NIH-funded research R01 grant

Testosterone Replacement to Reduce Pain for Men with Opioid-Related Low Testosterone

Official title: Androgen Replacement to Improve Patient-Important Outcomes in Men with Opioid-Induced Hypogonadism

Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10904002 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project tests whether giving physiologic testosterone helps reduce pain for men who are on opioid medications and have low testosterone.

More Hypogonadism research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startSeptember 30, 2020
Project endMay 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$808,444
NIH project number5R01AG066921-05
Project IDNIH-10904002 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adult men on chronic opioid therapy who have or are suspected to have opioid-induced hypogonadism and consent to testosterone treatment.

Less likely to help

Men without opioid-induced hypogonadism or with contraindications to testosterone may not benefit.

What this research studies

Many men on long-term opioids have low testosterone, which may worsen pain. The study will examine whether restoring normal testosterone levels can lessen pain and improve quality of life in these patients. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will enroll men on opioid therapy and administer testosterone in a carefully monitored way to measure pain, function, and well-being. The goal is to determine if testosterone replacement can break the cycle of higher opioid needs by alleviating pain more effectively.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience less pain and potentially reduce the need for higher opioid doses.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary small trials suggested pain and quality-of-life improvements with testosterone, but larger, adequately powered trials are needed.

Where this research is happening

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Basaria, Shehzad — Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Basaria, Shehzad

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.