Clinical Trials
MethaLoad Study
Providers at Penn Medicine are leading a K23 NIH-funded study aiming to identify a new approach to starting methadone called loading dose initiation, which employs a greater starting dose of methadone administered under safe medical supervision. The goal is to address withdrawal symptoms that may be reduced as therapeutic levels are reached faster. Dr. Ashish Thakrar, the Principal Investigator and his research team at the Department of Psychiatry Treatment Research Center will perform screenings for potential candidates. To see if a candidate is eligible, please call 215-573-0943.
MethaLoad Dose-Finding Study of Methadone Loading Dose Initiation for Opioid Use Disorder with Fentanyl Use: eligibility and details here.
Full brochure available here.
A Cariprazine Clinical Trial for Individuals with Opioid and Cocaine Use Disorder
If you are struggling with cocaine, and you take prescription Suboxone, a new clinical research study is available for you.
The purpose of this research study is to see whether taking the medication Cariprazine affects drug use in people with opioid and cocaine use disorder. Another purpose of this study is to understand whether certain mental processes (inhibition, memory, decision-making, reward, pain sensitivity, etc.) predict drug use, and whether treatment with Cariprazine impacts these processes.
What it’s involved:
- Receive Cariprazine or a placebo for 8 weeks
- In-person 2x weekly visits to monitor drug use, receive medication, and respond to research surveys
- Perform various behavioral and computerized tasks that measure mental processes
- Monitoring of your brain activity using a noninvasive neuroimaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
- fMRI option for those who qualify
Lead investigators: Kyle Kampman, MD, and Anna Rose Childress, PhD
For more information please CALL: 215-746-1963 or TEXT: “CAR” to 844-917-4646
A Clinical Trial for Individuals with Symptoms of Mental Illness and Opioid Use Disorder
If you are struggling with opioid use, mental illness, and take prescription Suboxone, a new clinical research study is available for you.
The purpose of this research study is to see whether taking the medication, Olanzapine, affects drug use in people with opioid use and mental illness. Another purpose of the study is to understand whether sleep is affected by Olanzapine.
Participants will receive Olanzapine for 9 weeks while coming into our center for twice weekly visits to monitor drug use, receive medication, and respond to research surveys.
For more information or to refer a patient, please CALL Dyonna at 215-746-2767 or Megan at 215-746-7712.
