Diabetes drug exenatide studied as potential cocaine addiction treatment
NCT ID NCT06252623
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study aimed to test whether exenatide (Bydureon), a drug approved for type 2 diabetes, could safely reduce the urge to use cocaine. Researchers planned to give the drug or a placebo to people with cocaine use disorder and measure how many cocaine doses they chose to take. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. English-speaking 2. Male or female ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years of age 3. Willing and able to provide written informed consent and participate in all required study activities 4. Self-reported recent use of smoked or IV COC verified by a COC positive urine (≥ 150 ng/mL) 5. Report using COC for ≥ 10 years and using ≥ 2 grams of COC/week 6. Have vital signs as follows, resting pulse between 50 and 95 bpm, blood pressure (BP) between 90-150 mmHg systolic and 45-95 mmHg diastolic. 7. Have hematology and chemistry laboratory tests that are within reference limits (±10%), with the following exception, pancreatic tests (lipase and amylase) must be within normal limits 8. Have a medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), drug-use history, and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) demonstrating no clinically significant contraindications for study participation, in the judgment of a Study Physician and the Principal Investigator. 9. Agree (if the subject is female and of child-bearing potential) to use at least one of the following methods of birth control from time of the first administration of the study drug to at least 7 days post the last dose of study drug, unless the partner is surgically sterile (underwent vasectomy), 1. oral contraceptives, 2. contraceptive sponge, 3. patch, 4. double barrier (diaphragm/spermicidal or condom/spermicidal), 5. intrauterine contraceptive system, 6. etonogestrel implant, 7. medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection, 8. complete abstinence from sexual intercourse, and/or 9. hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring 10. Women of child-bearing potential must provide negative urine pregnancy tests prior to randomization, and at study visits as indicated in the Research Strategy 11. No contraindications/allergies to COC or exenatide 12. Cardiovascular and subjective responses to COC within acceptable Exclusion Criteria: 1. Clinically significant medical conditions . 2. Meet diagnostic criteria for substance-use disorders other than for CUD that in the opinion of the study physician would comprise the well-being of the participant. 3. Seeking treatment for a substance use disorder. 4. Any laboratory test deemed clinically significant by the study physician. 5. Type 1 or type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (HbA1C level of ≥6.5%) 6. Previous medically adverse reaction to the study medications (Bydureon) or COC. 7. Medication use that might interact with COC or exenatide, or otherwise compromise safety. 8. Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. 9. Severe cardiovascular disease (history of myocardial infarction, life-threatening arrhythmia, or worsening angina pectoris). 10. Severe gastrointestinal disease (i.e., severe gastroparesis). 11. Previous history of pancreatitis or risk of pancreatitis. 12. Creatinine clearance \<45 or end stage renal disease (ESRD). 13. Contraindications to treatment with exenatide (e.g., personal of family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type-2; history of pancreatitis or risk of pancreatitis). 14. Participation in a clinical trial within 30 days of admission. 15. Positive urine pregnancy test or females trying to conceive, donated ova, are pregnant, or are lactating or breast feeding at screening or throughout study. 16. Positive urine screen for drugs-of-abuse, other than COC or marijuana, or breath alcohol test. Note, if positive for opioids or oxycodone but recent opioid use for acute pain is reported by the subject, then the subject can be included at the discretion of the Primary Investigator and/or Study Physician. 17. Have a history of suicidal ideation. 18. Have any illness or condition which in the opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or the Study Physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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