Could a quicker wean reduce opioid exposure in newborns?

NCT ID NCT04214834

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW) Program Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares a rapid weaning schedule to a slower one for newborns being treated with morphine or methadone for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). The goal is to see if a faster wean can reduce the number of days babies need opioid medication. The trial includes full-term infants from hospitals that routinely treat opioid-exposed newborns.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

morphine or methadone

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to shorter hospital stays and less opioid exposure for newborns with opioid withdrawal.

What could go wrong

The trial is relatively small and results may not apply to all hospitals or infants. Faster weaning might not be safe for all babies.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neonatal abstinence syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Central Michigan University

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
Children's Mercy Hospital

Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
Loma Linda University Medical Center

Loma Linda, California, 92354, United States
MedStar Franklin Square

Hyattsville, Maryland, 20782, United States
Metrohealth

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States
Nationwide Childeren's Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
Ochsner Baptist Clinical Trials Unit

New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, United States
Ochsner Medical Regional Hospital

Kenner, Louisiana, 70065, United States
Ohio State University Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
RTI International

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
Sanford Health

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104, United States
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns

San Diego, California, 92123, United States
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, United States
Tulane University Health Science Center

New Orleans, Louisiana, 70001, United States
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35249, United States
University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, 85724, United States
University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center-West Campus

Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605, United States
University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, Tennessee, 38119, United States
Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
West Virginia University Hospital

Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, United States
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States