A definable and significant withdrawl syndrome occurs upon cessation of chronic, heavy marijuana use. Bupropion (Zyban) is a medication currently used to treat withdrawl symptoms associated with tobacco use. The purpose of this study is to determine if bupropion will help individuals stop using marijuana.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Marijuana Abuse Substance-Related Disorders	Drug: Bupropion	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Primary Outcomes: Withdrawl severity; measured at Day 21 and on a daily basis
Expected Total Enrollment:  24

A definable and significant withdrawl syndrome occurs upon cessation of chronic, heavy marijuana use. This syndrome includes alterations in mood, sleep disturbances, and cognitive performance. Many of nicotine''''s withdrawl symptoms are similar to those observed with marijuana withdrawl. Bupropion has been shown to be effective in treating nicotine addiction.The purpose of this study is to determine if bupropion is effective in treating marijuana dependent individuals.

Specifically, this study will determine if bupropion alleviates withdrawl symptoms associated with marijuana abuse.

Participants in this 21-day, double-blind study will be randomly assigned to receive either bupropion or placebo. Treatment with bupropion will occur for one week before stopping marijuana use (quit day). Bupropion will be administered at 150 mg per day for 3 days, followed by 300 mg per day for the remainder of the study. Quit day will occur on Day 8, at which time participants will be required to remain abstinent from marijuana for the duration of the study. Participants will provide daily urine specimens. Changes in vigilance, memory, reaction time, and psychomotor performance as well as withdrawl symptoms will be evaluated.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years   -   50 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current marijuana use and dependence
• Marijuana use of at least 5 times in the past 7 days or more than 25 times per month for the 3 years prior to enrollment
• Unsuccessful in a previous attempt to quit marijuana

Exclusion Criteria:

• Axis I disorder
• Any drug abuse or dependence other than marijuana
• Currently taking antipsychotic or antidepressant medication
• Heavy alcohol drinker (more than 20 drinks per week)
• Current nicotine dependence
• History of a seizure disorder
• Current or prior eating disorder (e.g., bulimia or anorexia nervosa)
• Heavy caffeine use (more than 300 mg per day)
• Life threatening or unstable medical illness
• Pregnant

Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier  NCT00142870

Massachusetts
      McLean Hospital, Dept. of Psychiatry, Belmont,  Massachusetts,  02478 9106,  United States; Recruiting

Study chairs or principal investigators

David M Penetar,  Principal Investigator,  Mclean Hospital   

Study ID Numbers:  NIDA-17275-1; R03-17275-1
Last Updated:  September 1, 2005
Record first received:  September 1, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00142870
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-09-06