Open-Label Disulfiram for Methamphetamine Dependence

This 8 week, open-label pilot clinical trial will examine the safety and tolerability of disulfiram at 250 mg/day in up to fifteen methamphetamine dependent individuals. After undergoing screening procedures (approximately one week), eligible subjects will enter the study proper attend clinic every weekday during week 1 of the trial in order to receive the disulfiram under observation and complete assessments. Then subjects will receive weekly blister packs of medication and attend clinic thrice weekly during weeks 2-6. During weeks 7-8, subjects no longer take disulfiram, are followed for two weeks, then referred to treatment elsewhere, if desired. Urine samples will be obtained and a disulfiram side-effects checklist will be completed thrice-weekly. Self-reported drug use, craving and mood ratings will be completed weekly. All subjects undergo cognitive behavioral therapy. Adjunctive contingency management procedures will be utilized to enhance retention. The primary outcomes of interest include retention, side-effects, and drug use. Results of this study will provide initial safety and drug use data for grant applications proposing to examine the clinical efficacy of disulfiram or similar agents to for treating methamphetamine dependence under placebo-controlled, double-blind conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• 18-65 years old
• not currently enrolled in a treatment program
• subjects must have a history of methamphetamine use with recent use confirmed by a positive urine toxicology screen for amphetamines during the month prior to study entry
• subjects must meet DSM-IV criteria for amphetamine dependence as assessed by the substance abuse section of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID)
• women of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test to enroll in this study, agree to monthly pregnancy testing, and agree to use appropriate forms of birth control for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• current diagnosis of alcohol physical dependence
• significant medical conditions such as abnormal liver function (e.g., laboratory findings on ALT or AST greater than three times normal), active hepatitis, uncontrolled hypertension, a current cardiac condition or high risk of cardiovascular disease (see section c.1), seizure disorders, or another significant underlying medical condition which would contraindicate disulfiram treatment
• meeting DSM-IV psychiatric classifications for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders
• exhibiting current suicidality or homicidality
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• current use of a prescribed psychotropic medication (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, etc.) which cannot be discontinued
• current use of medications such as anticoagulants, isoniazid, metronidazole, clotrimazole, and paraldehyde