← Back to Search

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist

Varenicline for Methamphetamine Abuse

Phase 1
Waitlist Available
Led By Edythe D London, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by University of California, Los Angeles
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 21 days
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will assess whether varenicline, a medication used to help people quit smoking, can also help people with methamphetamine addiction by repairing damage to the brain caused by the drug and improve cognitive function.

Eligible Conditions
  • Cognitive Functioning
  • Dopamine Receptor Availability
  • Methamphetamine Abuse

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~21 days
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 21 days for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Dopamine D2-type receptor availability
Secondary outcome measures
Decision making under risk and ambiguity
Declarative memory
Inhibitory control - reversal learning
+8 more
Other outcome measures
Personality - impulsivity
Personality - novelty seeking
Personality - reward dependence

Side effects data

From 2022 Phase 4 trial • 39 Patients • NCT04011280
50%
Dysgeusia
50%
Anxiety
36%
Sleep Disturbances
29%
Nausea
21%
Depression
21%
Agitation
21%
Headache
14%
Allergies
14%
Heartburn
14%
Cold
14%
Back Pain
7%
Cellulitis
7%
Sinusitis
7%
Stomach Pain
7%
Panic
7%
Angina
7%
Aggression
7%
Palpitations
7%
Rash
7%
Confusion
7%
Dizziness
7%
Fatigue
7%
Leg Spasms
7%
Increased Blood Pressure
7%
Malaise
7%
Weight Gain
7%
Gum Disease
7%
Pharyngitis
7%
Leg Cramps
7%
Muscle Pain
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Low Dose Varenicline
Standard Dose Varenicline

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: VareniclineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
A standard dose titration regimen that is used for smoking-cessation will be followed. The pharmacist will prepare capsules of varenicline for each week of study participation. Under observation by a study clinician, participants will receive one capsule containing 0.5 mg VAR each day (0900 h) for 3 days, then one capsule containing 0.5 mg VAR twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for 4 days, and finally a capsule containing 1 mg VAR twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for the next 2 weeks.
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
The same procedure used for varenicline treatment will be followed. The pharmacist will prepare capsules of placebo for each week of study participation. Under observation by a study clinician, participants will receive one capsule containing placebo each day (0900 h) for 3 days, then one capsule containing placebo twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for 4 days, and finally a capsule containing placebo twice daily (0900 h, 2100 h) for the next 2 weeks.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Varenicline
2011
Completed Phase 4
~4170

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of California, Los AngelesLead Sponsor
1,528 Previous Clinical Trials
10,276,789 Total Patients Enrolled
8 Trials studying Methamphetamine Abuse
1,211 Patients Enrolled for Methamphetamine Abuse
Edythe D London, Ph.D.Principal InvestigatorUniversity of California, Los Angeles
2 Previous Clinical Trials
60 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Varenicline (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1
Methamphetamine Abuse Research Study Groups: Varenicline, Placebo
Methamphetamine Abuse Clinical Trial 2023: Varenicline Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1
Varenicline (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03059563 — Phase 1

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
Arkansas
Georgia
California
How old are they?
18 - 65
What site did they apply to?
University of California Los Angeles
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Did not meet criteria
Met criteria
~9 spots leftby Apr 2025