The Potential of Oxytocin to Reduce Opioid Abuse Liability and Pain Among Older Adults

The Potential of Oxytocin to Reduce Opioid Abuse Liability and Pain Among Older Adults

Some research suggests that administration of oxytocin with oxycodone may reduce its abuse liability and improve its ability to reduce pain. In a 6-session laboratory study, we will be evaluating the effects of oxycodone and oxytocin (combined and separately, across sessions) on experimentally-induced pain, subjective effects, and decision-making.

The overall project goals are to determine oxytocin effects on oxycodone's subject-rated abuse liability, and experimental pain. Generally healthy individuals (determined via medical history review and a screening session) will, after informed consent, self-administer intranasal oxytocin (or placebo, containing the same ingredients but no oxytocin) shortly after oral oxycodone or placebo in a non-residential, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, within-subjects laboratory study. Prescreening will assure drug application safety and, using a validated, comprehensive pain history interview, determine previous or existing chronic pain conditions, including current pain medication use.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals fluent in English will participate.
• Must report some experience with opioids (e.g., oxycodone, defined as use at least once in the subject's lifetime).
• Be within 20% of their ideal body weight.
• Are not currently experiencing chronic pain (pain on most days during the past 3 months)
• Have a systolic blood pressure of <=140 and diastolic blood pressure of <= 90, and a heart rate <= 90 beats per minute.
• Participants must also have a normal electrocardiogram (EKG) reading and bloodwork indicating no major health contraindications.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant current physical disease or major (uncontrolled) psychiatric disorder.
• No self-reported current interest in drug abuse treatment.
• Women who are pregnant or nursing.
• Any severe comorbid illicit substance use disorders or current clinically significant withdrawal for any abused drug excluding nicotine and caffeine.