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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03855241

Safely Disposing of Surplus Prescription Opioids

This study evaluates two interventions intended to increase the safe disposal of leftover prescription opioids, compared to no intervention. Participants will receive an informational sheet describing how to safely dispose of leftover prescription opioids, an informational sheet with a drug disposal kit, or no intervention. Participants will be randomized by day for pragmatic reasons.

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Key information

Conditions

Opioid Use

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Johns Hopkins Hospital/Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

About this study

Many persons who receive a prescription for opioids report having leftover opioids once the prescription is finished. Leftover prescription opioids serve as a reservoir of products for misuse, given 90% of people who misuse prescription opioids report obtaining the opioids from a friend, family member, or a legitimate prescription. The best way to increase the rate of safe disposal of leftover opioids is unclear. The present study will generate evidence comparing how well a drug disposal system compares with providing an informational handout on properly disposing of leftover prescription opioids. Participants will be randomized by day to one of two disposal interventions or no disposal intervention. Disposal interventions include a drug disposal kit or an informational sheet describing how to safely dispose of leftover prescription opioids. Storage and disposal characteristics for leftover prescription opioids will be measured using standardized telephone calls with participants at 3 weeks after filling the opioid prescription. If therapy is not concluded at 3 weeks or participants are not available, then a second standardized telephone call with participants will take place at 6 weeks after filling the opioid prescription.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult participants (age ≥ 18 years) who pick up a prescription for themselves or a family member at a Johns Hopkins pharmacy
  • English speaking
  • Residential address and phone number in the United States
  • Filling a new prescription consisting of an immediate release opioid medication (i.e., immediate release morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, tramadol; alone or in combination with acetaminophen) with ≤ 7 days' supply

Exclusion criteria

  • Age < 18 years
  • Non-English speaking
  • Residential address and/or phone number outside the United States
  • Opioid medication listed in participant's active medication list prior to prescription fill
  • Filling any prescription consisting of any opioid with 8 or more days' supply
  • Filling any prescription consisting of any extended-release / long-acting opioid medication (i.e., extended-release morphine, oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, buprenorphine)
  • Filling an opioid prescription indicated for cough or shortness of breath

Treatment and study plan

Informational Sheet

Behavioral

The informational sheet details how use opioid medicines safely, and lists ways to properly dispose of leftover opioids

DisposeRx Drug Disposal kit

Behavioral

DisposeRx is a powder that is activated with water and traps leftover drugs (i.e. pills, capsules, caplets, liquids or tablets) in a semi-solid gel. The trapped drug cannot be retrieved from the resulting gel material for misuse, abuse or to leach into landfills. The participant can then throw away the biodegradable solid material in the prescription bottle into the trash, as it is safe for the environment.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants using a safe drug disposal method for leftover prescription opioids

    Time frame: Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill

    Participants who report "yes" to disposing of leftover prescription opioid medication using a disposal intervention that aligns with recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (i.e., using a take-back program, drug disposal kit, or flushing in the toilet)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of participants using any drug disposal method for leftover prescription opioids

    Time frame: Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill

    Participants who report "yes" to disposing of leftover prescription opioid medication using any method

  2. Number of participants with safe storage of prescription opioids

    Time frame: Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill

    Participants who report "yes" to safely storing prescription opioid medication (i.e., in a locked location)

  3. Number of participants who completed prescription opioid therapy

    Time frame: Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill

    Participants who report "yes" to completing therapy for prescription opioid medication

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johns Hopkins University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Disposal Interventions for Safe Prescription Opioid Surplus Elimination: The DISPOSE Trial

Acronym: DISPOSE

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Feb 26, 2019
Registry last updated
Sep 23, 2019

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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