A Trial of N-Acetylcysteine (an Over-the-Counter Medicine) in Adolescents Who Smoke Marijuana



Status:Completed
Conditions:Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:13 - 21
Updated:11/23/2018
Start Date:September 2009
End Date:August 2011

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

A Controlled Trial of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Cannabis Dependent Adolescents

This study is investigating how N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an over-the-counter medication, will
reduce marijuana use when combined with Contingency Management, a behavioral treatment. It is
hypothesized that marijuana dependent adolescents who are treated with NAC will use less
marijuana during treatment when compared to adolescents who receive a placebo.

This protocol involves investigation of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) as a pharmacological treatment
for cannabis dependence in adolescents. While recent advances have been made in psychosocial
treatments for cannabis dependent adolescents, minimal work has been done to investigate the
potential adjunctive role for pharmacotherapy in treatment. NAC is an inexpensive,
over-the-counter agent with a favorable tolerability profile in adults and children, in
common use since FDA approval in 1963. Preclinical and preliminary clinical research in
adults suggests a role for NAC in addiction treatment via glutamate modulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 13-21 years

- Regular Marijuana smoker meeting DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence and seeking
marijuana cessation treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

- Allergy or intolerance to NAC

- Pregnancy or lactation

- Use of carbamazepine or nitroglycerine (or any other drug deemed to be hazardous if
taken with NAC) within 14 days of study participation

- Current enrollment in treatment for cannabis dependence

- Current substance dependence, other than cannabis or nicotine

- Significant medical or psychiatric illness that may place the participant at increased
risk in the judgement of the study physician
We found this trial at
1
site
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
843-792-1414
Medical University of South Carolina The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has grown from...
?
mi
from
Charleston, SC
Click here to add this to my saved trials