CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT02200406Updated Oct 23, 2020

Desvenlafaxine in Opioid-Dependent Patients

A Phase 4 interventional study of Desvenlafaxine in Depression, Opioid Dependence and Methadone Treatment, sponsored by Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-10-23.

Sponsored by Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
18
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Background: Although substitution therapy has been shown to be highly effective to retain opioid-dependent patients in treatment and reduce drug use, this population is afflicted by numerous conditions including depression. Unfortunately, studies published thus far have reported inconsistent or no difference in response between placebo therapy and antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Objective: To assess the feasibility of Desvenlafaxine (DESV) administration among opioid-dependent subjects and explore its effect on depressive symptoms. Methods: Open-label pilot trial of 8 weeks of DESV 50-100 mg/day in 20 methadone-maintained individuals with comorbid depressive symptoms at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal. Significance: This pilot study will lay down the foundation on which a larger multisite clinical trial could be conducted to examine DESV as new treatment for opioid-dependent population with comorbid depression.

Read the detailed description

To assess the feasibility, tolerability and acceptability of 8 weeks of Desvenlafaxine (DESV) administration among opioid-dependent subjects in a methadone-maintenance program, we will collect detailed information on compliance to DESV treatment, side effects, methadone plasma levels, methadone dose changes and QTc measures.

To explore the effects of DESV on depressive symptoms among opioid-dependent subjects on methadone-maintenance treatment. The severity and symptoms of depression will be evaluated by using the MADRS, the HRDS, and the CGI scale.

To explore the effects of DESV on substance use, anxiety, craving, quality of life and suicidal risk.

02

Conditions studied

  • Depression
  • Opioid Dependence
  • Methadone Treatment

Keywords

  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Opioid-dependent
  • Addiction
  • Depression
  • Methadone
  • Comorbidity
03

In context

Opioid-Related Disorders

1,412 studies on the registry are indexed under Opioid-Related Disorders; 290 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 18 is below the median of 63 across 1,124 interventional studies indexed under Opioid-Related Disorders.

Browse Opioid-Related Disorders studies →

Lead sponsor

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is the lead sponsor of 370 studies on the registry; 110 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • DSM-IV-TR criteria for opioid dependence;
  • Subject is on methadone treatment in the substitution program for at least 4 weeks;
  • Subject is aged between 18 and 65 years old;
  • subject meets the DSM-V TR criteria for major depressive episode, according to the study psychiatrist and confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI);
  • Subject reports a score of 20 or higher on the MADRS;
  • Subject is eligible for and consents to the study;
  • subject is able to give valid, informed consent;
  • subject is able to speak and read French or English (grade-nine level of language required)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unstable medical illness, defined as any medical illness which has not been well-controlled with standard-of-care medications;
  • Severe psychiatric condition (e.g., current acute psychosis, past or current hypomania/mania) based on the MINI;
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
  • Inability to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study duration. A medically acceptable form of contraception is either: (1) contraceptive pill or intrauterine device or depot hormonal preparation (ring, injection, implant); and/or (2) a barrier method of contraception such as diaphragm, sponge with spermicide or condom;
  • Subject currently takes another antidepressant;
  • Treatment with Desvenlafaxine at any time in the past;
  • Known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine;
  • Subject is undergoing psychotherapies for current depression (support therapy or counseling are allowed);
  • Subject failed to respond to two or more Health-Canada-approved antidepressants during current episode;
  • Unstable Axis-II personality disorder or other Axis-II disorder which has been the primary focus of treatment in the past 3 months, as ascertained by a study psychiatrists;
  • Medical diagnosis of kidney and/or liver failure
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
18 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Other
    Desvenlafaxine

    * Open-label pilot study * Desvenlafaxine will be administered during 56 consecutive days * Desvenlafaxine will be administered in the morning at a 50 mg dose during weeks 1 and 2, and at 50-100 mg doses (based on the study psychiatrist's judgment) during the 6 following weeks.

    Drug: Desvenlafaxine

Interventions

  • DrugDesvenlafaxine

    All subjects will receive 50 mg of the medication during week 1 and 2, then 50-100 mg (based on the psychiatrist judgment) for the following 6 weeks. Subjects who experience significant adverse reactions with the 100mg dose during weeks 2 to 4 could return to the lower dose of 50 mg if judged clinically appropriate by the study psychiatrist.

    Also known as: PRISTIQ

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Tolerability: Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE)

    Safety and adverse effects with the Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. effect of Desvenlafaxine on depressive symptoms

    Responders will be determined by a 50% reduction in (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) HAM-D scores, and remitters will be determined based on scores of ≤7.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  2. effect of Desvenlafaxine on depressive symptoms

    Responders will be determined by a 50% reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) scores, and remitters will be determined based on scores of 10.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  3. Response to treatment

    A favorable response will be defined as a score of 1 or 2 (very much or much improved) on the Clinical Global Impression CGI-I subscale

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  4. Feasibility: Proportion of persons screened who are eligible and enrolled

    Proportion of persons screened who are eligible and enrolled

    Time frame: Baseline

  5. Treatment adherence

    Compliance will be evaluated at each in-person follow-up visit. Treatment adherence will be calculated as the total number of tablets dispensed minus the number returned, divided by the total number of tablets dispensed

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  6. Effect of Desvenlafaxine administration on QT/QTc interval prolongation

    It will be assessed by electrocardiograms (upper limit for safety should be 500ms).

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  7. Feasibility: Proportion of scheduled study visits completed and biological samples collected

    Proportion of scheduled study visits completed and biological samples collected

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  8. Potential for drug interactions between methadone and antidepressants - Effect of Desvenlafaxine on methadone serum level (pharmacokinetic variability)

    Change from baseline in methadone serum level. We will assessed the methadone serum level at baseline and after a month of treatment.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  9. Methadone dose adjustments

    Change from baseline in methadone dose. Each dose adjustment occurring during the trial will be noted at each follow-up visit

    Time frame: 2 - 4 weeks

Other outcomes

  1. Substance use

    number of days of substance use as assessed with The Time Line Follow-Back (TFLB), urine-drug testing and alcohol-breathalyzer testing.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  2. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on anxiety

    Change from Baseline in anxiety and mood. It will be assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  3. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on blood pressure and heart rate

    Change from Baseline in Systolic Blood Pressure and heart rate

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  4. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on opioid craving

    Assessed with the abbreviated Heroin Craving Questionnaire (HCQ) - Change from Baseline in Craving.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  5. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on quality of life

    Change from baseline in Quality of life. It will be assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  6. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on disability

    Change from baseline in disability. It will be assessed with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  7. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on suicidal behaviour

    Change from Baseline in suicidal behaviour. It will be assessed with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  8. Effect of Desvenlafaxine on testosterone level

    Change from Baseline in testosterone.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
    Montréal, Quebec H2X0A9, Canada
08

References and documents

Publications

  • El Hage C, Ghabrash MF, Dubreucq S, Brissette S, Lesperance F, Lesperance P, Ouellet-Plamondon C, Bruneau J, Jutras-Aswad D. A pilot, open-label, 8-week study evaluating desvenlafaxine for treatment of major depression in methadone-maintained individuals with opioid use disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2018 Sep;33(5):268-273. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000223. PubMed 29738425 ↗
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 23, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02200406
Lead sponsor
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Collaborators
Pfizer
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jul 25, 2014
Start date
Jul 2014
Primary completion
Jan 2017
Completion
Jan 2017
Last update
Oct 23, 2020

Study contacts

Didier Jutras-Aswad, M.D., M.Sc.
principal investigator · Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Suzanne Brissette, M.D., M.Sc.
study chair · Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Julie Bruneau, M.D., M.Sc.
study chair · Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Paul Lespérance, M.D., M.Sc.
study chair · Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Clairélaine Ouellet-Plamondon, M.D.
study chair · Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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