A new study to treat methamphetamine use disorder

Stimulants such as methamphetamine are currently contributing to the evolving opioid overdose crisis.

Substance use, particularly the use of stimulants and opioids in the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic, are a major public health problem. 

Unlike the robust evidence that supports the use of medications for opioid use disorder, medications for methamphetamine use disorder with co-occurring opioid misuse are not yet available.  

Dr. Judith Tsui, professor (General Internal Medicine) is site-PI for Monthly Injectable Buprenorphine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MURB), a multi-site, over $8M study sponsored by the NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

This study will investigate the use of injectable buprenorphine compared to injectable placebo for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder among individuals with mild co-use of opioids.

"Physicians today are stymied by lack of available, effective treatments for patients with methamphetamine use disorder," says Tsui.  "I am excited to be a part of this important study that may pave the way toward having more treatment options for my patients."

Other Department of Medicine faculty involved in the study include Dr. Elenore Bhatraju as study physician and Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio, who directs UW Positive Research.