Aripiprazole for Methamphetamine Dependence: Double Blind Placebo Trial

Overview

The purpose of this study is to test whether treatment with Aripiprazole leads to a reduction in methamphetamine craving and use in patients diagnosed with methamphetamine dependence. Patients presenting at the Omaha VA Medical Center for treatment of methamphetamine dependence, and meet inclusion criteria for the study will be invited to participate. Participation in the study will last for approximately 14 weeks.

Methamphetamine abuse and dependence have become a major health problem. The lifetime prevalence rates for these disorders may be as high as 2-3% and can lead to significant medical, psychiatric, and dental problems and can increase morbidity and mortality. Methamphetamine abuse is a pattern of use that leads to problems in one or more areas of life. Methamphetamine dependence is a more severe disorder, often involving biological adaptations to the effects of methamphetamine, such as tolerance to or physical dependence on methamphetamine, loss of control over its use (as noted by several failed attempts at quitting, preoccupation with the next high, etc.), and maladaptive consequences secondary to its excessive use, including the medical, legal, and social consequences of methamphetamine intake. The lack of any FDA-approved medications for methamphetamine dependence has resulted in an increased demand for research in the area of pharmacotherapy of this disorder. While some medications have been studied in an exploratory fashion, there is still a great need for more research in this area. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of aripiprazole (at a relatively low dose of 5-15 mg per day), as compared to placebo in a prospective, double blinded study in participants with methamphetamine dependence, in reducing the use and craving for methamphetamine. We expect that aripiprazole will significantly reduce the use of methamphetamine as measured by the changed in the proportion of participant's methamphetamine-free weeks. Secondary outcomes include; urine for quantitative methamphetamine, self-report of methamphetamine use (as measured by the Time Line Follow Back Scale - TLFB, and Brief Substance Craving Scale -BSCS), caving and use of other substances over the course of the 12 week active treatment portion of the trial. A secondary goal of this study will be to test the efficacy of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to gather data from participants, and its correlation with the data on methamphetamine and other substance use, craving, and medication adherence collected during the weekly visits. Patient's mood and anxiety will be measured through the course of the study using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), and Quality of Life Index (QOLI). Safety measures will include the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Side Effects Checklist (SEC), Barnes Akathisia scale, Fasting Blood Glucose Monitoring, and patient weight monitoring.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Outcomes