Using suvorexant to improve sleep for people with opioid use disorder

Evaluating Suvorexant for Sleep Disturbance in Opioid Use Disorder

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10454583

This study is looking at whether the sleep medication suvorexant can help people who are going through opioid withdrawal sleep better than the usual sleep aid, trazodone, so if you're in this situation, your sleep might improve with suvorexant!

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10454583 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of suvorexant, a medication approved for insomnia, on sleep disturbances experienced by patients undergoing withdrawal from opioids. The study aims to determine if suvorexant can enhance total sleep time compared to trazodone, a commonly used sleep aid in this context. By focusing on patients in supervised opioid withdrawal, the research seeks to address a critical factor that contributes to treatment failure. Participants will be monitored for sleep quality and overall withdrawal symptoms using established methodologies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing supervised withdrawal from opioids who experience significant sleep disturbances.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently undergoing opioid withdrawal or those who do not experience sleep issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved sleep quality for patients undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder, potentially enhancing their recovery outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of suvorexant in opioid use disorder patients is novel, there is existing evidence supporting its effectiveness in improving sleep in other populations.

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.