Treatment of chronic low-back pain with low-dose naltrexone and acetaminophen combination: a small, randomized, double-Blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with an open-label extension for none-responders

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient is a male or female 18 years of age or older.
2. A clinical diagnosis of nonmalignant, chronic low back pain (CLBP). LBP, as defined by Quebec Task Force in class 1 - pain without radiation and class 2 - pain with proximal radiation above the knee. CLBP is defined as being present for at least several hours a day, at least half the days in the previous 6 months, and being the principal pain condition. (In accordance with the NIH 2013 Task Force on Research Standards for Chronic Low Back Pain).
3. The 24-hour average pain intensity (API) mean score for the baseline period is ≥ 4 and ≤ 8, [measured on the 11-point (0-10) numeric rating scale (NRS)] with each individual score ≥ 3. In addition, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score during the Randomization Visit is ≥ 30% and ≤ 60%.

5. The patient agrees to refrain from taking opiate medications from Visit 1 to 7 days after the last dose of the study drug.

6. The patient agrees to limit their rescue pain medications to acetaminophen 2000 mg per day for the duration of the study.

7. The patient is willing and able to discontinue use of non-pharmacological pain management modalities (e.g. TENS, physical therapy, chiropractic manipulations, biofeedback, and acupuncture) for the duration of the study.

8. The patient has been taking a stable dose of a medication with pain prevention potential for at least 6 weeks prior to the screening visit and agrees to not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication with pain prevention potential during the study period. (E.g., tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), herbal preparations (e.g. feverfew or St. John's wort)). Botulinum toxin injections and steroid injections to the spine must be discontinued six months prior to Visit 1.

9. The patient is able to complete study questionnaires, comply with the study requirements and restrictions, and willing to provide written informed consent and authorize HIPAA.

10. The patient agrees not to undergo any elective surgery, including spine surgery or injections to the spine (e.g. botulinum toxin, steroid, etc.) for the duration of the study.

11. The Female patient who is premenopausal or postmenopausal less than 1 year, or have not had surgical sterilization (i.e., tubal ligation, partial or complete hysterectomy) must have a negative serum pregnancy test, be non-lactating, and commit to using adequate and reliable contraception throughout the study (e.g., barrier with additional spermicidal, intra-uterine device, hormonal contraception). Male patients must be surgically sterile or commit to the use of 2 different methods of birth control during the study and for 28 days after the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has any condition consistent with Quebec Task Force Classification 3-11.
2. The patient has another painful condition that may require analgesic medications, occurring regularly or intermittently (e.g. menstrual pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendinitis, etc.).

The patient has concomitant migraine unless he/she treats migraine attacks only with ergotamine or triptans.

4. Regular use of the following medications for any reason: acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antipsychotic drugs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, muscle relaxants, blood thinning medications (e.g., warfarin or heparin), or cannabinoids. Low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease prophylaxis is permitted.

5. Diagnosis of any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition; this includes, chronic unstable debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, significant renal impairment, significant hepatic impairment, etc.

6. The patient has a history or diagnosis of moderate-to-severe hepatic or renal impairment (>2 × the upper limit of normal [ULN] for alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase. ≥1.5 × ULN for Alkaline Phosphatase, bilirubin, BUN, or Creatinine). (Patients with elevated bilirubin level due to Gilbert's syndrome are allowed).

7. The patient has a history of the previous 5 years of abuse of any drug, prescription, illicit, or alcohol.

8. The Female patient is pregnant or breastfeeding. The Male patient is not practicing 2 different methods of birth control with their partner during the study, and for 28 days after the investigational drug last dose or will not remain abstinent during the study, and for 28 days after the last dose.

9. The patient has known-hypersensitivity to components of the investigational drug.

10. Participation in another study with an investigational drug within 30 days before Visit 1 or during the study.

11. The patient is in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable to participate in this study for any other reason.