Medication Development in Alcoholism: Apremilast Versus Placebo

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Male or female volunteers, 18-65 years of age
Meets DSM-5 criteria for current alcohol use disorder of moderate or greater severity (AUD-MS)
In the month prior to screening, reports drinking ≥ 21 standard drinks per week if male, ≥ 14 if female, with at least one heavy drinking day (≥ 5 males, ≥ 4 females) per week.
Subjects will not be seeking treatment because the medication studies are not treatment trials, and to avoid exposing treatment-seekers to alcohol cues
Subjects must be abstinent a minimum of 3 days (but not more than 7 days) prior to the human lab session
Negative BAC and a CIWA score of < 9 at time of lab session to eliminate acute alcohol or withdrawal effects on dependent measures.
In acceptable health in the judgment of the study physician, on the basis of interview, medical history, physical exam, EKG, routine urine and blood chemistry.
Females with childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test on the screening, randomization, and lab session visits and agree to use effective birth control for the duration required by a given study.
Able to provide informed consent and understand questionnaires and study procedure
Willing to comply with the provisions of the protocol and take daily oral medication.

Exclusion Criteria

Active suicidal ideation, as systematically assessed with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
Meets DSM-5 criteria for a major psychiatric disorder, including mood or anxiety disorders or substance use disorders other than alcohol or nicotine
Has a urine drug screen (UDS) positive for substances of abuse other than alcohol.
Significant medical disorders that will increase potential risk or interfere with study participation as determined by the study physician
Known hypersensitivity to apremilast
Treatment within the month prior to screening with (1) an investigational drug, (2) medications which may negatively interact with study medications, or (3) drugs that may influence study outcomes (e.g., disulfiram [Antabuse], naltrexone [ReVia], acamprosate [Campral], anticonvulsants, or antidepressants).
Ongoing treatment with medications that may increase risk, including prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal preparations, as determined by the study physician.
Sexually active female subjects with childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, or refuse to use effective methods of birth control for the duration required by a specific protocol.
No fixed domicile and/or no availability by home or mobile telephone
History of hypersensitivity to the study drug or the ingredients.
Failure to take double-blind medication as prescribed.

Study & Design

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Apremilast (Otezla)	Apremilast	Fixed oral dose of 90 mg/d following the standard titration for a total dosing duration of 14 days.
Placebo	Placebo	Identical placebo pills taken orally for 14 days

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Craving to Drink	1 hour on the last day of dosing (Day 14)	Total Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores of craving severity in response to in vivo alcohol cues. Higher scores indicate greater craving severity with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 80.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Drinking	11 days (Treatment effects on drinking were accessed during the 11 days of ad libidum and did not include the final three days of mandatory abstinence prior to cue reactivity testing on day 14 of dosing.)	Number of standard drinks per day using the Timeline Followback Interview (TLFB). Total number of alcoholic drinks consumed per day with a minimum value of 0 and an undetermined maximum value. Treatment effects on drinking were accessed during the 11 days of ad libidum and did not include the final three days of mandatory abstinence prior to cue reactivity testing on day 14 of dosing.

Recruitment & Eligibility