Placebo-Controlled Cross Over Trial of Chlorzoxazone Intake
Alcohol Abuse
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Alcohol Abuse
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy adults who are social drinkers 21 - 50 years of age.
- Moderate to heavy social drinkers (women=10-25 drinks/week, men=14-30 drinks/week).
- If female, must be non-lactating, not pregnant, and using a reliable contraception method (i.e. abstinence, intrauterine device [IUD], or hormonal birth control).
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
- Able to understand and follow the instructions of the investigator, and understand all rating scales.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens, "ecstasy", opiates, sedatives, pain pills, sleeping pills, or other psychoactive drugs more than twice a week.
- A history of complicated alcohol or other drug withdrawal syndrome(s), e.g. delirium tremens or seizures.
- Current physiological dependence on any psychoactive drug (except nicotine or caffeine) including alcohol, as determined by MD or NP assessment.
- Current enrollment in an alcohol or other drug treatment program, or current legal problems relating to alcohol or other drug use, including awaiting trial or supervision by a parole or probation officer.
- Currently trying to quit using alcohol and/or "recreational" drugs.
- Clinically significant medical or psychiatric illness as determined by screening blood tests, medical history, and physical exam performed or reviewed by the study MD or NP.
- Bilirubin more than 2 times the normal upper limit.
- AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), or alkaline phosphatase more than 2 ½ times the normal upper limit.
- Symptoms of liver disease, as assessed by MD or NP assessment (jaundice, Hx of hepatitis, itchy skin, etc.).
- A current pregnancy, or a woman of child-bearing potential not currently using an adequate means of contraception.
- BAC level greater than 0.05% at the beginning of Screening Visit, Visit 1 or Visit 4.
- Neurological dysfunction or psychiatric disorder severe enough to interfere with assessment of outcome measures as defined above.
- Known allergy to chlorzoxazone.
- Has received an investigational drug within 30 days prior to Study Visit 2 (after screening visit).
- Subjects who are unable to read or speak English.
- Those who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered unable to adhere to scheduled appointments, are unlikely to comply with the study protocol, or who are unsuitable for any other reason.
Sites / Locations
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Parafon Forte first, then Placebo
Placebo first, then Parafon Forte
Experimental: Forty moderate to heavy social alcohol users (women=10-25 drinks/week, men=14-30 drinks/week) will receive either 250 or 500 mg of chlorzoxazone BID (500 or 1000 mg/day) x 7 days followed by 500 or 1000 mg of chlorzoxazone BID (1000 or 2000 mg/day) x 7 days (1st intervention; 14 days), followed by a washout (7 days), and then followed by placebo (2nd intervention; 14 days).
Experimental: Forty moderate to heavy social alcohol users (women=10-25 drinks/week, men=14-30 drinks/week) will receive placebo (1st intervention; 14days) followed by a washout (7 days), and then followed by either 250 or 500 mg of chlorzoxazone BID (500 or 1000 mg/day) x 7 days followed by 500 or 1000 mg of chlorzoxazone BID (1000 or 2000 mg/day) x 7 days (2nd intervention; 14 days).