Could a sleep drug curb impulsivity in opioid recovery?
NCT ID NCT06981195
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether the insomnia medication lemborexant can improve sleep, mood, and impulse control in men and women with opioid use disorder who are already taking buprenorphine. Participants take either lemborexant or a placebo nightly for 8 weeks and complete surveys, computer tests, and sleep tracking. The goal is to see if treating insomnia can also reduce impulsive behavior and support recovery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Lemborexant
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to improve sleep and reduce impulsive behavior in people recovering from opioid use disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply broadly. The drug may not improve sleep or impulsivity more than a placebo, and side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2029
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 years and older
- 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. Be 18 + years-of-age 2. Meet current DSM-5 criteria for opioid use disorder (OUD) with at least moderate severity 3. Receiving outpatient treatment for OUD with sublingual buprenorphine film/tablets ranging 8mg to 24mg or with extended-release injectable buprenorphine 4. Stabilized on current buprenorphine dosage for at least 4 weeks without intention for dose change within next 3 months. 5. Screening urine toxicology positive for buprenorphine and an appropriate norbuprenorphine level as determined by a study clinician 6. A screening urine toxicology negative for non-prescribed substances (except cannabinoids) with a negative breath (or oral fluid) alcohol screen 7. Screen positive for chronic insomnia on the Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire (ISQ) 8. Have an Insomnia Severity Index score at screening and baseline of 13 or higher 9. Have no clinically significant medical or psychiatric disorder or condition, based on physical exam and medical history performed by study clinician, that in the judgement of the investigator would prevent participation or heighten safety risks 10. Understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent in English language 11. Access to necessary resources for completing virtual surveys and monitoring (i.e., computer or smartphone, internet or cell service) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorder, narcolepsy, somnambulism, or sleep paralysis 2. A positive screen for sleep apnea by the following: Sleep Disorders Screening Battery (STOP-BAG \>5) OR home sleep apnea test using WatchPAT with Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) with 3% drop in oxygen saturation \> 10 OR \>50% of respiratory events being central if AHI is between 5-10 OR Oxygen Desaturation \< 88% for \> 10 minutes, OR oxygen desaturation index (ODI) using 3% drop in oxygen saturation \> 10 3. Currently receiving treatment for insomnia (behavioral or pharmacologic) 4. Currently taking a medication to treat a sleep-related condition (e.g., zolpidem) or unable to discontinue over-the-counter drug or supplement used to treat sleep-related condition 5. Currently taking benzodiazepines or other CNS active medications that may increase risk to the participant, per PI discretion (e.g., opioids other than buprenorphine, antipsychotics) 6. Current DSM-5 diagnosis (any severity) of alcohol or drug use disorder (e.g., benzodiazepine, stimulant) with non-prescribed substance use within last 3 months; nicotine use disorder is not considered exclusionary 7. Cannabis use \> 3 days/week 8. Uncontrolled serious psychiatric disorder that would make study participation unsafe (such as Bipolar I Disorder, ADHD, Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, or a neurological disorder). 9. Uncontrolled neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary medical condition such as seizure disorder, recent myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 10. Baseline ECG with clinically significant abnormal conduction or with QTc of greater than 450ms 11. Significant current suicidal or homicidal ideation (C-SSRS "yes" answers on questions 4 or 5) or a history of suicide attempt within the past 6 months 12. Any of the following lab abnormalities: ALT/AST 2 or more times the upper limit of normal, Total bilirubin 2 or more times the upper limit of normal, Creatinine 1.5 or more times the upper limit of normal 13. Pregnant or breastfeeding; Females who are having sex that includes penile penetration must be non-pregnant, non-lactating, and either be of non-childbearing potential (e.g., sterilized via hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy, or at least 1 year post-menopausal) or of childbearing potential, and agree to use an acceptable form of contraception (e.g., IUD, hormonal implant, hormonal patch/ring/pill, condoms (male or female), etc.) 14. Currently taking prescription or over-the counter drugs or dietary supplements known to significantly inhibit CYP3A4 (such as clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, itraconazole, ketoconazole, atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir); or CYP3A4 inducers (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, St. John's Wort, and glucocorticoids) 15. Currently taking lemborexant or any previous medically adverse reaction to lemborexant or other dual orexin receptor antagonists 16. Currently incarcerated or pending incarceration
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
RECRUITINGRichmond, Virginia, 23219, United States
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