Low-dose ketamine during methadone treatment for opioid use disorder
Official title: Low-dose ketamine for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11352145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small clinical study will test whether very low doses of ketamine given during early methadone treatment can reduce opioid cravings and improve mood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $233,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA065852-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with opioid use disorder starting methadone treatment who are able to participate in four ketamine administrations over two weeks.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not comfortable with ketamine, or those with contraindications to ketamine, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study will enroll about 30 adults starting methadone for opioid use disorder at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a low ketamine dose or a minimal psychoactive control, given four times over two weeks, in addition to standard methadone care. Researchers will measure changes in opioid craving and mood to see if the ketamine treatment helps people stay in treatment and feel better during early weeks of methadone. The goal is to determine whether this brief intervention is feasible and shows promise for reducing withdrawal distress and relapses. If successful, the approach could lead to larger trials and new options for people beginning methadone therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lessen early withdrawal distress and cravings, potentially improving retention in methadone treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests ketamine can rapidly affect mood and craving, but this specific early-use regimen is exploratory and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manza, Peter — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Manza, Peter
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.