Fluoxetine to Reduce Cocaine Use in Cocaine and Opioid Addicts

Condition(s) targeted: Cocaine-Related Disorders; Opioid-Related Disorders

Intervention: Fluoxetine (Drug)

Phase: N/A

Status: Active, not recruiting

Sponsored by: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Eric C. Strain, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Johns Hopkins University

Cocaine addiction is a serious health problem with no available medical treatment for preventing relapse. Fluoxetine, a medication that is currently used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, may also be effective at diminishing cocaine use in individuals with severe cocaine addiction. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of fluoxetine at reducing cocaine use in individuals addicted to cocaine and opioids who are concurrently receiving methadone treatment.

Official title: Serotonin Treatment of Cocaine Dependence

Study design: Treatment, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study

Primary outcome:

Cocaine use (measured by urine screen and self-report at Week 19 and 33)

Medication side effects (measured by self-reports throughout Weeks 8 through 19)

Detailed description: Individuals addicted to cocaine often experience feelings of restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and paranoia. Reducing cocaine use can lead to depression. In an attempt to alleviate the depressive symptoms, individuals may resume drug use. Fluoxetine, a medication that is currently used to treat depression and panic attacks, may assist at reducing cocaine use in individuals addicted to cocaine. By increasing serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps maintain mental balance, fluoxetine may lessen depressive symptoms and decrease the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Voucher incentive programs, in which items or services are offered as a reward for remaining drug-free, are also a useful component of substance abuse treatment. Preliminary research has shown that fluoxetine, when combined with an incentive program, is an effective treatment for reducing cocaine use. Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of fluoxetine for cocaine and opioid addicts. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of fluoxetine, in combination with a voucher incentive program, at reducing cocaine use in methadone-maintained cocaine and opioid addicts.

This 33-week study will enroll individuals addicted to both cocaine and opioids who are concurrently enrolled in a methadone treatment program. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 60 mg of fluoxetine or placebo on a daily basis for 12 weeks from Weeks 8 through 19. Study visits will occur once a week. Questionnaires and self-reports will be completed to assess medication side effects and cocaine use. Cocaine levels will be monitored three times a week with urine tests. During the 12 weeks of treatment, participants will also be randomly assigned to either take part in a voucher incentives program or not take part in the program. Participants in the voucher program will receive a voucher that may be exchanged for various items and services for each urine test with a negative cocaine result.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 60 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Currently dependent on opioids

- Currently dependent on cocaine

- Eligible to receive methadone maintenance treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current significant medical or psychiatric illness

- Current use of a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

- History of allergy to SSRI medications

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States

Starting date: April 2001
Last updated: January 31, 2008