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Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist

Varenicline for Methamphetamine Abuse

Phase 1
Waitlist Available
Led By Edythe D London, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 21 days

Summary

This trial is testing varenicline, a medication usually used to help people quit smoking, on methamphetamine users. The goal is to see if it can improve brain function and connectivity. Researchers hope this will also enhance cognitive abilities in these patients.

Eligible Conditions
  • Dopamine Receptor Availability
  • Cognitive Functioning
  • Methamphetamine Abuse

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~21 days
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 21 days for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Dopamine D2-type receptor availability
Secondary study objectives
Decision making under risk and ambiguity
Declarative memory
Inhibitory control - reversal learning
+8 more
Other study objectives
Personality - impulsivity
Personality - novelty seeking
Personality - reward dependence

Side effects data

From 2022 Phase 4 trial • 39 Patients • NCT04011280
50%
Dysgeusia
50%
Anxiety
36%
Sleep Disturbances
29%
Nausea
21%
Agitation
21%
Depression
21%
Headache
14%
Heartburn
14%
Allergies
14%
Cold
14%
Back Pain
7%
Confusion
7%
Aggression
7%
Panic
7%
Stomach Pain
7%
Dizziness
7%
Fatigue
7%
Leg Spasms
7%
Sinusitis
7%
Angina
7%
Increased Blood Pressure
7%
Palpitations
7%
Cellulitis
7%
Rash
7%
Malaise
7%
Weight Gain
7%
Gum Disease
7%
Pharyngitis
7%
Leg Cramps
7%
Muscle Pain
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Low Dose Varenicline
Standard Dose Varenicline

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: VareniclineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
A standard dose titration regimen that is used for smoking-cessation will be followed. The pharmacist will prepare capsules of varenicline for each week of study participation. Under observation by a study clinician, participants will receive one capsule containing 0.5 mg VAR each day (0900 h) for 3 days, then one capsule containing 0.5 mg VAR twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for 4 days, and finally a capsule containing 1 mg VAR twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for the next 2 weeks.
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
The same procedure used for varenicline treatment will be followed. The pharmacist will prepare capsules of placebo for each week of study participation. Under observation by a study clinician, participants will receive one capsule containing placebo each day (0900 h) for 3 days, then one capsule containing placebo twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for 4 days, and finally a capsule containing placebo twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for the next 2 weeks.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Varenicline
2011
Completed Phase 4
~4170

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)NIH
2,607 Previous Clinical Trials
3,329,873 Total Patients Enrolled
24 Trials studying Methamphetamine Abuse
1,510 Patients Enrolled for Methamphetamine Abuse
University of California, Los AngelesLead Sponsor
1,569 Previous Clinical Trials
10,314,227 Total Patients Enrolled
8 Trials studying Methamphetamine Abuse
1,211 Patients Enrolled for Methamphetamine Abuse
Edythe D London, Ph.D.Principal InvestigatorUniversity of California, Los Angeles
2 Previous Clinical Trials
60 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Varenicline (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1
Methamphetamine Abuse Research Study Groups: Varenicline, Placebo
Methamphetamine Abuse Clinical Trial 2023: Varenicline Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1
Varenicline (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1
~8 spots leftby Dec 2025