Mode
Home
Research
Clinical Trials Drug Pipeline Weekly Digests
Reference
Conditions Medications
Community
Questions
Text Size
Log in / Sign up
Home › Conditions › opioid dependence

Opioid dependence

Part of Opioid Use Disorder

2 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for opioid dependence

50 trials tracked for opioid dependence: 16 in phase 3 or 4 and 5 with published results. The most-cited published study has 171 citations.

50Trials tracked
16Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
5With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 6 Phase 3 10 Phase 2 17 Phase 1 3 Other / NA 14
  1. Phase 3 Efficacy, Safety and Dose-Response Study Followed by Open-Label Study of Lofexidine Treatment of Opioid Withdrawal Completed · 171 cited
  2. Phase 3 A Study of Adult Outpatients With Opioid Dependence Transitioned From a Daily SL Buprenorphine to Probuphine® Subdermal Implants Completed · 114 cited
  3. Phase 4 XRB vs. SLB in Jail and at Re-entry: Pilot, Proof of Concept Completed · 63 cited
  4. Phase 3 Treatment Seeking Participants With Opioid Use Disorders Assessing Tolerability of Depot Injections of Buprenorphine Completed · 41 cited
  5. Phase 4 Trial of Injected Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Bupivacaine Infusion After Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures Completed · 11 cited
  6. Phase 4 Usability of Zubsolv Sublingual Tablets 5.7/1.4 to Suboxone Sublingual Film 8/2 In Buprenorphine/Naloxone Treated Opioid Dependent Population Completed
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 4 Gabapentin Regimens and Their Effects on Opioid Consumption Completed
  2. Phase 4 A Study of VIVITROL in the Prevention of Re-arrest and Re-incarceration Completed
  3. Phase 4 Relapse Prevention to Reduce HIV Among Women Prisoners Completed
  4. Phase 3 Dane County Drug Court Study for Addicted Offenders Completed
  5. Phase 3 Buprenorphine/Naloxone Stabilization and Induction Onto Injection Naltrexone Completed
  6. Phase 3 Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Dependence Completed
  7. Phase 3 Memantine-enhanced Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid-dependent Young Adults Completed
  8. Phase 3 Dronabinol Naltrexone Treatment for Opioid Dependence Completed
  9. Phase 3 RCT Comparing Methadone and Buprenorphine in Pregnant Women Completed
  10. Phase 3 Memantine as a Supplement to Naltrexone in Treating Heroin Dependence Completed
  11. Phase 2 Glutamatergic Modulation to Facilitate Naltrexone Initiation in Opioid Dependence Completed
  12. Phase 2 Memantine and Naltrexone Treatment for Opioid Dependence Completed
  13. Phase 2 Improving Buprenorphine Detoxification Outcomes With Isradipine Completed
  14. Phase 2 Prescription Opioid Abuse Among Pain Patients: Predictors of Relapse Completed
  15. Phase 2 Gabapentin Treatment of Benzodiazepine Abuse in Methadone Maintenance Patients Completed
  16. Phase 2 Oxytocin Treatment of Opioid Dependence Completed
  17. Phase 2 Remote Observed Dosing of Suboxone to Improve Clinical Practice Completed
  18. Phase 2 Effects of Gabapentin Versus Placebo on Buprenorphine Detoxification of Opioid-dependent Individuals Completed
  19. Phase 2 A Within Subject Comparison of Opioid Withdrawal in Opioid Dependent Individuals Completed
  20. Phase 2 HOPE Consortium Trial to Reduce Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Completed
  21. Phase 2 Naltrexone for Opioid Dependent Released Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive (HIV+) Criminal Justice Populations Completed
  22. Phase 2 Effects of Ibudilast on Oxycodone Self-administration in Opioid Abusers Completed
  23. Phase 2 The Separate and Combined Effects of Vivitrol and Opiate Abstinence Reinforcement in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Completed
  24. Phase 2 Pharmacogenetics of Disulfiram for Cocaine Completed
  25. Phase 2 Medications Development for Drug Abuse Disorders Completed
  26. Phase 2 Medical Management of Sleep Disturbance During Opioid Tapering Completed
  27. Phase 2 An Open Label Study To Assess The Safety And Tolerability Of BEMA® Buprenorphine NX In Opioid Dependent Subjects Completed
  28. Phase 1 Drug Interaction and Subjective Effects of Compounds for Opioid Use Disorder Completed
  29. Phase 1 Re-entry XR-NTX for Rural Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder Completed
  30. Phase 1 INDV-2000 First in Human Completed
  31. N/A Improving Effective Contraceptive Use Among Opioid-maintained Women: Stage II Completed
  32. N/A Comparing Two Training Methods for Opioid Wizard Completed
  33. N/A Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Opioid Stewardship Program in Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Pain Completed
  34. N/A The Effects of Minocycline in Opioid-maintained Patients Completed
  35. N/A tDCS to Decrease Opioid Relapse (UG3) Completed
  36. N/A Testing a Community-Friendly Risk Reduction Intervention for Injection Drug Users Completed
  37. N/A Efficiency And Quality In Post-Surgical Pain Therapy After Discharge Completed
  38. N/A SMART Effectiveness Trial Completed
  39. N/A Change the Cycle: An RCT to Prevent Injection Initiation Completed
  40. N/A The Life STORRIED Study Completed
  41. N/A Completion of OST - a Prospective Study Completed
  42. N/A Friendship Bench Adaptation to Improve Mental Health & HIV Care Engagement Outcomes Among PLWH and PWID in Vietnam Completed
  43. N/A Comparing Interventions for Opioid Dependent Patients Presenting in Medical Emergency Departments Completed
  44. N/A Addiction, HIV and Tuberculosis in Malaysian Criminal Justice Settings Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 50 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Opioid dependence: what the trials found

Buprenorphine-based treatments show significant efficacy in reducing illicit opioid use and improving treatment outcomes. Sublingual buprenorphine tablets demonstrated a high responder rate, with 81% of patients showing no more than two months of illicit opioid use 9. Additionally, SUBOXONE was associated with significantly higher rates of urine samples negative for opioids and higher treatment success rates compared to other groups 10.

Vivitrol (naltrexone) demonstrated significant clinical benefits in reducing the incidence of opioid use 6 and improving retention in treatment over a 12-week period 17. Lofexidine HCl was also shown to significantly improve scores on the Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS-Gossop) 8.

Other pharmacological interventions include methadone, which showed significant differences in maternal psychosocial functioning at delivery 14, and memantine, which demonstrated a statistically significant change in opioid use from week 1 to week 13 15. Gabapentin was also evaluated as an intervention for this condition 22.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Isoniazid was studied in a prison setting; however, the results for TB treatment completion rates did not reach statistical significance (p=0.08) 1.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Buprenorphine and SUBOXONE are supported by evidence for reducing illicit opioid use and improving treatment success rates [9, 10].
  • Vivitrol is associated with reduced opioid use and improved treatment retention [6, 17].
  • Lofexidine HCl significantly improves scores on the SOWS-Gossop withdrawal scale 8.

AI synthesis of 9 cited trials, updated Jun 24, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Meta-analysis shows methadone exposure linked to higher NAS incidence and treatment needs versus buprenorphine in pregnant women
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis shows methadone exposure linked to higher NAS incidence and treatment needs versus buprenorphine in pregnant women Buprenorphine-based therapies reduce neonatal abstinence syndrome risk compared to methadone in pregnant women
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated buprenorphine-based therapies and methadone in pregnant opioid-dependent women.
A large review of 5,524 pregnant women found babies exposed to buprenorphine had lower rates of withdrawal symptoms and needed less medicati…
May 1, 2026
Combination buprenorphine and psychotherapy linked to highest remission rates in opioid dependence patients
Psychiatry Cohort
Combination buprenorphine and psychotherapy linked to highest remission rates in opioid dependence patients Combining buprenorphine and therapy boosts remission rates for opioid dependence
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 18,047 adults aged 18–45 with opioid dependence across 112 U.S.
In a large study, pairing buprenorphine with psychotherapy showed the strongest link to remission from opioid use disorder compared to no tr…
Frontiers Apr 28, 2026

Research across Opioid Use Disorder

Related studies from across the Opioid Use Disorder family.

Identifying Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in Collaborative Care for Opioid Use Disorder
Psychiatry RCT
Identifying Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in Collaborative Care for Opioid Use Disorder Identifying Barriers to Mental Health Care for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
A secondary analysis of a collaborative care model reveals significant barriers to counseling and medication for patients with co-occurring …
New data shows that certain factors like stimulant use and lower education can make it harder for patients to get mental health help.
Oct 9, 2026
Collaborative care improves depression severity in low-complexity patients with OUD and depression
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
Collaborative care improves depression severity in low-complexity patients with OUD and depression Collaborative care helps some patients with opioid use and depression
This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial involving 797 adults with OUD, depression, and/or PTSD found that collaborative care …
Collaborative care may improve depression symptoms for some patients with opioid use disorder, depending on the complexity of their mental h…
Oct 5, 2026
AI and machine learning tools show potential for screening and managing substance use disorders
Psychiatry Sys. Review
AI and machine learning tools show potential for screening and managing substance use disorders Artificial intelligence shows promise in managing substance use disorders
This narrative review explores the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in managing alcohol, opioid, and cannabis use disord…
New data shows that artificial intelligence tools can help reduce hospital readmissions and relapse risks for people struggling with alcohol…
Frontiers Sep 22, 2026
Proposed network meta-analysis aims to establish evidence hierarchy for non-pharmacological opioid use disorder interventions
Primary Care & Family Medicine Meta-analysis
Proposed network meta-analysis aims to establish evidence hierarchy for non-pharmacological opioid use disorder interventions Comparing Non-Pharmacological Treatments for People with Opioid Use Disorder
This is a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis regarding non-pharmacological interventions for opioid use disorder. Th…
Doctors are planning a large study to see if non-drug therapies can work as well as methadone or buprenorphine for patients.
Frontiers Sep 16, 2026
Stimulant use is associated with increased social needs and severity in patients with opioid use disorder
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
Stimulant use is associated with increased social needs and severity in patients with opioid use disorder Stimulant use linked to harder road for opioid treatment
This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between stimulant use and clinical outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder and co…
Patients using cocaine or methamphetamine face more severe symptoms and fewer treatment resources for opioid use and mental health issues.
Sep 6, 2026
No genetic loci reached genome-wide significance for inpatient opioid exposure after joint arthroplasty
Genetics & Precision Medicine Meta-analysis
No genetic loci reached genome-wide significance for inpatient opioid exposure after joint arthroplasty Genetic Research Looks at Opioid Use After Joint Replacement Surgery
This meta-analysis of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyzed 27,896 patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty to identify geneti…
Researchers analyzed the genetic data of over 27,000 patients to see if specific genes predict how much opioid medication a person needs aft…
medRxiv Aug 7, 2026
Methadone shows significantly higher treatment retention than buprenorphine-naloxone in patients with Opioid Use Disorder
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Meta-analysis
Methadone shows significantly higher treatment retention than buprenorphine-naloxone in patients with Opioid Use Disorder Methadone beats buprenorphine for opioid treatment retention
This meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials involving 3622 patients found that methadone is associated with significantly higher tr…
Methadone keeps more people in opioid treatment than buprenorphine-naloxone, but the combo drug has fewer serious side effects.
Jul 7, 2026
Opioid Wizard tool increases primary care clinician confidence in screening, diagnosing, and referring patients for OUD
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
Opioid Wizard tool increases primary care clinician confidence in screening, diagnosing, and referring patients for OUD Digital Tool Improves Clinician Confidence in Managing Opioid Use Disorder
This secondary analysis of an RCT evaluates the Opioid Wizard clinical decision support tool's impact on primary care clinicians managing op…
A new digital decision support tool helps primary care doctors feel more confident when screening and diagnosing patients with opioid use di…
Jul 6, 2026
19 genome-wide significant loci identify genetic architecture and high correlations with other substance use disorders
Genetics & Precision Medicine Meta-analysis
19 genome-wide significant loci identify genetic architecture and high correlations with other substance use disorders Genes linked to stimulant addiction found in largest study yet
This meta-analysis of 709,369 individuals identifies 19 genome-wide significant loci associated with Stimulant Use Disorder. The study also …
Scientists found 19 genetic regions tied to stimulant addiction, including one linked to obesity. The study of over 700,000 people also show…
medRxiv Jun 11, 2026
High-dose buprenorphine induction protocol for Opioid Use Disorder in emergency department settings
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
High-dose buprenorphine induction protocol for Opioid Use Disorder in emergency department settings New plan to test high-dose buprenorphine for opioid use disorder
This randomized clinical trial protocol describes a plan to evaluate high-dose buprenorphine induction for patients with moderate-to-severe …
A new clinical trial plans to see if higher doses of buprenorphine can help more people with opioid use disorder start treatment in the emer…
Jun 9, 2026
Intranasal naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression in opioid-naive and daily users within 2 to 17 minutes
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
Intranasal naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression in opioid-naive and daily users within 2 to 17 minutes Narcan nasal spray reverses opioid breathing depression quickly
This prospective crossover trial enrolled 12 opioid-naive individuals and 18 daily opioid users.
Narcan nasal spray restored breathing within minutes in opioid users, but some had delayed or incomplete recovery.
May 1, 2026
Nicotinic partial agonists show no effect on opioid use in HIV-positive smokers
Infectious Disease RCT
Nicotinic partial agonists show no effect on opioid use in HIV-positive smokers New data on nicotine treatment for HIV patients who use opioids
This secondary analysis of a randomized trial in 97 HIV-positive smokers with risky alcohol use and baseline opioid use found no significant…
A new look at nicotine treatment for HIV patients who use opioids found no difference in opioid use between two drug groups.
May 1, 2026