Opioid use disorder (OUD) drives tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the United States alone, and effective treatment with buprenorphine or methadone dramatically reduces mortality — yet most people with OUD don't receive these medications. Research focuses on expanding access, improving medications, and addressing the polysubstance reality of modern overdose.
What's actually going on in research
Extended-release buprenorphine formulations given monthly or bimonthly are making treatment more accessible by removing daily dispensing requirements. Naloxone formulations — including nasal sprays and long-acting injectable versions — are being tested to reduce fatal overdoses in community settings. New approaches targeting the kappa-opioid receptor and using psychedelic-assisted therapy are in early trials for treatment-resistant OUD.
Long-acting buprenorphine
Monthly and bimonthly subcutaneous buprenorphine implants and injections eliminate daily dosing, improving adherence and removing barriers for people with unstable housing or work schedules.
Overdose prevention
Extended-release naloxone formulations, bystander training programs, and take-home naloxone distribution models are being evaluated for their impact on overdose death rates in communities.
Novel receptor targets
Drugs targeting the kappa-opioid receptor and nociceptin receptor pathways aim to reduce craving and withdrawal without the misuse potential of current medications.
What to know before you search
Eligibility requires an OUD diagnosis, often specifies current opioid use or recent relapse, and some trials require prior treatment failure or focus on specific settings like criminal justice or emergency departments.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing new or improved formulations of buprenorphine, methadone, or novel medications for OUD.
- Overdose prevention trials — Evaluating naloxone distribution strategies, fentanyl test strips, and overdose prevention centers.
- Behavioral therapy trials — Testing contingency management, app-based support, and peer recovery coaching alongside medication.
- Criminal justice trials — Testing medication initiation in jails, prisons, and during re-entry to prevent post-release overdose.
- Polysubstance use trials — Testing approaches for people using opioids alongside stimulants, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.
Recently added Opioid Use Disorder trials
Evaluation of the Stress Response in Anesthesia Use Inhalation Anesthetic (Desflurane) Versus TIVA for Bariatric Surgery
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of Opioid Free Anesthesia (OFA) with and without volatile anesthetics (in this case desflurane) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The main question it aims to answer : -Will there be a difference in the perioperative stress between patients receiving OFA with and without desflurane? Participants will undergoing sleeve gastrectomy or gastric by pass, will be administered OFA with and without desflurane and blood tests (cortisole, ACTH,dopamine, PRL, adrenaline, noradrenaline, lactate) will be collected perioperatively to compare stress in the two groups.
Systematic Examination of Health Inequalities: Documentation, Patterns, and Determinants
The existence of social inequalities is a major global issue and a salient challenge for the European Union. During COVID-19 pandemic, health disparities became more evident. Indeed, the low-income residents in several European countries, including Greece, had limited access to the healthcare system for several reasons. In addition, vulnerable populations, with patients suffering from opioid use disorders and incarcerated individuals being among them, do not have the same chances regarding health services, compared to the general population. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity is a key non-pharmaceutical intervention for both prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and address of social health inequalities. Thus, this study will focus on specific population groups of the Region of Thessaly, Greece, who have limited access to healthcare services. It aims, primarily, to the assessment of demographic characteristics (i.e., body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, educational level etc), which are fundamental parameters for the assessment of health inequalities. Secondly, quality of life, physical activity levels and biomarkers in the level of Biochemistry (i.e., blood oxidative stress and inflammation) and Physiology (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition) will be collected a well. All data will be integrated into an interactive digital platform that will be accessible by any putative stakeholder in the area of health system or administration. Based on scientifically robust data and evidence-based findings, the research team of the project will draft recommendations and guidelines that will be communicated to all stakeholders. To that end, the problem of limited access to health system that the examined populations face, will be highlighted and targeted actions and policies are expected to be adopted by local (i.e., in the province of Thessaly) and national (i.e., Greek) authorities. In this respect, non-pharmaceutical interventions and guidelines will be proposed towards the trajectory of holistically approaching the issue of health inequalities.
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