Opioid use disorder affects millions of Americans and can involve prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl. Standard treatment combines medications like buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone with counseling and support. Despite effective treatments, many people struggle to access care or stay in treatment long-term.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing longer-acting formulations that require less frequent dosing, depot injections that last weeks or months, and new medications targeting different brain pathways. Researchers are studying ways to treat overdose more effectively, prevent relapse after detox, and address the pain conditions that often lead to opioid use in the first place.
Long-acting formulations
Monthly and even six-month depot versions of buprenorphine are in testing. These could eliminate daily dosing and reduce barriers for people who can't access clinics regularly.
Novel mechanisms
Drugs targeting orexin receptors, kappa opioid receptors, and other brain systems are being tested to reduce cravings without requiring opioid replacement. Some aim to treat both addiction and co-occurring depression or anxiety.
Overdose reversal
Newer formulations of naloxone work faster or last longer to counter fentanyl overdoses. Research is also testing injectable naltrexone given right after overdose to prevent immediate relapse.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on duration of opioid use, current use patterns, prior treatment attempts, and willingness to participate in counseling or monitoring.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing new formulations of buprenorphine, naltrexone, or entirely new medications to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
- Long-acting depot trials — Testing monthly or longer-lasting injections that eliminate the need for daily medication.
- Overdose prevention trials — Testing better naloxone formulations and strategies to reverse overdoses and prevent repeat events.
- Withdrawal management trials — Testing medications that make detox safer and more tolerable, often combined with transition to maintenance treatment.
- Combination therapy trials — Testing medications combined with counseling, smartphone apps, or other support to improve outcomes.
Recently added Opioid Use Disorder trials
Cannabidiol in Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain With Buprenorphine
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover human laboratory study investigating the dose-dependent safety and acute effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on measures of pain and opioid craving in outpatients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine. With a duration of approximately 4 weeks, participants will come to the testing site for a total of five times: one initial screening session, and four experimental sessions where study medication, CBD, will be administered, separated by at least 72 hours to limit carryover effects.
A Study of Cebranopadol for Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms in Adults With Chronic Pain
This Phase 2 study will evaluate whether multiple doses of cebranopadol suppress opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms compared with placebo in adults with chronic pain who are physically dependent on prescribed opioids. Participants whose physical dependence is confirmed will be assigned by chance to one of two cebranopadol dose regimens or matching placebo. The study will also evaluate pain, safety and tolerability, and cebranopadol pharmacokinetics.
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