Modafinil Combined With Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Treat Cocaine Addiction - 1

The development of a medication to treat cocaine addiction specifically by lessening withdrawal symptoms has been a primary focus of research. Common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include depression, lack of energy, and poor concentration. Modafinil, a central nervous system stimulant, is a medication that can speed up physical and mental processes in the brain. It is currently used to treat narcolepsy, a condition that causes excessive sleepiness. Modafinil enhances mood, increases energy, and improves concentration in people with narcolepsy. Modafinil may also cause the same effects in individuals addicted to cocaine, thereby countering the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of modafinil plus CBT versus placebo plus CBT for treating cocaine dependence.

A 2-week screening period will be followed by an 8-week treatment phase. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of modafinil, 400 mg of modafinil, or placebo on a daily basis for the 8 weeks of treatment. During this time, participants will be asked to report the number of days that they use and do not use cocaine. This will be confirmed three times a week with urine tests. Mood, level of daytime sleepiness, and symptoms of cocaine withdrawal and cocaine "high" will be evaluated. Compliance with study medication will be assessed with urine and blood tests. Medication side effects will be monitored through physical examinations, routine lab tests, ECGs, and self-reports. Follow-up evaluations will occur 4 and 8 weeks following the end of treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Seeking treatment for cocaine dependence
• Meets DSM-IV diagnosis criteria for cocaine dependence as determined by Mini-SCID interview
• If female, willing to use effective contraception throughout the study
• Lives within 50 miles of the research center and has reliable transportation

Exclusion criteria

• Meets DSM-IV/Mini-SCID diagnosis criteria for dependence on any drugs other than cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, or marijuana
• Physiologic dependence on alcohol requiring medical detoxification, on either an inpatient or outpatient basis
• Current psychiatric disorder, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, organic brain disease, dementia, or other types of psychosis
• Recent suicidal or homicidal attempts within 60 days of study entry
• Suicidal or homicidal ideation within 30 days of study entry
• Meets diagnosis criteria from the Differential Diagnosis of Psychotic Disorders section of Mini-SCID for a history of psychotic symptoms during a period of cocaine use (e.g., persistent hallucinations and delusions)
• Serious medical illness, including left ventricular hypertrophy, mitral valve prolapse, left bundle branch block, heart attack, angina, serious liver disease (transaminase levels four times greater than normal), and kidney, neurologic, metabolic, neoplastic, nutritional, inflammatory, or endocrine disorders
• Required by the court to obtain treatment for cocaine dependence
• Not seeking treatment for cocaine dependence
• Participated in cocaine treatment (clinical or research) within 30 days of study entry
• Anticipating elective surgery or hospitalization within 20 weeks of study entry
• Known or suspected hypersensitivity to modafinil
• Use of any of the following medications within 14 days of study entry: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, dopamine agonists, and other psychotropic medications, including anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, or psychostimulants
• Currently taking medications that could adversely interact with study medications, including azole-type antifungals, cyclosporine, warfarin, theophylline, or carbamazepine
• Currently taking any medications that induce or inhibit CYP3A4 metabolic pathways
• Pregnant or breastfeeding