New sublingual film could make opioid withdrawal less miserable
NCT ID NCT05712707
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a new sublingual film called BXCL501 (dexmedetomidine) to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of opioid withdrawal, like anxiety, muscle pain, and nausea. About 160 adults with opioid use disorder will receive the drug, a placebo, or an existing medication (lofexidine) during a 7-day inpatient stay. The goal is to see if BXCL501 is safer and works better than current options.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- BXCL501 (dexmedetomidine sublingual film)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a safer, non-opioid option to manage withdrawal symptoms and help people start treatment for opioid use disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 160 participants, and one site is paused. The drug may not prove safer or more effective than existing options like lofexidine.
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
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
About 160 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Feb 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Capable of understanding and complying with the protocol. * 18 years of age or older but less than 60 years old. * Has opioid use disorder moderate-to-severe (304.00) as per DSM-V, and physiological dependence on opioids. * Females agree to use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Positive urine or serum pregnancy test at screening, after admission, planning to become pregnant during the course of the trial, or currently breast feeding. * Clinically significant history of cardiac disease, including syncope, bradycardia, conduction abnormalities, orthostatic hypotension or blood pressure disorders. Heart rate and blood pressure at screening and baseline of \< 50 beats per minute or systolic blood pressure \<105, \>150 mmHg or diastolic BP \<70, \>90 mmHg. * Clinically significant medical condition or observed abnormalities (including: physical examination, hypotension, laboratory evaluation, and/or urinalysis findings). Clinically significant abnormal ECG such as second- or third-degree heart block, uncontrolled arrhythmia, or QTc interval \> 450 msec for males, and \> 470 msec for females. * Evidence of hepatic abnormalities, including: ascites, bilirubin \>10% above upper limit of normal and/or esophageal variceal disease, active hepatitis/aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase \>3x the upper limit of normal. * Any psychiatric disorder that would compromise ability to complete study requirements \[e.g. severe acute depression, active mania, or suicidality with specific plan and intent (assessed using the CSSRS)\]. * Not being able to provide a negative urine for methadone or buprenorphine at screening. * Use of oral naltrexone for ≥7 consecutive days within 60 days prior to screening. * Need for alcohol or benzodiazepine detoxification. * Participation in a clinical trial of a pharmacological agent within 30 days prior to screening. * Use of any concomitant medication at screening or anticipated/required use during the study period that the investigators feel may impact participant safety or interfere with the aims of the trial (e.g., daily licit or illicit benzodiazepine use). * 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. * Investigator-site personnel or immediate family of investigator-site personnel.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Opioid use disorder are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
CenExel HRI
Marlton, New Jersey, 08053, United States
-
Clinilabs
Eatontown, New Jersey, 07724, United States
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, 10032, United States
-
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, 06519, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can exercise boost brain and body health during opioid treatment?
- Can a new drug calm the storm of opioid withdrawal?
- Can coaching turn rural clinics into One-Stop shops for addiction and infectious disease care?
- Can a Phone-Based platform keep people in opioid treatment?
- A safety net after jail: can checkups keep opioid treatment on track?
- Can AI and peer support close the opioid treatment gap?