Pharmacogenetics of Disulfiram for Cocaine

Summary

Previous research has shown that disulfiram, a medication sometimes used for treating alcoholism, discourages cocaine use among cocaine addicts who are undergoing methadone treatment. By blocking the enzyme dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH), disulfiram increases levels of dopamine and produces an unpleasant sense of hyperstimulation and discomfort in cocaine users. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of disulfiram in preventing drug relapse among cocaine and opiate addicts with varying inherited levels of DBH.

Conditions

• Cocaine Dependence
• Opioid Dependence

Interventions

DRUG

Disulfiram

Disulfiram 250 mg/day by mouth daily during study weeks 2-13. Disulfiram discontinued during study weeks 14-15.

DRUG

Methadone

Initial dose 25 mg; increased by 5 mg at each subsequent daily dosing until 60 mg maintenace dose reached.

BEHAVIORAL

CBT

1-hour weekly, individual, manual-guided Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy.

OTHER

Lactose

Lactose was added to both the active disulfiram and placebo doses so they tasted identical.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

  collaborator NIH

• Yale University

  collaborator OTHER

• Baylor College of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Thomas R. Kosten, MD · Baylor College of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2005-01-31

Primary Completion

2009-12-31

Completion

2009-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations