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Vilazodone for cannabis dependence: A randomized, controlled pilot trial
Author(s) -
McRaeClark Aimee L.,
Baker Nathaniel L.,
Gray Kevin M.,
Killeen Therese,
Hartwell Karen J.,
Simonian Susan J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12324
Subject(s) - cannabis , cannabis dependence , placebo , cannabinoid , randomized controlled trial , craving , contingency management , medicine , psychiatry , psychology , intervention (counseling) , cannabidiol , addiction , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology
Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of vilazodone, a selective serotonin receptor inhibitor and partial 5‐HT1A agonist, for treatment of cannabis dependence. Methods Seventy‐six cannabis‐dependent adults were randomized to receive either up to 40 mg/day of vilazodone ( n = 41) or placebo ( n = 35) for 8 weeks combined with a brief motivational enhancement therapy intervention and contingency management to encourage study retention. Cannabis use outcomes were assessed via weekly urine cannabinoid tests; secondary outcomes included cannabis use self‐report and cannabis craving. Results Participants in both groups reported reduced self‐reported cannabis use over the course of the study; however, vilazodone provided no advantage over placebo in reducing cannabis use. Men had significantly lower creatinine‐adjusted cannabinoid levels and a trend for increased negative urine cannabinoid tests than women. Discussion and Conclusions Vilazodone was not more efficacious than placebo in reducing cannabis use. Important gender differences were noted, with women having worse cannabis use outcomes than men. Scientific Significance Further medication development efforts for cannabis use disorders are needed, and gender should be considered as an important variable in future trials. (Am J Addict 2016;25:69–75)