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The Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Metamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Methamphetamine Dependence in Remission
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04405193
Lead Sponsor
Melva Louisa
Brief Summary

Up to date, no approved medications are available for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction. Recently, N-acetylcysteine is recently being studied for methamphetamine withdrawal.

N-acetylcysteine, is a drug that has been long used as a mucolytic. Recent studies investigate the use of N-acetylcysteine in cocaine and withdrawal symptoms by its effect on restoring glutamate homeostasis in nucleus accumbens. Up to date, there has been 2 pilot study investigating the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for methamphetamine dependence.

The present study is aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms.

Detailed Description

Methamphetamine is a stimulant commonly abused worldwide. Methamphetamine can produce a rapid pleasurable rush caused by release of dopamine, nor-ephinephrine and serotonin. It produces euphoria, a heightened level of alertness and increased level of alertness and increased energy. Long-term regular meth use can lead to severe tooth decay, infection, weight loss, malnutrition, kidney damage, liver damage, respiratory issues, paranoia, violent behaviour, psychosis, severe anxiety and depression.

Studies suggested that withdrawal symptoms in methamphetamine dependent patients were due to the state of hypodopaminergic activities.

Up to date, no approved medications are available for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction. Recently, N-acetylcysteine is recently being studied for methamphetamine withdrawal.

N-acetylcysteine, is a drug that has been long used as a mucolytic. Up to date, there has been 2 pilot study investigating the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for methamphetamine dependence. The present study is aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
66
Inclusion Criteria
  • Men or women, 18 - 60 years old
  • Diagnosed with methamphetamine addiction based on DSM-V criteria, enrolling for methamphetamine withdrawal treatment
  • Agree to participate in the trial by signing informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Known hypersensitivity to N-acetylcysteine
  • Patients with serious conditions that will not allow protocol compliance or safe participation in the clinical trials.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • History of suicidal thoughts / behaviour
  • History of N-acetylcysteine treatment
  • History of asthma and convulsions

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
TreatmentN-acetyl cysteine2 capsules, each containing 600 mg N-acetylcysteine administered once daily every morning.
PlaceboPlacebo2 capsules of matching placebo administered once daily every morning
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms in patients treated with N-acetylcysteine vs placeboChange from baseline at 4 weeks

Withdrawal symptoms will be measured using Addiction Severity Index (ASI). ASI score ranged from 0 to 9, with score of 0 indicates no withdrawal symptoms and 9 indicates extreme symptoms of withdrawal symptoms

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Antioxidative effects of N-acetylcysteine vs placeboChange from baseline at 4 weeks

antioxidative effects will be measured by quantifying malondialdehyde plasma concentrations (micromol/L).

Safety of N-acetylcysteine vs placeboSubjects with adverse events at week 4

The number of subjects with adverse events at week 4

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rehabilitation Center, National Narcotics Agency

🇮🇩

Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

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