RecruitingPHASE2INTERVENTIONAL

Novel Use of Probenecid to Alleviate Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal

This study aims to find a new way to help people manage the uncomfortable symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Many people who take opioid medications for long-term (chronic) pain find it very hard to reduce or stop them because of these withdrawal symptoms. Researchers have found a protein in the body, called pannexin-1, that seems to be involved in causing these symptoms. Probenecid, a medicine already used for other conditions, is thought to block this protein. This study will test if probenecid can safely and effectively reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people with chronic pain to lower their opioid dose or stop taking them. This could offer a new option for people struggling with opioid dependence, regardless of how they started taking the medication.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

PHASE2

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

Start

31 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Chronic Pain Drug Dependence of Morphine Type Symptom, Withdrawal

What is this study about?

Many people rely on strong pain medications, called opioids, to help manage ongoing (chronic) pain. While helpful for short-term pain, continuing to take opioids can lead to the body becoming used to them, which medical professionals call 'dependence'. This means that if you try to reduce your dose or stop taking the medication, you can experience very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which makes it incredibly difficult to manage your pain without them. This challenge is a big reason why some people continue taking opioids when they might prefer not to.

Researchers are always looking for better ways to help people through this process. This study is exploring a medicine called probenecid, which has been used safely for other health conditions. Scientists have recently discovered that a specific protein in the body, found in the brain and spinal cord, called pannexin-1, plays a role in causing these difficult withdrawal symptoms when opioids are stopped. In laboratory studies, probenecid was able to block the activity of this protein and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Because probenecid is already known to be safe and available, if this study shows it can help with opioid withdrawal, it could quickly become an option to support people who want to reduce or stop their opioid medication. This offers hope for those struggling with the effects of opioid dependence and provides doctors with another tool to help their patients.

Key takeaways

This study is testing if an existing medicine, probenecid, can help with opioid withdrawal.
It aims to make it easier for people with chronic pain to lower their opioid medication.
Researchers discovered a protein called pannexin-1 might be key to withdrawal symptoms, and probenecid blocks it.
This is a Phase 2 trial, meaning it's an early stage but building on promising lab results.
If successful, probenecid could quickly become a new option for patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 80 who are currently managing chronic pain with daily opioid medication and are planning to gradually reduce their dose. You'll need to be generally healthy, with good kidney function, and be able to understand and agree to take part in the study.

However, you won't be able to join if you have certain health conditions like a known allergy to probenecid, a history of certain kidney stones, or a specific blood condition called G6PD deficiency. You also can't take part if you have active gout.

Additionally, you cannot be in the study if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are currently taking certain other medications that might interfere with probenecid or hide withdrawal symptoms. If you've been in another drug study in the last month, you also won't be eligible for this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Do you take opioid medication daily for ongoing (chronic) pain?
Are you planning to reduce your opioid dose within the next 12 weeks?
Do you have good kidney function?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you NOT have an allergy to probenecid or specific kidney stone history?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will continue taking your daily opioid pain medication and plan to reduce your dose at least once over a twelve-week period. During the study, you will be given the medicine probenecid, which will be tested to see if it helps with your withdrawal symptoms. You will have regular appointments for health checks, blood tests, and to discuss how you are feeling. The study team will monitor your progress closely to ensure your safety and to see how effectively the probenecid is working to help you manage your opioid dose reduction.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefit of joining this study is that probenecid might help lessen the difficult withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for you to reduce or stop your opioid medication. This could improve your overall well-being and allow you to manage your chronic pain more effectively in the long run. Potential risks are generally mild and may include side effects from probenecid, such as stomach upset or skin rash, and possible interactions with other medications. The study team will explain these in detail. Remember, taking part in any clinical trial is entirely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What are opioids and why are they a concern?

Opioids are strong painkiller medicines. While good for short-term pain, using them for a long time can lead to your body becoming used to them, causing difficult withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop or reduce your dose.

What is probenecid?

Probenecid is a medicine that has been safely used for many years for other health conditions, such as gout. In this study, we are testing if it can help with opioid withdrawal symptoms.

What are 'withdrawal symptoms'?

Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable feelings, both physical and mental, that can happen when someone reduces or stops a medication their body has become used to. These can include pain, sickness, hot/cold flushes, and anxiety.

Will I have to stop all my pain medication?

No, the study requires you to plan at least one reduction in your opioid dose over a twelve-week period. The aim is to make that process easier, not necessarily to stop entirely.

Is probenecid safe?

Probenecid is generally considered safe and has been used clinically for other conditions for many years. However, like all medicines, it can have side effects, and the study will carefully monitor its use.

How to find out more

Tammy Eberle

tammy.eberle@primarycarealberta.ca 1-403-943-9900 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.