Opioid and Cannabinoid Interactions

Shanna Babalonis, PhD

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Marijuana Usage; Opioid Use

Treatments: Drug: Vaporized Marijuana; Drug: Opioid Agonist; Drug: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03705559

R01DA045700 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

45017

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will examine the effects of doses of marijuana/placebo and doses of opioid/placebo, alone and in combination. The primary outcomes are related to pharmacodynamic measures (subjective ratings of drug liking and other abuse-related effects; physiological outcomes) to determine the interaction effects of these compounds.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy adults ages 18-50
• Current non-medical use of opioids and marijuana

Exclusion criteria

• Physical dependence on opioids, alcohol benzodiazepines/sedative/hypnotics
• Seeking treatment for drug use
• Significant medical problems

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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10 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Vaporized Marijuana

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive non-therapeutic, experimental doses of active vaporized marijuana. Active marijuana will be administered once per session and will be administered via a vaporizer.

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: Vaporized Marijuana

Opioid Agonist

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive non-therapeutic, experimental doses of an active opioid agonist. Active opioid agonist will be administered once per session and will be administered intranasally (snorting).

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: Opioid Agonist

Opioid Agonist/Marijuana Combination

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive non-therapeutic, experimental doses of active opioid in combination with non-therapeutic, experimental doses of active vaporized marijuana. Opioid and marijuana doses will be administered once during each session. It is possible to receive both active drugs on the same day. Opioid doses will be administered intranasally; marijuana doses will be administered via vaporizer.

Treatment:

Drug: Opioid Agonist

Drug: Vaporized Marijuana

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive non-therapeutic, experimental doses of placebo. Opioid doses will be administered intranasally; marijuana doses will be administered via vaporizer.

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo