New drug shows promise in calming opioid withdrawal
NCT ID NCT04470050
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested a new medicine called BXCL501 to see if it can safely reduce the unpleasant symptoms people feel when they stop taking opioids. 225 adults with opioid use disorder took part. The medicine was given as a film under the tongue, and researchers measured withdrawal symptoms using standard scales. The goal was to find out if BXCL501 can make withdrawal more manageable.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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225 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2020
- Finished
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Feb 2021
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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. Male and female subjects who are 18 years of age to less than 65 years of age. 2. Meets criteria for moderate to severe opioid use disorder as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria and confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) with physiological dependence as evidenced by a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal (COWS) score of \>5 or a positive naloxone challenge upon admission on Day 1. 3. Subjects who can read, understand, and provide written informed consent. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to be abstinent or use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria 1. Positive urine pregnancy test at screening or when tested or currently breast feeding. 2. Clinically significant history of cardiac disease, screening and baseline heart rate of \<55 beats per minutes or systolic blood pressure \<110 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \<70 mmHg. 3. History or presence of a significant medical disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, increases the risk or may confound the interpretation of study measures, as confirmed by screening laboratory results. 4. Hepatic dysfunction (marked by ascites, or bilirubin \>10% above the upper limit of normal \[ULN\] or liver function tests \>3 x ULN) at the screening visit. 5. Acute active Hepatitis B or C as evidenced by positive serology and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>2 x ULN. 6. Clinically significant abnormal ECG findings such as second- or third-degree heart block, uncontrolled arrhythmia, or QTcF (Fridericia correction formula) interval \>450 msec for males, and \>470 msec for females at screening or prior to dosing. 7. Any psychiatric disorder that would compromise ability to complete study requirements. 8. Currently meets DSM-5 criteria for substance abuse disorder, moderate or severe for any substance other than opioids, caffeine, or nicotine and/or current physical dependence on drugs that pose risk of withdrawal that requires medical management such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. 9. History of suicidal behavior within the last 1 year prior to screening. 10. Participation in a clinical trial of a non-FDA-approved pharmacological agent within 30 days prior to screening. 11. Use of any excluded medication at screening or anticipated/required use during the study period. 12. Subjects with a history of intolerance to morphine. 13. Any finding that, in the view of the principal investigator, would compromise the subject's ability to fulfill the protocol visit schedule or visit requirements.
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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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BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016, United States
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BioXcel Clinical Research Site
Marlton, New Jersey, 08053, United States
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BioXcel Clinical Research Site
New York, New York, 10032, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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