Efficacy of Clonidine in Reducing Craving in Inpatients With Cocaine and Crack Use Disorder: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of two medications, clonidine and clonazepam, on reducing cravings in patients with cocaine and crack use disorder. This randomized clinical trial focuses on inpatients who meet the diagnosis criteria for these disorders and are voluntarily seeking treatment. The study is conducted by the University of Sao Paulo General Hospital and aims to compare the craving reduction potential of clonidine against an active placebo, clonazepam. Participants will receive either clonidine 0.1 mg or clonazepam 0.25 mg every 12 hours for the first two weeks of the study. Medication will be given under nursing supervision, followed by a two-week washout period without medication. Vital signs will be monitored three times daily during the treatment phase to observe any medication-related changes such as heart rate or blood pressure alterations. During the study, patients will regularly complete assessments measuring cocaine craving using the Visual Analog Scale from enrollment through two weeks of treatment and at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment ends. Additional evaluations include monitoring adverse effects, blood pressure, heart rate, and clinical impressions of illness severity and improvement. Cocaine and crack use will also be tracked up to 90 days post-treatment. The total duration of participation includes treatment and follow-up periods extending over several months.

Efficacy of Clonidine in Reducing Craving in Inpatients With Cocaine and Crack Use Disorder