Using Cannabidiol to Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain

Cannabidiol Pharmacotherapy for Co-occurring Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain

This study is testing if Cannabidiol (CBD) can help people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain feel better while they are on stable doses of methadone or buprenorphine.

Quick facts

• Phase: Early Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Yale University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (West Haven, Connecticut)
• Trial ID: NCT04587791 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study involving 36 participants aged 18-70 with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Over approximately four weeks, participants will receive varying doses of Cannabidiol (CBD) or a placebo, with assessments of pain sensitivity, opioid craving, cognitive performance, and safety. The study aims to evaluate the effects of CBD on pain and opioid-related outcomes while participants are on stable doses of methadone or buprenorphine.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are males and females aged 18-70 with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder and chronic non-cancer pain, currently receiving methadone or buprenorphine treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with other major psychiatric disorders or those not compliant with opioid maintenance treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel treatment option for patients suffering from both chronic pain and opioid use disorder.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of Cannabidiol in pain management is being explored, this specific approach in the context of opioid use disorder is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females, Veterans and non-Veterans, aged between 18 and 70 years old.
* Diagnosed with OUD and currently enrolled in methadone or buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
* Having chronic pain, uniformly operationalized as grade II (high-intensity) non-cancer pain for ≥ 6 months.
* Capable of providing informed consent in English.
* Compliant in opioid maintenance treatment and on a stable dose for four weeks or longer.
* Not meeting DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders other than OUD or tobacco use disorder within the last 12 months.
* No current medical problems deemed contraindicated for participation by principal investigator.
* For women, not pregnant as determined by pregnancy screening; not breast-feeding; using acceptable birth control methods. Acceptable contraception for females includes oral contraceptives, contraceptive depot injections, contraceptive subdermal implants, intrauterine devices, or surgical contraception methods. Acceptable contraception for males includes condoms or surgical contraception methods.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other current major psychiatric disorders deemed clinically unstable by the principal investigator, such as severe depression and/or active suicidal ideation.
* Having experienced major psychosocial stressors recently (≤ 6 weeks before enrollment), at the discretion of the principal investigator.
* Methadone dose under 30 mg or over 150 mg/day.
* Buprenorphine dose over 24 mg per day.
* Having received inpatient psychiatric treatment recently (≤ 60 days before enrollment).
* Candidates receiving products containing either THC or CBD will be excluded. All participants will be asked to abstain from cannabinoids. Prior to receiving the study medication on the first test session, participants' cannabinoid use will be assessed using a quantitative point-of-care urine 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC concentration test with a cut-off of ≤ 50 mg/mL. If a participant tests greater than ≤50 mg/mL, they will be asked to abstain for an additional 7 to 14 days. If 14 days after their initial THC concentration test the participant continues to test positive, they will not be allowed to participate in the study.
* A physician will carefully evaluate participants for use of over-the-counter or prescription psychoactive drugs known to affect pain threshold or pain tolerance (including NSAIDS, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g. venlafaxine, duloxetine), gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline, amitriptyline), anticonvulsant medications (e.g., topiramate, carbamazepine)). Only participants who are on stable doses (i.e., consistent daily administration of the medication for at least three months at the same dose following the last dose change, either increase or decrease) of these medications, and whose dosing schedules allow participation in the study visits, thus excluding instances of single-dose or temporary dosing of the medication, will be eligible as determined by principal investigator. If possible, the morning dose will be administered after the study visit.
* Current, regular use of benzodiazepines, other prescription opioids, or platelet inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel, apixaban, ticagrelor).
* Current weight of less of 60 kg.
* Allergy to sesame seed oil, which is an ingredient of the CBD formulation used.
* Serious medical or neurological illness or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation as determined by principal investigator.
* Participants who have elevation of liver enzymes (ALT and/or AST) 2x above the normal limit or higher.
* Contraindications for exposure to cold temperatures, such as Raynaud's phenomenon and hypertension.

Where this trial is running

West Haven, Connecticut

• Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital — West Haven, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Joao De Aquino, M.D. — Yale University
• Study coordinator: Joao De Aquino, M.D.

Conditions Chronic Pain; Opioid Use Disorder; Methadone; Buprenorphine; Cannabidiol; Pain