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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Psychiatric Research Institute
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  6. Optimizing Retention, Duration and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy (RDD)

Optimizing Retention, Duration and Discontinuation Strategies for Opioid Use Disorder Pharmacotherapy (RDD)

The goal of this Center for Addiction Research study is to determine which medication approaches work best for people with opioid use disorder. Opioids include fentanyl, heroin, and prescription pain relievers (e.g., hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Norco®, Lortab®), oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®,), hydromorphone (Dilaudid® etc).The participant may choose one of two study drugs – Buprenorphine or VivitrolTM. Buprenorphine is used to treat people with opioid problems by managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Vivitrol is used to help people, who have successfully stopped taking any opioids, remain abstinent.

If the participant selects Buprenorphine, the participant must agree to be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 16mg/day of sublingual Buprenorphine (Suboxone®), 32mg/day of sublingual Buprenorphine (Suboxone®), or monthly XR- Buprenorphine injections. If the participant selects, VivitrolTM, they will need to show that they have not recently used opioids or have had one shot of VivitrolTM in the past month before receiving monthly VivitrolTM injections.

Half of participants will randomly be chosen to receive a phone app, Pear-002a. This app may be used to help track and manage cravings. Study participants will be expected to stay on study medication, meet with a study doctor for medication management, and communicate with research staff for up to 1.5 years, with more follow-up interviews with research staff periodically for another 6 months. There is no cost to participate in this study. Research subjects who are found eligible will receive monetary compensation for their time.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Ages 18+
  • Problem with opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription pain killers)

This study is currently accepting participants. For more information, call 501-526-7969. All calls are confidential.

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Mailing Address: 4224 Shuffield Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 526-8100
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