Ketamine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Phase 2RecruitingNCT06496750

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center120 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to determine whether treatment response with IV ketamine is superior to treatment response with IV midazolam in adults with moderate to severe MUD. The study design is a 12-week randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing intravenous (IV) ketamine against IV midazolam, delivered over six weeks in 120 adults with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder (MUD).

Effective management for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) remains elusive, despite widespread misuse of this stimulant. Psychological interventions have demonstrated modest benefits, and relapse rates are high. There are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies for MUD. This study explores the efficacy, safety, and feasibility for intravenous (IV) ketamine as a treatment for MUD and will help to determine the effect size for a larger, multi-site trial of intravenous (IV) ketamine in MUD. Participants will receive either IV ketamine (0.50mg/kg) or IV midazolam (0.02mg/kg) over 45 minutes per infusion for a total of eight (8) infusions over six (6) weeks. Medical management sessions with a study clinician will be provided to all participants once weekly (from Weeks 1 through 6). The use of IV ketamine in this trial is consistent in dose (0.5 mg/kg) and duration of infusion (45-minute-long) to other studies of ketamine for psychiatric disorders (such as major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, both of which are often comorbid in individuals with MUD) and substance use disorder. However, IV ketamine has not been directly evaluated as mono-pharmacotherapy in those with MUD yet. Additionally, participants will be asked to participate in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions once weekly (from Weeks 1 through 12) on a non-infusion day.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

120

Conditions

Substance Use Disorders Substance Use Methamphetamine Abuse

Interventions

Ketamine HydrochlorideDRUG

Participants will receive IV ketamine (0.50mg/kg) dissolved in 0.9% sodium chloride in a total volume of 100mL and administered with an infusion pump over 45 minutes. Duration of each infusion may be extended by the Study Clinician supervising study medication infusion if slower infusion rate is better tolerated.

Midazolam HydrochlorideDRUG

Participants will receive IV midazolam (0.02mg/kg) dissolved in 0.9% sodium chloride in a total volume of 100mL and administered with an infusion pump over 45 minutes. Duration of each infusion may be extended by the Study Clinician supervising study medication infusion if slower infusion rate is better tolerated.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria Study participants must: 1. Be 18 to 65 years old 2. Be able to sufficiently understand, speak, and read English 3. Be interested in reducing or stopping methamphetamine use 4. Meet criteria for methamphetamine use disorder 5. Use acceptable methods of contraception during participation in the study Exclusion criteria Study participants must not: 1. Have been in a research study of pharmacological or behavioral treatment for addiction within 6 months prior to written informed consent 2. Be currently in jail, prison, or inpatient overnight facility as required by court of law 3. Have upcoming surgery planned or scheduled 4. Be currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on conception, if biologically female Additional inclusion and exclusion criteria will be assessed by the study investigators at the screening visit.

Locations (5)

Alameda Health System

San Leandro, California, United States

RECRUITING

Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Brain Injury Facility

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

COMPLETED

Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai

New York, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Treatment Response

Defined as having at least three methamphetamine-negative urine samples out of four samples obtained during Weeks 3 and 4.

Time frame: 2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Non-serious adverse outcomes associated with IV ketamine treatment for methamphetamine use

Defined by non-serious adverse events (associated with the IV ketamine treatment) reported during the study intervention phase (weeks 1 to 6). Participants will be assessed for adverse events at each study visit.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Adherence to treatment

Defined by completion of at least five out of eight IV ketamine or IV midazolam infusions.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Total abstinence

Defined as four out of four methamphetamine-negative urine samples obtained during Weeks 3 and 4 (since missing urine drug screens will be counted as positive).

Time frame: 2 weeks

Abstinence from methamphetamine use

Defined by the self-reported days of methamphetamine use as reported on the Timeline Followback (TLFB) from Week 1 to Week 4, Week 5 to Week 6, and Week 7 to Week 12.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Differences in methamphetamine-negative urine samples from Weeks 1 to 6 and between ketamine and midazolam arms.

Urine samples will be collected twice a week at in-person visits.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Differences in methamphetamine-negative urine samples from Weeks 1 and 2 versus Weeks 3 and 4.

Urine samples will be collected twice a week at in-person visits.

Central Contacts

Angela Casey-Willingham

CONTACT

214-648-4689 Angela.Casey-Willingham@UTSouthwestern.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.