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Recruiting Phase 4 NCT05028062

NCT05028062 Naltrexone in AUD Reward Drinkers

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05028062
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 4
Sponsor University of Pennsylvania
Condition Alcohol Use Disorder
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 60 participants
Start Date 2022-03-07
Primary Completion 2027-07

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 65 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
XR-NTX 380 mg, intramuscular injectionMedical ManagementPlacebo intramuscular injection

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 4 studies follow an already-approved treatment in real-world conditions to monitor long-term safety and effectiveness.

This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2022-03-07 with a primary completion date of 2027-07.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This study is a phase IV, two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess whether individuals identified as primarily reward drinkers are significantly more likely to reduce heavy drinking if they receive XR-NTX than a matching placebo injection. Study subjects will receive monthly injections of long-acting injectable naltrexone 380 mg (4 mL) or matching placebo. All subjects will also receive 4 sessions of Medical Management (MM). Post-treatment follow-up visits will be conducted at 4 weeks after the scheduled completion of treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years old * Willing to provide signed, informed consent and commit to completing the study procedures * Able to read at an 8th grade or higher level * Current DSM-5 diagnosis of AUD * Reports consuming 24+ standard drinks (men) or 18+ standard drinks (women) weekly on average over the month prior to consent * Expresses a desire to reduce or stop drinking and a willingness to receive two injections of study medication over 8 weeks of treatment. * Either a reward drinker \[i.e., an individual with a score of 19 or greater on the reward subscale and less than or equal to 18 on the relief subscale of the Inventory of Drinking Situations (IDS)\] or a relief drinker (i.e., an individual with a score of 21 or greater on the relief subscale and less than or equal to 18 on the reward subscale of the IDS). * Has a stable address in the local area; not planning to move; has documents for an ID check * Women of child-bearing potential (i.e., who have not had a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation or are less than two years postmenopausal): must be non-lactating and practicing a reliable method of birth control and have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to the initiation of the study procedures. Examples of medically acceptable methods for this protocol include oral contraceptive pills, intrauterine device, injection of Depo-Provera, Norplant, contraceptive patch, contraceptive ring, double-barrier methods (such as condoms and diaphragm/spermicide), male partner sterilization, abstinence (and agreement to continue abstinence or to use an acceptable method of contraception, as listed above, should sexual activity commence). Exclusion Criteria: * Planned surgery within the timeframe of the study * A current, clinically significant physical disease or abnormality on the basis of medical history, physical examination, or routine laboratory evaluation that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the subject to do so (e.g., bleeding disorder, pancreatitis, epilepsy, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or cardiomyopathy as determined by history and clinical exam); ALAT or ASAT concentration greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), or direct bilirubin above the ULN. (Note-abnormal laboratory tests during screening may be repeated once). * Chronic or episodic painful conditions that could require opioid medications for pain control * History of seizure disorder (excluding childhood febrile seizures) * History of allergy or other serious adverse event due to treatment with XR-NTX * Current psychotic disorder (bipolar, schizophrenia, major depression with suicidal ideation, or psychotic features) identified by clinical examination or the structured interview that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the subject. * Current DSM-5 diagnosis of any drug use disorder other than alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis or a urine drug screen that is positive for benzodiazepines, opioids, amphetamines, cocaine or barbiturates. * Current treatment with a psychotropic, anticonvulsant, opioid, anticoagulant or AUD treatment medication (i.e., naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, topiramate, gabapentin, varenicline, or baclofen) * Receipt of any experimental medication within the past 30 days * In need of medical detoxification from alcohol * Subjects cannot have been mandated by court for alcohol or drug abuse treatment or have pending legal proceedings that could result in incarceration within 6 months of enrollment. * Homicidal or other behavioral disturbance that requires immediate clinical attention * Judged by the principal investigator or his designee to be an unsuitable candidate for study participation

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Timothy S Pond, MPH

✉ timpond@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

📞 215-746-1959

Principal Investigator

Henry R Kranzler, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05028062 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Alcohol Use Disorder. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT05028062 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 4 studies are conducted after a treatment has been approved. They monitor long-term safety and real-world effectiveness in a broader patient population.

Is NCT05028062 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05028062 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at timpond@pennmedicine.upenn.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05028062 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Philadelphia, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05028062 clinical trial?

NCT05028062 is sponsored by University of Pennsylvania. The principal investigator is Henry R Kranzler, MD at University of Pennsylvania. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology