Naltrexone for Heavy Drinking in Young Adults (NCT00568958) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 4
Naltrexone for Heavy Drinking in Young Adults
United States140 participantsStarted 2008-02
Plain-language summary
In this study, 140 heavy drinking young adults (aged 18-25) will be provided with brief counseling and either naltrexone, a medication that is FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence, or placebo over the course of 8 weeks. A novel strategy will be used for administering low-dose naltrexone, in which daily dosing will be combined with targeted dosing in anticipation of high-risk situations. The main hypotheses are that daily + targeted naltrexone will result in greater reductions in frequency of heavy and any drinking compared with daily + targeted placebo.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 25 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Be between the ages of 18 and 25;
. Report heavy drinking 4 or more times in the past 4 weeks. Heavy drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men on an occasion;
. Be able to read English and show no evidence of significant cognitive impairment.
. That women of child-bearing potential (i.e., who has not had a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or tubal ligation), be nonlactating, practicing a reliable method of birth control, and have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to initiation of treatment.
Exclusion criteria
. Exhibit current, clinically significant physical disease or abnormality on the basis of medical history, physical examination, or routine laboratory evaluation, including AST or ALT levels greater than 3 times normal or bilirubin levels greater than 110% of normal. Individuals with common medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease) that are adequately controlled and who have a relationship with a primary-care practitioner will not be excluded;
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
. Exhibit serious psychiatric illness (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe major depression, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, organic mood or mental disorders, or substantial suicide or violence risk) by history or psychological examination;
. Have a current diagnosis of DSM-IV drug dependence other than nicotine, or a lifetime history of DSM-IV opiate dependence;
. Have a current DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence that is clinically severe defined by a) a history of seizures, delirium, or hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal, b) a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment scale (Sullivan et al., 1989) score of \> 8, c) report drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms, or d) have had prior treatment of withdrawal.
. Have used opioids or concomitant therapy with any psychotropic drug in the past month, except that subjects who are on a stable dose of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor for at least two months for the indications of Major Depressive Disorder, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) will not be excluded; SSRIs are allowed due to their safety profile relative to other classes of antidepressants.
. Have a history of hypersensitivity to naltrexone;
. Be considered by the investigators to be an unsuitable candidate for receipt of an investigational drug.
. The investigators may exclude participants who complete daily questionnaires on less than half of the days between intake and treatment.