Suvorexant to improve sleep in people receiving treatment for opioid use disorder
Official title: Phase III double-blind, randomized controlled trial of suvorexant versus placebo to treat insomnia in persons with opioid use disorder
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11309185 · Data updated 2026-11-12
People on medications for opioid use disorder who have insomnia will be given suvorexant or a placebo to see if it helps their sleep, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $5,833,132 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA060708-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309185 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults receiving long-term medications for opioid use disorder (for example buprenorphine or methadone) who are experiencing clinically significant insomnia are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People not on MOUD, people without insomnia, or those with medical or medication contraindications to suvorexant may not benefit or may be excluded.
What this research studies
You would join a multisite, Phase III, double-blind randomized study where neither you nor the staff know whether you receive suvorexant or a placebo. The trial enrolls people on long-term medications for opioid use disorder such as buprenorphine or methadone who report persistent insomnia. Participants take nightly study medication, complete sleep questionnaires and diaries, and report on cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and any side effects while researchers monitor safety and treatment retention. Results will compare sleep quality and related outcomes between the suvorexant and placebo groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, suvorexant could improve sleep and may reduce opioid cravings or withdrawal, which might help people stay engaged in OUD treatment.
How similar studies have gone: A prior pilot study by this team showed suvorexant was safe and suggested benefits for sleep and reduced craving, but larger Phase III data are needed to confirm those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huhn, Andrew S — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Huhn, Andrew S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Testing a medication to improve sleep in people with opioid use disorder
This study is looking at whether the sleep medication suvorexant can help people with opioid use disorder who are in long-term treatment by improving their sleep and possibly easing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
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How sleep and the brain's orexin system affect recovery while on buprenorphine
This project tests whether targeting the brain's orexin system can improve sleep and lower relapse risk for people taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
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RESTORE: Re-Engineering Systems to Treat Opioid Use Disorder for Everyone
A pilot program in California tests a community-engaged approach to making it easier for people with opioid use disorder to get effective treatment.
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Understanding how the brain’s orexin system links sleep, mood, and opioid use disorder
Scientists will study how the orexin system in the brain relates to insomnia and relapse risk in adults with opioid use disorder who are on buprenorphine treatment.
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Sleep therapy tailored for adults in opioid treatment
A tailored cognitive-behavioral sleep program aims to help adults with opioid use disorder and insomnia sleep better and stay in medication treatment.
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Connecting Sleep and Opioid Use Disorder through Brain Chemistry
This project looks at how a brain system called orexin connects sleep problems and opioid use disorder, hoping to find new ways to help people.
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.