Status:

TERMINATED

Effect of Guanfacine on the Reversal of Opioid-induced Hyperalgesia (OIH)

Lead Sponsor:

Massachusetts General Hospital

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Conditions:

Chronic Pain

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-65 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Combination of guanfacine with opioid medication as a standard treatment for chronic pain.

Detailed Description

This aim proposes that guanfacine would be a useful drug to reverse Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) when combined with opioids in chronic pain management.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Inclusion Criteria
  • 18-65 years old
  • Chronic neck or back pain condition for at least 6 months
  • VAS score of 4-8, despite opioid therapy
  • On a stable morphine equivalent dose of at least 60mg/day and ≤ 240mg/day for at least 3 months
  • Exclusion Criteria
  • Has taken Methadone, Suboxone, Fentanyl, and/or Tramadol in the last six (6) months
  • Has taken guanfacine (or other alpha-2AR agonists) in the last six (6) months
  • Changes to current or adding new pain treatment while enrolled in the study (i.e. opiates, epidural steroid injection) will be reviewed by the study physician
  • Unable to independently provide informed written consent
  • Sensory deficits at site of QST, such as peripheral neuropathy
  • Intolerable allergies or has had a severe adverse reaction to study medication (i.e. guanfacine, lactose, vitamin B2 a.k.a. riboflavin)
  • Takes vitamin B2 \> 1.6mg/day during the study
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Pending litigation related to neck or back pain
  • Diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome
  • Has other chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or joint osteoarthritis that are predominant over back and neck pain with regard to its intensity (VAS)
  • Has known pre-existing severe cardiovascular disease (i.e. arrhythmia - prolonged QT interval \> 440ms), cerebrovascular disease/accident (i.e., stroke), hepatic or renal impairment, CNS condition, metabolic condition, or history of syncope
  • Hypotension (SBP \< 90 mmHg and DBP \< 60 mmHg for female or SBP \< 100 mmHg and DBP \< 60 mmHg for male; measured while in a sitting position) will be reviewed by a study physician
  • Bradycardia (resting heart rate \< 60 bpm) will be reviewed by a study physician
  • Subjects are on antihypertensive drugs (e.g., a beta-blocker) that result in hypotension and/or bradycardia as defined above
  • Tests positive for illicit drugs, marijuana, or non-prescribed drugs
  • Major psychiatric disorders that required hospitalization in the past 6 months such as: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, or psychotic disorders
  • Currently in a treatment program for alcohol or drug abuse, or currently on methadone or buprenorphine (i.e. suboxone, subutex) for treatment of addiction, or currently prescribed stimulants for treatment of ADHD
  • History of substance or alcohol abuse (meets DSM IV criteria) per medical record or subject admission
  • Subjects are on medications that serve as CYP3A4/5 inhibitors or CYP3A4 inducers including, but are not limited to, valproic acid, macrolide antibiotics, antifungal drugs, St. John wort, ACE inhibitors, nefazodone (antidepressant), calcium channel blockers, H2-receptor antagonists, anti-HIV or AIDS drugs, and antiepileptic drugs
  • Subjects are on medications that are ligands for alpha2-adrenergic receptors including antipsychotic drugs (e.g. clozapine) and tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants (e.g. imipramine, mirtazapine, mianserin). Any medications taken by a subject at the enrollment will be reviewed regarding their compatibility with guanfacine as well as possible confounding side effects. Subjects will be allowed to take non-opioid pain medications except for gabapentinoids and amitriptyline/nortriptyline as far as such medications do not have incompatibility with guanfacine.

Exclusion

    Key Trial Info

    Start Date :

    September 1 2014

    Trial Type :

    INTERVENTIONAL

    Allocation :

    ESTIMATED

    End Date :

    October 1 2022

    Estimated Enrollment :

    120 Patients enrolled

    Trial Details

    Trial ID

    NCT02192398

    Start Date

    September 1 2014

    End Date

    October 1 2022

    Last Update

    November 6 2025

    Active Locations (1)

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    Page 1 of 1 (1 locations)

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    MGH Center for Translational Pain Research

    Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114