search
Back to results

Effectiveness of Naltrexone and/or Ondansetron to Reduce Craving for Alcohol and Drinking

Primary Purpose

Alcohol Dependence

Status
Completed
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
naltrexone (up to 50 mg/day) for 8 days; ondansetron (0.25 mg twice a day) for 8 days
Sponsored by
Medical University of South Carolina
About
Eligibility
Locations
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Alcohol Dependence focused on measuring Alcohol dependence, Alcoholism, Craving

Eligibility Criteria

21 Years - 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion Criteria (alcohol dependent group): Age 21 65 Meets the DSM IV criterion for current alcohol dependence including "loss of control over drinking" (criterion 4) but does not necessarily have signs of physiologic dependence as expressed in criterion for tolerance development (criterion 1) and withdrawal symptoms or use to avoid withdrawal symptoms (criterion 2). Currently is not engaged in, and does not want treatment for, alcohol related problems. Able to read and understand questionnaires and informed consent. Lives within 50 miles of the study site. Able to maintain abstinence for up to three days (without the aid of detox medications) as determined by self report and breathalyzer measurements. Inclusion Criteria (social drinker group): Age 21 65 Does not meet the DSM IV criterion for lifetime or current alcohol abuse or dependence. Consumes, on average, less than 14 standard drinks per week. But has consumed at least 2 standard drinks on at least one occasion in the last month. Currently is not engaged in, and does not want, treatment for alcohol related problems. Able to read and understand questionnaires and informed consent. Able to maintain abstinence for three days. Inclusion for fMRI imaging sub-study (see methodology section for rationale): Does not have metal objects in the head/neck. Does not have a history of claustrophobia leading to significant clinical anxiety symptoms. Between the age of 25-45 years. Does not currently smoke (note: 62% of our current sample are non-smokers). Exclusion Criteria: Currently meets DSM IV criteria for any other psychoactive substance dependence disorder. History of opiate abuse or a positive urine drug screen for opiates. Any psychoactive substance use (except marijuana and nicotine) within the last 30 days as evidenced by self-report and urine drug screen. For marijuana -no use within the last seven days. Meets DSM IV criteria for current axis I disorders of major depression, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, dissociate disorders and eating disorders, any other psychotic disorder or organic mental disorder. Has current suicidal ideation or homicidal ideation. Need for maintenance or acute treatment with any psychoactive medication including anti-seizure medications. Current use of disulfiram. Clinically significant medical problems such as, cardiovascular, renal, GI, or endocrine problem that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion. Past history of alcohol related medical illness such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, hepatic cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis. Hepatocellular disease indicated by elevations of SGPT (ALT) or SGOT (AST) greater than 2 1/2 times normal at screening. Females of child bearing potential who are pregnant (by urine HCG), nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control. Has current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI related offenses). Does not have a stable living situation.

Sites / Locations

  • Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

"Natural" alcohol consumption period -- Total number of drinks consumed during the 5 day observation period
Pharmacological effects of alcohol consumption -- Average BAES stimulation score
Limited access alcohol consumption paradigm -- Total number of drinks consumed
Cue induced brain imaging -- Alcohol beverage cue minus neutral beverage cue activity in nucleus accumbens and insula

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in craving as measured by the OCDS from pre-study to end of 5 day period
Change in craving from pre to post-alcohol ingestion
Change in craving during limited-access alcohol consumption
Change in craving during cue-induced brain activity
Side effects of medications

Full Information

First Posted
September 13, 2005
Last Updated
May 4, 2010
Sponsor
Medical University of South Carolina
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
search

1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT00183222
Brief Title
Effectiveness of Naltrexone and/or Ondansetron to Reduce Craving for Alcohol and Drinking
Official Title
Alcohol Research Center Grant. Component #1. COMBINING MEDICATIONS: ALCOHOL REACTIVITY AND CONSUMPTION
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
May 2010
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
May 2005 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
undefined (undefined)
Study Completion Date
December 2005 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Name of the Sponsor
Medical University of South Carolina
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

4. Oversight

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether naltrexone (an opiate blocking agent approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence), ondansetron a serotonin 3 antagonist medication approved to treat nausea) or their combination are effective in the reduction of alcohol craving and drinking compared to placebo.
Detailed Description
Non-treatment seeking individuals meeting criteria for alcohol dependence N=160) will be recruited through advertisement and paid for their participation. Alcoholics, after baseline evaluation, will be assigned through urn randomization (using a double dummy placebo controlled design) to one of four experimental groups, naltrexone (50 mg/day) (N=40), ondansetron (0.25 mg twice a day) (N=40), naltrexone and ondansetron (N=40) or placebos (N=40). Subjects will take the study drugs for 8 days (day 1-5 being the natural observation period). After a minimum of 48 hours of abstinence from alcohol day 6-8) they will undergo an alcohol administration (priming dose) and motivated free choice drinking procedure (on day 8). Alcoholic subjects will receive a brief counseling session at the end of the study to enhance their awareness of problem drinking and to motivate them to seek treatment. Referral for treatment will be offered.A subset of subjects from each medication group (N=15) will undergo a functional MRI brain scan with cue stimulation on day 7, on the evening before the alcohol administration paradigm. A smaller group of social drinker controls (N=16), recruited and paid in a similar fashion, will be randomly assigned to the same medication groups (4 per group). They will be used as procedure controls for the alcohol administration lab study and as a comparison/contrast group for the brain imaging sub-study.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Alcohol Dependence
Keywords
Alcohol dependence, Alcoholism, Craving

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Factorial Assignment
Masking
Double
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
160 (false)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
naltrexone (up to 50 mg/day) for 8 days; ondansetron (0.25 mg twice a day) for 8 days
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
"Natural" alcohol consumption period -- Total number of drinks consumed during the 5 day observation period
Title
Pharmacological effects of alcohol consumption -- Average BAES stimulation score
Title
Limited access alcohol consumption paradigm -- Total number of drinks consumed
Title
Cue induced brain imaging -- Alcohol beverage cue minus neutral beverage cue activity in nucleus accumbens and insula
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in craving as measured by the OCDS from pre-study to end of 5 day period
Title
Change in craving from pre to post-alcohol ingestion
Title
Change in craving during limited-access alcohol consumption
Title
Change in craving during cue-induced brain activity
Title
Side effects of medications

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
21 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion Criteria (alcohol dependent group): Age 21 65 Meets the DSM IV criterion for current alcohol dependence including "loss of control over drinking" (criterion 4) but does not necessarily have signs of physiologic dependence as expressed in criterion for tolerance development (criterion 1) and withdrawal symptoms or use to avoid withdrawal symptoms (criterion 2). Currently is not engaged in, and does not want treatment for, alcohol related problems. Able to read and understand questionnaires and informed consent. Lives within 50 miles of the study site. Able to maintain abstinence for up to three days (without the aid of detox medications) as determined by self report and breathalyzer measurements. Inclusion Criteria (social drinker group): Age 21 65 Does not meet the DSM IV criterion for lifetime or current alcohol abuse or dependence. Consumes, on average, less than 14 standard drinks per week. But has consumed at least 2 standard drinks on at least one occasion in the last month. Currently is not engaged in, and does not want, treatment for alcohol related problems. Able to read and understand questionnaires and informed consent. Able to maintain abstinence for three days. Inclusion for fMRI imaging sub-study (see methodology section for rationale): Does not have metal objects in the head/neck. Does not have a history of claustrophobia leading to significant clinical anxiety symptoms. Between the age of 25-45 years. Does not currently smoke (note: 62% of our current sample are non-smokers). Exclusion Criteria: Currently meets DSM IV criteria for any other psychoactive substance dependence disorder. History of opiate abuse or a positive urine drug screen for opiates. Any psychoactive substance use (except marijuana and nicotine) within the last 30 days as evidenced by self-report and urine drug screen. For marijuana -no use within the last seven days. Meets DSM IV criteria for current axis I disorders of major depression, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, dissociate disorders and eating disorders, any other psychotic disorder or organic mental disorder. Has current suicidal ideation or homicidal ideation. Need for maintenance or acute treatment with any psychoactive medication including anti-seizure medications. Current use of disulfiram. Clinically significant medical problems such as, cardiovascular, renal, GI, or endocrine problem that would impair participation or limit medication ingestion. Past history of alcohol related medical illness such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, hepatic cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis. Hepatocellular disease indicated by elevations of SGPT (ALT) or SGOT (AST) greater than 2 1/2 times normal at screening. Females of child bearing potential who are pregnant (by urine HCG), nursing, or who are not using a reliable form of birth control. Has current charges pending for a violent crime (not including DUI related offenses). Does not have a stable living situation.
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Raymond F Anton, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Medical University of South Carolina
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina
City
Charleston
State/Province
South Carolina
ZIP/Postal Code
29425
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Learn more about this trial

Effectiveness of Naltrexone and/or Ondansetron to Reduce Craving for Alcohol and Drinking

We'll reach out to this number within 24 hrs