Background: Although substitution therapy has been shown to be highly effective to retain
opioid-dependent patients in treatment and reduce drug use, this population is afflicted by
numerous conditions including depression. Unfortunately, studies published thus far have
reported inconsistent or no difference in response between placebo therapy and
antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Objective: To assess the
feasibility of Desvenlafaxine (DESV) administration among opioid-dependent subjects and
explore its effect on depressive symptoms. Methods: Open-label pilot trial of 8 weeks of DESV
50-100 mg/day in 20 methadone-maintained individuals with comorbid depressive symptoms at the
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal. Significance: This pilot study will lay down
the foundation on which a larger multisite clinical trial could be conducted to examine DESV
as new treatment for opioid-dependent population with comorbid depression.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Didier Jutras-Aswad
Collaborators:
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Pfizer