Testing a medication to improve sleep in people with opioid use disorder

Phase III double-blind, randomized controlled trial of suvorexant versus placebo to treat insomnia in persons with opioid use disorder

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11087688

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.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11087688 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of suvorexant, a medication approved for treating insomnia, in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who are undergoing long-term medication treatment. The study will be a Phase III double-blind, randomized controlled trial, meaning that participants will be randomly assigned to receive either suvorexant or a placebo without knowing which one they are receiving. The goal is to determine if suvorexant can alleviate insomnia symptoms and potentially reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid use. Participants will be monitored for safety and efficacy throughout the trial.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are currently receiving medication-assisted treatment and experiencing insomnia.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those who are not experiencing insomnia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for improving sleep and reducing cravings in patients with opioid use disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with suvorexant in treating insomnia, but this specific application in opioid use disorder is novel.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.