Overview

Varenicline-Methamphetamine Interaction Study (2008)

Status:
Withdrawn
Trial end date:
2008-08-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
The primary aim of the study is to determine the safety and tolerability of treatment with Varenicline in methamphetamine-dependent volunteers. The investigators also seek to determine the effects of treatment with Varenicline, as compared to placebo, on craving for methamphetamine or cigarettes following exposure to methamphetamine and smoking cues, respectively. The effects of treatment with Varenicline, as compared to placebo, on subjective effects produced by administration of methamphetamine or placebo will be attempted to be determined. Lastly, the investigators hope to determine the effects of treatment with Varenicline, as compared to placebo, on reinforcing effects produced by administration of methamphetamine or placebo.
Phase:
Phase 1
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Baylor College of Medicine
Collaborator:
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Treatments:
Methamphetamine
Varenicline
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- English speaking volunteers who are not seeking treatment at the time of the study

- Be between 18-55 years of age

- Meet DSM-IV criteria for MA dependence

- Must be cigarette smokers, defined as smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day by
self-report

- Have a self-reported history of using MA by the smoked or IV route and provide at
least one MA-positive urine prior to admission

- Have vital signs as follows: resting pulse between 50 and 90 bpm, blood pressures
between 105-150 mm Hg systolic and 45-90 mm HG diastolic; this criterion must be met
within 2 days of admission

- Have hematology and chemistry laboratory tests that are within normal (+/- 10%) limits
with the following exceptions: a) liver function tests (total Bilirubin, ALT, AST, and
alkaline phosphatase) < 3 x the upper limit of normal, and b) kidney function tests
(creatinine and BUN) < 2 x the upper limit of normal

- Have a baseline EKG that demonstrates normal sinus rhythm, normal conduction
(including QTc), and no clinically significant arrhythmias

- Have a medical history and brief physical examination demonstrating no clinically
significant contradictions for study participation, in the judgment of the admitting
physician or nurse practitioner and the principal investigator

Exclusion Criteria:

- Have any history or evidence suggestive of seizure disorder or brain injury

- Have any previous medically adverse reaction to MA, including loss of consciousness,
chest pain, or epileptic seizure

- Have neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as: psychosis, bipolar illness or
major depression as assessed by MINI; organic brain disease or dementia assessed by
clinical interview; history of any psychiatric disorder which would require ongoing
treatment or which would make study compliance difficult; history of suicide attempts
within the past three months assessed by MINI and/or current suicidal ideation/plan as
assessed by MINI

- Have evidence of clinically significant heart disease or hypertension, as determined
by the PI

- Have a family history in first-degree relatives of early cardiovascular morbidity or
mortality, as determined by the PI

- Have evidence of untreated or unstable medical illness including: neuroendocrine,
autoimmune, renal, hepatic, or active infectious disease

- Have HIV and are currently symptomatic, have a diagnosis of AIDS, or are receiving
antiretroviral medication

- Be pregnant or nursing. Other females must either be unable to conceive (i.e.,
surgically sterilized, sterile, or post-menopausal) or be using a reliable form of
contraception (e.g., abstinence, birth control pills, intrauterine device, condoms, or
spermicide). All females must provide negative pregnancy urine tests before study
entry, upon hospital admission, and at the end of study participation

- Have asthma or currently use alpha or beta agonists, theophylline, or other
sympathomimetics

- Have any other illness, condition, or use of psychotropic medications, which in the
opinion of the PI and/or the admitting physician or nurse practitioner would preclude
safe and/or successful completion of the study