Clenbuterol on Motor Function in Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of possible or more definite ALS according to the El Escorial criteria
- FVC >50% of predicted for age, height and gender.
- At least four of 12 ALSFRS-R questions scored as 2 or 3 at screening.
- Diminished but measurable grip strength (1) in at least one hand (females:10-50 pounds; males, 10-70 pounds).
- Taking riluzole at a stable dose or not taking riluzole at screening.
- On Radicava at a stable dose for at least 30d or not taking this
- Life expectancy at least 6 months
- Able to swallow tablets without crushing.
- Age: 18+ years at enrollment.
- Subjects are capable of giving written consent.
- If sexually active, must agree to use contraceptive or abstinence for duration of treatment
- Females of child bearing age must have negative pregnancy test at screening
Exclusion Criteria:
- Concurrent illness or laboratory abnormalities that could confound the measurement of ALS progression or interfere with the ability to complete the study.
- Taking any investigational study drug within 30 days of screening or five half-lives of the prior agent.
- No previous exposure to clenbuterol.
- Pregnancy
- Clinically relevant EKG abnormality (arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy)
- Tachycardia (resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute)
- History of seizure disorder
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pheochromocytoma
- Pregnancy
- Have any other co-morbid conditions that in the opinion of the study investigator, places the participant at increased risk of complications, interferes with study participation or compliance, or confounds study objectives
- History of hypersensitivity to 2-agonist drugs such as albuterol, levalbuterol (Xopenex), bitolterol (Tornalate), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline, salmeterol (Serevent).
- The use of the following concomitant meds is prohibited during the study:
diuretics (furosemide, Lasix), digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), and propranolol (Inderal); tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or other bronchodilators such as albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), bitolterol (Tornalate), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine, Bricanyl), salmeterol (Serevent), isoetherine (Bronkometer), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), or isoproterenol (Isuprel Mistometer).
Sites / Locations
- Duke University Medical center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Open label Arm
This is an open label pilot trial in which 25 people with ALS will take clenbuterol orally at 40-80 micrograms twice daily for 24 weeks.