Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N-Acetylcysteine Treatment
Condition: Cannabis Dependence
MeSH terms: Marijuana Abuse
Intervention: N-Acetylcysteine; Placebo
Intervention description: Study participants randomly assigned to the NAC arm will receive a 12-week course of N-Acetylcysteine (1200mg) twice daily. All participants will concurrently participate in weekly medication management sessions and twice-weekly contingency management interventions.; Study participants randomly assigned to the placebo arm will receive a matched placebo twice daily. All participants will concurrently participate in weekly medication management sessions and twice-weekly contingency management interventions.
Intervention MeSH terms: Acetylcysteine; N-monoacetylcystine
Phase: Phase 3
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Enrollment: 302.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Maximum age: 50 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

Summary:

      The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1200
      mg versus matched placebo (PBO) twice daily, added to contingency management (CM), on
      cannabis use among treatment-seeking cannabis-dependent adults (ages 18-50).
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Age 18-50 years

          -  Must be able to understand the study and provide written informed consent

          -  Must meet current DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence in the last 30 days

          -  Must express interest in treatment for cannabis dependence

          -  Must submit a positive urine cannabinoid test during screening

          -  Women of child bearing potential must agree to use appropriate birth control methods
             during study participation: oral contraceptives, contraceptive patch, barrier
             (diaphragm or condom), levonorgestrel implant, medroxyprogesterone acetate, complete
             abstinence from sexual intercourse, or hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring

        Exclusion Criteria:

          -  Allergy or intolerance to N-Acetylcysteine

          -  Women who are pregnant or lactating

          -  Current use of NAC or any supplement containing N-Acetylcysteine (must agree not to
             take any such supplement throughout study participation)

          -  Use of carbamazepine or nitroglycerin within 14 days of randomization

          -  Current enrollment in treatment for cannabis dependence

          -  Any use of synthetic cannabinoids (such as K2/Spice) in the 30 days prior to screening
             or during the period between screening and randomization

          -  Current substance dependence, other than cannabis or nicotine

          -  Urine drug screen positive for any drug of abuse other than cannabis or amphetamines
             at the randomization visit (Only participants who have a valid prescription for
             amphetamines (e.g., for ADHD) may be included)

          -  Urine drug screen positive for amphetamines at the randomization visit without having
             a valid prescription for it

          -  Maintenance treatment with buprenorphine or methadone

          -  Recent history of asthma (within the last 3 years)

          -  History of seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other significant or
             unstable medical or psychiatric illness that may place the participant at increased
             risk in the judgment of the medical clinician

          -  Significant risk of homicide or suicide