Targeting GABA and Opioid Systems for a Pharmacotherapy for Methamphetamine Abuse

Targeting GABA and Opioid Systems for a Pharmacotherapy for Methamphetamine Abuse

The research proposed in this application will determine the initial efficacy, safety and tolerability of a novel drug combination, oxazepam (Serax®) and naltrexone (Revia®), as a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine (Desoxyn®) dependence. A rigorous, inpatient human laboratory study will be conducted. The proposed study is innovative and important because it will provide the impetus for the conduct of double blind, placebo-controlled trials to further demonstrate the efficacy of combined oxazepam and naltrexone for managing methamphetamine dependence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Lifetime methamphetamine use

Exclusion Criteria:

• Abnormal screening outcome (e.g., ECG, blood chemistry result) that study physicians deem clinically significant
• Current or past histories of substance abuse or dependence that are deemed by the study physicians to interfere with study completion
• History of serious physical disease, current physical disease, impaired cardiovascular functioning, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of seizure or current or past histories of serious psychiatric disorder that in the opinion of the study physician would interfere with study participation will be excluded from participation
• Females not currently using effective birth control
• Contraindications to methamphetamine (Desoxyn®), oxazepam (Serax®) or naltrexone (Revia®)