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NCT Number: NCT07433413

Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone Hydrochloride Implant in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial.

The study plans to enroll 240 adult patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). After providing written informed consent and undergoing screening for eligibility criteria, eligible subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive treatment in either the experimental group (1.5 g Naltrexone Hydrochloride Implant plus non-specific supportive psychotherapy) or the control group (placebo implant plus non-specific supportive psychotherapy).

On Day 1, subjects will receive a single subcutaneous implantation via a small abdominal incision, receiving either the Naltrexone Hydrochloride Implant or the placebo implant. Following implantation, subjects will be hospitalized for at least 2 hours (the investigator may extend this observation period up to 3 days based on the patient's condition). Subjects will change the wound dressing by themselves on postoperative Day 3.

Efficacy and safety assessments will continue through Week 24 post-randomization/dosing, involving a total of 11 visits. Among these, Visit 5 (Week 3) will be conducted via telephone, while all other visits will be performed as outpatient clinic visits.

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Key information

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Alcohol-Related Disorders Alcoholism Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of moderate to severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria (meeting four or more diagnostic criteria; refer to Appendix 1 for details).

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant, breastfeeding, or pregnant with a positive pregnancy test at screening. This includes women of childbearing potential planning to become pregnant during the study.

Note: Women of childbearing potential are defined as those who are biologically capable of becoming pregnant. To be considered not of childbearing potential, a female subject must meet one of the following: 1) Have had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) Be post-menopausal, defined as having no menses for more than 12 consecutive months.

Significant abnormality in liver function (e.g., AST or ALT > 3 times the upper limit of normal), liver failure (e.g., presence of ascites, jaundice, coagulopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, or hepatic encephalopathy), or liver/gallbladder ultrasound findings that may significantly impact the assessment of the investigational drug's efficacy and safety.

History of severe pancreatitis or severe delirium tremens. Presence of any severe/uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, hematological, urogenital, or endocrine disorders) or psychiatric disorders (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder) or other major illnesses, which in the Investigator's judgment could interfere with the provision of informed consent, make study participation unsafe, complicate the interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise affect the achievement of study objectives.

Potential need for hospitalization or surgery during the study period, including scheduled elective surgeries that cannot be postponed.

Diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder (other than alcohol or tobacco) based on DSM-5 criteria within the past year (prior to randomization/dosing), such as benzodiazepines, amphetamines, opioids, or cocaine.

Use of anti-relapse medication (e.g., Naltrexone) or receipt of systemic psychological support therapy within 30 days prior to randomization/dosing.

Currently receiving treatment for substance use disorders (e.g., opioids, amphetamines, alcohol), or received opioids within 7 days prior to randomization/dosing, or may require opioid treatment during the study; or positive urine drug screen for opioids, cannabis, amphetamines, etc., or positive naloxone challenge test on the day of randomization/dosing.

Suicidal risk based on Investigator's clinical judgment, or history of suicidal or self-mutilating behavior.

Allergy to the investigational product or its excipients (polylactic acid, magnesium stearate) or local anesthetics.

Currently participating in any investigational drug or device study, or has used any investigational drug or device within 30 days prior to randomization/dosing.

Skin infection at the implantation site, systemic skin disease, or keloid scarring that may affect the assessment of the investigational drug's efficacy and safety.

Clinical or laboratory evidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Syphilis infection.

Treatment and study plan

Naltrexone

Drug

Dosage Form: Implant Specification: 150 mg/Tablet Dosage and Administration: Subcutaneous implantation of 10 tablets (1500 mg) Duration of Treatment: Single administration

Placebo

Drug

Dosage Form: Implant Specification: 150 mg/Tablet Dosage and Administration: Subcutaneous implantation of 10 tablets (1500 mg) Duration of Treatment: Single administration

Primary outcomes

  1. Proportion of Heavy Drinking Days During the 24-Week Observation Period Post-Randomization/Post-Dosing

    Time frame: 24-Week

    Specifically, this is calculated as the number of heavy drinking days divided by the number of days at risk for heavy drinking, with the aforementioned days counted up to the date of discontinuation of efficacy observation.

    "Days at risk for heavy drinking" are defined as the number of days a subject is under efficacy observation starting from the date of hospital discharge following implant administration.

    Drinking rates are assessed based on the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method, utilizing the daily drinking record form (Appendix 11) completed by the subject and their family members. Heavy drinking is defined as consumption of ≥5 standard drinks per day for males and ≥4 standard drinks per day for females.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Reduction of ≥2 levels in WHO alcohol risk grading

    Time frame: 24-week

    Specifically, this refers to the change from the baseline WHO alcohol risk level to the level assessed during weeks 21-24.

    The baseline WHO alcohol risk level is calculated based on TLFB alcohol consumption data collected during the 2-week period prior to detoxification.

    The WHO alcohol risk level assessed at weeks 21-24 post-randomization/post-dosing is calculated based on the daily drinking record form completed by the subject and their family members.

  2. Alcohol Consumption (Total Amount Consumed Over 24 Weeks)

    Time frame: 24-week

    Calculated based on the daily drinking record form (completed by the subject and their family members) using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method.

  3. Percentage of Days Abstinent (PDA)

    Time frame: 24-week

    Specifically, this is calculated as the number of days with no alcohol consumption divided by the number of days at risk. The aforementioned days are counted up to the date of discontinuation of efficacy observation.

    "Days at risk" are defined as the number of days a subject is under efficacy observation, starting from the date of hospital discharge following implant administration.

    This metric is calculated based on the drinking record form using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method. Alcohol consumption is defined as any recorded drinking behavior, regardless of the amount or frequency consumed.

  4. Longest Continuous Abstinence Duration

    Time frame: 24-week

    Specifically, this refers to the longest consecutive number of days without alcohol consumption from the time of randomization/dosing until loss to follow-up or study completion. This metric is calculated based on the daily drinking record form (completed by the subject and their family members) using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method.

  5. Proportion of Participants Without Heavy Drinking During the Study Observation Period

    Time frame: 24-week

    Specifically, this refers to the proportion of subjects who did not engage in heavy drinking from randomization/dosing until loss to follow-up or study completion. This metric is calculated based on the daily drinking record form (completed by the subject and their family members) using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB) method.

  6. Alcohol Craving Score

    Time frame: 24-week

    Craving scores are assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-randomization/post-dosing using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

    VAS Assessment:

    The VAS consists of a horizontal line. The left end is marked as "0," indicating "No craving," and the right end is marked as "10," indicating "Extreme craving." The intermediate sections represent varying degrees of craving.

    Subjects are asked to self-evaluate and select a numerical value between 0 and 10 that best represents their current level of craving. A higher numerical value indicates a higher degree of craving.

  7. Personal and Social Functioning

    Time frame: 24-week

    Assessment of personal and social functioning at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-randomization/post-dosing using the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP).

    PSP Total Score Rating Guidelines 71-100: These ratings reflect mild difficulties. 31-70: These ratings reflect various degrees of functional impairment. 0-30: These ratings reflect functional disability, indicating that the patient requires active support or close supervision

  8. Pleasure Scale Score (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, SHAPS)

    Time frame: 24-week

    Assessment of the level of agreement regarding pleasure responses in various enjoyable situations at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-randomization/post-dosing. This is evaluated using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).

  9. Family APGAR Questionnaire

    Time frame: 24-week

    A qualitative assessment of family members' satisfaction regarding five basic family functions at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-randomization/post-dosing. This assessment is conducted using the Family APGAR Questionnaire.

  10. Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC)

    Time frame: 24-week

    Measurement of breath alcohol concentration at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-randomization/post-dosing using a digital breath alcohol tester.

  11. Proportion of Participants Requiring Hospitalization for Detoxification

    Time frame: 24-week

    Specifically, this refers to the proportion of subjects who required hospitalization for alcohol detoxification following randomization/dosing.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shenzhen Sciencare Medical Industries Co., Ltd.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Naltrexone Hydrochloride Implant for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Acronym: AUD

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Feb 25, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 25, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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