Vilazodone for cannabis dependence: A randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Aimee L McRae-Clark, Nathaniel L Baker, Kevin M Gray, Therese Killeen, Karen J Hartwell, Susan J Simonian
• Journal: The American journal on addictions (Am J Addict) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 69-75 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1521-0391 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26685701 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: © American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Vilazodone Hydrochloride

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Marijuana Abuse (drug therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Motivational Interviewing
• Pilot Projects
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Sex Characteristics
• Treatment Outcome
• Vilazodone Hydrochloride (therapeutic use)
• Young Adult