Could buspirone and lofexidine take the edge off opioid withdrawal?

NCT ID NCT05511909

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 29, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding buspirone (an anxiety medication) to lofexidine (a withdrawal drug) can reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings during detox. About 100 adults with opioid use disorder will stay in a residential setting for 10–12 days, undergo a stepwise opioid taper, and receive either the combo or a placebo. The goal is to see if the combination makes withdrawal more manageable and helps people transition to long-term treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: buspirone and lofexidine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new medication combination to make opioid withdrawal less painful and reduce cravings, helping people complete detox more comfortably.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (Phase 2) with only 100 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and the combination might not work better than existing treatments.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder opiate dependence substance withdrawal syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY OPIOID CRAVING OPIOID WITHDRAWAL OPIOID-USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Kahlert Institute for Addictino Medicin
RECRUITING

Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States

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