This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of using 1:1 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):Cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis oil as an adjunct therapy to methadone-based Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in a community setting.
This is a single-site, two-phase pilot clinical trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of administering a balanced 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD cannabis oil alongside methadone-based opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in a community setting. Phase 1 is a 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled study involving 24 eligible participants with opioid use disorder (OUD) who recently initiated or re-initiated methadone-based OAT. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either balanced THC:CBD cannabis oil or placebo oil. All participants will receive OUD clinical care, including OAT management, independent of research visits. After the 12-week blinded treatment period (Phase 1), eligible participants will be invited to Phase 2, a 12-week open-label treatment extension study with all participants receiving balanced THC:CBD cannabis oil. Follow-up research visits will occur every two weeks from the start of open-label treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
24
Aurora 1:1 Drops (Indica) is created by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes and the concentrated extract is then diluted in medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil for optimal use.
Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil with the same appearance, color, and taste as the Aurora 1:1 Drops (Indica).
Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RAAC), St. Paul's Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
RECRUITINGIncidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events [Safety and Tolerability]
The safety will be evaluated by monitoring and gathering information on physical exam, vital signs, pregnancy testing, adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE), from the screening visit up to the End of Treatment (EOT)/Early Termination visit. AEs and SAEs will be monitored and recorded throughout the study duration. The proportion of participants who experience AEs or SAEs will be assessed by study arm.
Time frame: 28 weeks
Risk of Treatment Contamination
The proportion of participants using non-study cannabis in the control arm, and proportion of days in Phase 1 where non-study cannabis was used. Self-report of non-study cannabis use will be collected using the Timeline Follow Back (TLFB).
Time frame: 24 weeks
Participants' adherence to treatment
The degree of compliance with the recommended treatment plan, including study drug dosage and administration. This measures how well participants are able to stick to the prescribed treatment regimen and whether or not they are able to complete the full course of treatment. This will be assessed through a self-reported measure, such as study drug diary or treatment logs.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Acceptability
Participant satisfaction with the assigned treatment will be assessed through administration of the Medical Safety Questionnaire (MSQ) every 4 weeks during treatment phase The MSQ is a participant-completed questionnaire that evaluates participant satisfaction with study treatment on a 7-point Likert scale.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Blinding effectiveness
The blinding success questionnaire will be used to evaluate the participants' awareness of their assigned treatment.
Time frame: 24 weeks
Adequacy of Dose
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Patient satisfaction with dose level assessed through the adequacy of dose questionnaire and regular consultations
Time frame: 24 weeks
The number of potential participants referred to the study
Time frame: 24 weeks
The screening failure rates
Time frame: 24 weeks
The monthly enrolment rates
Time frame: 24 weeks
The proportion of eligible participants who are willing to be randomized, willing to initiate the intervention and willing to complete 12-week assessments by study arm
Time frame: 24 weeks
The proportion of scheduled study visits completed by study arm
Time frame: 24 weeks