Pioglitazone as an Adjunct to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Cocaine Relapse Prevention

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, HOUSTON · Apr 8, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how well a medication called pioglitazone works when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people who have recently stopped using cocaine stay drug-free. The trial is aimed at adults aged 18 to 65 who have a cocaine use disorder and have recently used cocaine. Participants must also be in good physical and mental health, and females must use effective birth control and not be pregnant.

If you join this study, you will first go through a short 5-day inpatient detox program to help you safely stop using cocaine. During the trial, you will receive either pioglitazone or a placebo (a dummy pill) while also attending CBT sessions. The goal is to see if the medication helps you remain cocaine-free longer. It's important to note that this study is currently recruiting participants, and you will need to provide informed consent and have support from two people who can help keep track of your whereabouts during the trial.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 to 65 years old
• • meet DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for cocaine use disorder
• • report recent cocaine use, verified by at least one positive urine drug screen for the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, during intake
• • be judged by the medical staff to be psychiatrically stable and physically healthy
• • for females, be using an effective form of birth control (e.g., barrier, IUD, or sterilization) and not be pregnant as determined by a serum pregnancy test at screening and negative urine pregnancy test at intake prior to first dose of investigational drug (test will be repeated weekly to ensure that female patients do not continue in the study if pregnant) or lactating
• • be willing to be admitted to a 5-day inpatient detoxification program at The Right Step Houston
• • be able to understand the consent form and provide written informed consent
• • be able to provide the names of at least 2 persons who can consistently locate their whereabouts
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • have an acute medical or psychiatric disorder that would, in the judgment of the study physician, make participation difficult or unsafe
• • have suicidal or homicidal ideation that requires immediate attention
• • have another current (≥ moderate) substance use disorder aside from alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana
• • have a medical condition contraindicating PIO pharmacotherapy (e.g., drug- or insulin-dependent diabetes, congestive heart failure, edema, clinical significant liver disease, hypoglycemia, history of bladder cancer) or be taking medications that would adversely interact with PIO (e.g., CYP2C8 inhibitors or inducers, antihyperglycemic medications)
• • be concurrently enrolled in other addiction treatment services aside from smoking cessation
• • if female, be currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on conception
• • have conditions of probation or parole requiring reports of drug use to officers of the court
• • be unable to read, write, or speak English
• • be homeless (live on the street)
• • have medical contraindications to MRI/DTI scans (e.g., history of pacemaker, metal implants, or welding/metal work without protective eyewear)