking days during the 24-week observation period post-randomization/treatment

    The "Heavy Drinking Days" are divided by the "Days at Risk of Heavy Drinking", with both calculations ending at the cessation of efficacy observation. "Days at Risk of Heavy Drinking" refers to the number of days participants receive efficacy observation during the study. Drinking rates are assessed based on daily alcohol consumption records completed by participants and their families, using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method. Heavy drinking is defined as "≥5 standard drinks per day for males and ≥4 standard drinks per day for females (In this trial, 1 standard drink = 10 g of pure alcohol).

    Measured: 24-week

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Change in number of heavy drinking days per month relative to baseline

    Specifically, the comparison of total monthly heavy drinking days from randomization/drug administration to the end of follow-up/trial completion with baseline monthly heavy drinking days [calculate monthly corresponding data for weeks 1-24 after randomization/drug administration]; alcohol consumption rate is assessed using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method based on daily alcohol consumption records completed by subjects and their families . Heavy drinking is defined as "≥5 standard drinks per day for males and ≥4 standard drinks per day for females (in this trial, 1 standard drink = 10 g of pure alcohol).

    Measured: 24-week

  2. Alcohol-free days percentage

    The "number of alcohol-free days" is divided by the "number of days at risk of alcohol consumption", with both calculations ending at the cessation of efficacy observation. The "number of days at risk of alcohol consumption" is defined as the number of days during which participants receive efficacy observation in the study. According to the Time-Line Follow-Back (TLFB) method, this is calculated based on alcohol consumption records; alcohol consumption is defined as any recorded alcohol consumption behavior, regardless of the quantity or frequency of consumption.

    Measured: 24-week

  3. Maximum Consecutive Days of Abstinence

    The longest period of continuous alcohol abstinence from randomization/dosing to loss of follow-up/study completion; calculated based on daily alcohol consumption records completed by subjects and their families using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method.

    Measured: 24-week

  4. Daily and Weekly Alcohol Consumption (Daily Drinking Amount and Weekly Total Drinking Amount)

    Daily drinking amount and weekly total drinking amount for the corresponding period; calculated based on weekly data from 1 to 24 weeks after randomization/dosing; calculated using the TLFB method based on daily drinking records completed by subjects and their families.

    Measured: 24-week

  5. Alcohol Breath Concentration

    Random/Post-dosing at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks; measured by digital alcohol breath tester.

    Measured: 24-week

  6. Alcohol Craving Assessment

    Randomized/Post-treatment scores at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, and 24 weeks; assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS assessment: One end of the horizontal line is "0", indicating no craving at all; the other end is "10", indicating extreme craving; the middle section represents varying degrees of craving. Participants are asked to select a number from 0-10 that represents their level of craving based on self-perception. The higher the number, the greater the degree of craving.

    Measured: 24-week

  7. Alcohol Consequences Score

    Randomized/Post-treatment at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24; assessed using the Alcohol Consequences Checklist

    Measured: 24-week

  8. Individual and Social Functioning Status

    Assessment of individual and social functioning status at random/4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-treatment; Evaluated based on the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale:

    A total score of 71-100 indicates no difficulty or only mild difficulty in social functioning and interpersonal relationships A total score of 31-70 indicates varying degrees of impairment in social functioning and interpersonal relationships A total score below 30 indicates poor functioning, requiring active support or close supervision

    Measured: 24-week

  9. Follow-up duration (from randomization/dosing to last follow-up)

    defined as the time from randomization/dosing to the last follow-up visit.

    Measured: 24-week

  10. The proportion of subjects with poor treatment response

    defined as the proportion of subjects who were hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal, picked up medication, or lost to follow-up due to poor treatment response;"lost to follow-up due to poor treatment response" is defined as having ≥2 heavy drinking days per week in the 4 weeks prior to loss to follow-up.

    Measured: 24-week

  11. Safety assessment indicators

    including adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) (including local AE and SAE at the implant site), abnormal occurrences of vital signs, physical examination, 12-lead or more ECG, and laboratory safety data (blood routine, urine routine, clinical biochemistry, and coagulation routine) before and after treatment.

    Measured: 48-week

Timeline

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

  1. First posted12 Jan 2026
  2. Study start3 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion27 Sep 2024
  4. Study completion10 Oct 2024

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
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
210 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07333638
Sponsor's protocol ID
SK2007-NQT-201
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
30 Dec 2025
Last updated
12 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing low-dose group (naltrexone implant 0.9 g + general supportive psychological counseling) and high-dose group (naltrexone implant 1.5 g + general supportive psychological counseling) in people with AUD, run by Shenzhen Sciencare Medical Industries Co., Ltd. at 1 site in China.

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 7 inclusion and 12 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 12 Jan 2026. 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 China. 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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

Proportion of heavy drinking days during the 24-week observation period post-randomization/treatment (time frame: 24-week). 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 12 Jan 2026.

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